# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1899_S92
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

92 Proceedings of the 24th General, or

Resolved, that the widow of the late missionary Landsmann receive, from now
on, a support of $240.00 annually, and that the amount of this sum be
provided from the General Relief Fund.

Resolved, that the delegates of the assembled Synod be encouraged to bring
up the cause of the Jewish Mission specifically in their congregations and
to work toward a more generous remembrance of this mission's treasury.

Resolved, that the Commission for the Jewish Mission be required to attach
a treasurer's report, with vouchers, to its report to the General Synod.

Deaf-Mute Mission.

"In accordance with a resolution of the Reverend Delegate Synod assembled
at Fort Wayne, Ind., in 1896, the Commission for the Deaf-Mute Mission
called, in 1896, two young candidates for the preaching ministry into the
Deaf-Mute Mission, namely Mr. Candidate H. A. Bentrup to Louisville, Ky.,
and Mr. Candidate Traug. Wangerin to Milwaukee, Wis. In 1897 the first
Evangelical Lutheran deaf-mute congregation, 'Our Redeemer's,' in Chicago,
which up to then had been served by Pastor A. Reinke, Sr., called Candidate
Arthur L. Reinke. These three missionaries have since worked among the
deaf-mutes of this country with great zeal and blessing. The sign language
in which they preach the Gospel they mastered in a short time, and they
soon gained an understanding of how best to instruct those who have a
closed ear and a bound tongue. Besides their regular Sunday sermons, they
have given the deaf-mutes instruction in the catechism and Bible history
during the week. Those deaf-mutes not already trained in sign language they
must first teach the signs themselves. Their work among the deaf-mutes is
therefore bound up with many hindrances and all sorts of difficulties.
Instruction among deaf-mute people can, of course, by no means progress as
quickly as among persons with full use of their senses. To this is added
the fact that the schooling of most deaf-mutes is deficient, indeed often
very meager. Our missionaries must therefore often keep several different
instruction classes, much like our teachers in mixed-grade schools. These
classes also arise because in the larger cities the deaf-mutes live very
scattered. The missionaries in this quiet mission field must therefore
often be occupied teaching from early morning until ten o'clock at night.
Two missionaries have each already held one public examination and
confirmation in sign language. Both examinations showed that the
missionaries had taught the Lutheran catechism with complete faithfulness
and had brought its truths within the understanding of the poor deaf-mutes.