# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1899_S80
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

80 Proceedings of the 24th General, or

Emigrant Mission.

1. In New York.

"The report on the three years 1896 to 1898, which the Emigrant Mission
Commission at New York hereby renders to the Reverend Synod, again reads
less favorably than earlier reports. For in recent years, too, German
immigration has declined compared with previous years. As a result, the
income of the Pilgerhaus [Pilgrim House] has grown smaller from year to
year. It should be acknowledged that many Scandinavians are still being
brought to us through the Norwegian emigrant missionary living in our house,
the Rev. Pastor E. Petersen. Even so, the situation remains that the
Pilgerhaus, through lodging guests, arranging steamship and railroad
tickets, and handling money transfers to and from Germany, cannot earn
enough to cover all running expenses, including the salary of our
missionary. Nor has our mission, in the last three years, received from our
congregations the support it should have had; indeed, at the close of this
term there remains a deficit of $1790.80 in the mission treasury.
Nonetheless, the work of our Emigrant Mission remains so necessary and
important for the future that giving up this branch of Home Missions is
simply not to be considered.

"In the three years covered by this report, the Pilgerhaus lodged 8,886
guests, 2,776 fewer than in the preceding years. 2,552 free meals were
provided and 790 free nights' lodging granted. Counting travel money given
for onward journeys as well, the support given to the poor amounts to
$829.26. Advances to those without means were made in the amount of
$1,305.00. Often the momentary want of means among immigrants can be
relieved in no other way than by such temporary advances, which are to be
repaid. It goes without saying that our missionary is very careful in
making such advances and grants them only on the recommendation of
conscientious persons known to him.

"Letters and postcards received numbered 8,766; sent, 7,625. Distributed to
immigrants were 3,400 calendars, 6,000 tracts, sermons, church papers, and
the like. On the Pilgerhaus, which, owing to its very favorable location, is
steadily rising in value, there still rests a debt of $6,249.25, a sum,
however, that is covered by interest-free loans.

"In Hamburg, Mr. Vopel remains in our service. Because of low income and a
lack of funds, the question of whether we should not give up this post has
pressed upon us more than once. But every time, upon mature