# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1899_S94
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

94 Proceedings of the 24th General, or

From Louisville he extended his mission work to Cincinnati, Dayton,
Indianapolis, and Evansville. In more than one respect he had a
particularly difficult field to build up. In the midst of his active
mission work, however, his health unfortunately became so weakened that he
found himself compelled, about two weeks ago, to accept a call to a
hearing congregation. Although no deaf-mute congregation has yet been
organized at the places named, many deaf-mutes in Louisville, Cincinnati,
Newport, and Dayton have nonetheless come to love the Lutheran preaching
and have asked the Commission to send them another preacher. The
Commission believes it must comply with this wish as well.

"A second mission post is at Milwaukee. There Pastor Traug. Wangerin
labors with complete faithfulness and zeal. He, too, organized a deaf-mute
congregation with 17 voting members this past year. From Milwaukee he also
serves Sheboygan, Racine, and Oshkosh. He reports that his services are
quite well attended. He names Sheboygan as a particularly promising field
where a Lutheran deaf-mute congregation could soon be founded as well,
since the number of deaf-mute residents there is increasing, as can always
be seen at the services. In Racine, too, the quiet, soundless flock comes
almost in full numbers to every sermon. In Oshkosh, where he has most
recently begun his work, he is joyfully welcomed by the deaf-mutes, who
are very glad soon to receive catechism instruction as well.

"Chicago is the third mission post, where the first Lutheran deaf-mute
congregation was organized. It is served by Pastor Arthur L. Reinke. Here
the mission work among the deaf-mutes is making gratifying progress. Since
the Lutheran mission began, the sectarian preachers long stationed in
Chicago — a Methodist and an Episcopalian — have shown double the
activity. But to the joy of the deaf-mute congregation and its pastor,
not only do the regular visitors always show up punctually at every
service, but new ones keep joining, who in turn bring still others. The
deaf-mute visitors at the services are all young people from 15 to 40
years of age. Although most of them earn very little, the young deaf-mute
congregation sent $100.00 to the mission treasury this past year and has
declared that it can and will do still more in the future.

"Since the field in Chicago is so large, the missionary has in recent
months had to limit his work to Fort Wayne, Ind., and St. Paul, Minn. In
St. Paul the first service with the deaf-mutes was held by Pastor Reinke
in October of last year. Three weeks later the missionary received an
invitation from the secretary of the Deaf Mute Association in Minneapolis
to hold another service for them soon. This wish was granted. Soon after,
he preached at the