# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1887_S24
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

24 Proceedings of the 20th General or

about $24,000 was spent. Although still without unified central
direction, the work is nevertheless done in one and the same spirit.
And with success. Again and again our zealous traveling preachers
[Reiſeprediger] seek out and find new little flocks gathering around
their word. Again and again mere preaching stations become organized,
self-sustaining congregations. Especially in the northwestern states
and territories our outposts advance step by step, forming a long
chain. But in the East and South too, door after door is opening to
us. The sum collected for this work is truly not small either. And yet
— what is this among so many! How small the portion still is that
falls to each one of us individually! How much more could be done if
each of us truly realized that, after preserving the Word in his own
congregation and promoting it through our educational institutions, it
is plainly his next duty to bring this Word also to those who do not
have it — and among these, first of all, to those who once had it but
have since lost it, and who now, in part, so earnestly beg that their
brothers, already provided for, take them up!

Although the Negro Mission [Negermiſſion], as is well known, is not
strictly an undertaking of our Synod but the work of the whole
Synodical Conference, I cannot fail — especially since I again had
occasion to look into it myself — to bear witness anew that it is still
being excellently directed, energetically carried on, and blessed with
real success.

Our Jewish Mission [Judenmiſſion] has unfortunately had to endure
very sad experiences with the majority of its converts. That should
not, in fairness, surprise us too greatly. Still less does it release us
from our duty to seek out, as far as we are able, the lost sheep of the
house of Israel as well. To be sure, it should make us cautious
regarding the manner in which this work is outwardly conducted — and
it has done so. Whereas formerly those who declared themselves
willing to receive instruction were mostly taken into the mission
house, the missionary now instead goes after his fellow countrymen in
boarding houses, workshops, and at family gatherings, and grants
someone temporary shelter in his own residence only as an exception
and with the commission's consent.

As for the Mission to the Heathen [Heidenmiſſion], the relevant report
— which is specifically endorsed on one point by the Michigan District
— once again this time urges our duty upon us in warm words, and in
doing so draws our attention to Korea and Japan. On the other hand,
the commission — and without doubt rightly — has firmly declined the
offer of a missionary who had left its society to continue his work in
Africa in the name of our Synod.

Since all the districts have more or less decisively spoken out in favor
of it, and none of them lodges any protest against it, that the support
given to needy widows and