# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1884_S76
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

76   Proceedings of the 19th General [Synod], or

and could have done beforehand in such a costly matter. But there are
also people of an anxious disposition who think that whatever is
asked of the congregations by a resolution of the Synod may not be
left uncarried-out by them. — It is therefore in any case best to lay
this matter before the congregations for discussion first, before we
pass resolutions on it here in the Synod.

    Resolved, that a memorial be drawn up and circulated in our
congregations, in which the necessity of acquiring an emigrant house
in New York is set forth in a clear and convincing manner.

    Resolved, that the Commission of the Emigrant Mission at New
York see to the preparation of such a memorial, or rather charge a
man capable of accomplishing what is expected with regard to such a
memorial with its preparation.

                2. In Baltimore.

    ". . . The mission work among the immigrants in this port (at
Baltimore) has, in this period, through God's help and assistance,
had a good course, indeed a real time of flourishing. Immigration was
among the greatest that history has thus far recorded, and it was
therefore granted to us to help, with counsel and action, not merely
a few but many in their various needs and difficulties, and at the
same time to set them right spiritually through word and writing.
Many of our congregations in the West will have telling proof, in
such persons in their midst, of those who have been brought into
their midst through the service of the emigrant missionaries, and
many a poor father of a family who was helped out of difficulty
blesses the Synod, as appears from many letters, for the care and the
work it has done for them through its agents at the ports.

    "Meanwhile, because our work and the manner in which it is
conducted, as well as its necessity and usefulness, have gradually
become quite well known through the annual reports, it will probably
suffice if we here give only a condensed overview of our agent's
activity within the last three years and of the state of the
treasury.

    "In 1881 our agent, W. Sallmann, forwarded 696 parties; in 1882,
904; in 1883, 1185; total, 2785 persons. — In 1881 the agent received
516 letters and cards; in 1882, 685; in 1883, 724; total, 1925. — In
1881 the agent wrote 473 letters and cards; in 1882, 605; in 1883,
656; total, 1734. — This shows a steady increase in his work in every
category from year to year. But it becomes truly clear how extensive
our work has become only when one compares it