# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1887_S62
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

62 Proceedings of the 20th General or

distribution, requested 'at the very least' $200.00. The Southern District
wanted $800.00; the Minnesota-Dakota District likewise $800.00; the
Western District wished $1000.00 for the whole year, so $250.00 for now;
making a sum of $2050.00. In the treasury of the General Synod there
was $795.71; to this was added $800.00 from the treasury of the Illinois
District. Total $1595.71. The shortfall thus came to more than $454.00.
But since the Nebraska District had not applied, we believed we ought to
keep $95.71 in the treasury, so as to be able to help in case of need after
all, and therefore distributed $1500.00. Of this the Iowa District
received $200.00; the Southern $500.00; Minnesota-Dakota
$500.00, and the Western District $300.00."*)

"A summary in round numbers, and based only on a partial estimate
on our part, shows that in the last half of the year 1884 $3620.00 was
requested and could be paid out in full. In the year 1885 $9210.00 was
requested and $3431.00 paid out; deficit $5779.00. In the year 1886
$8980.00 was requested and $6158.00 paid out; deficit $2822.00. For the
first half of the year 1887 (through the end of June) $4400.00 was
requested and $1801.00 paid out; deficit $2599.00. In all, since the last
Delegate Synod, $26,210.00 was requested and $15,010.00 paid out;
deficit $11,200.00. — Let it once more be recalled that for the first half
of the current year a deficit of $2599.00 must be recorded, and for the
present quarter one of $1681.15, and — July 1 is not far off!

"Such, then, is the present state of the great and highly important
work of Home Missions, laid upon us by God, and of its prosecution
through active love. This state of affairs speaks strongly enough for itself
and needs, we think, no further words.

"But should anyone ask: how, then, has this work been able to
continue and go forward at all? Our answer is: several of the districts in
question, or perhaps all of them, have again and again, or at least fairly
often, held collections and special gatherings within their own circles to
relieve their need — which is the need of us all. Yet that may, after all, be
only a partial explanation, and never a complete one.

"From what has been said it follows clearly, we believe, that the
necessity exists that, during the present sessions of the Reverend Synod,

*) It may be permitted to pass over, in this report of the General Mission
Commission, the next five quarters up to this year's Delegate Synod, i.e. through the
end of June. They are the same demands, the same need, which — only still more
sharply — repeat themselves again and again. From what precedes and what follows,
the dear congregations will sufficiently see what task is set before the treasury for
Home Missions, and how, accordingly, every single one should for his own part labor
unceasingly to see to it that this treasury be put in a position to meet its
expenditures. (Note of the Secretary.)

[SCAN: faint word-fragments show through on the right margin from the facing page (p-069); not transcribed.]