# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1902_S96
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

96 Proceedings of the 25th General, or

Testaments and 2 Bibles, which, whether read or not read, were later
collected back. What kind of work this is, the inexperienced can hardly
imagine, but it is work whose importance to the mission enterprise must
not be underestimated. In addition, our missionary has given individual
Jews instruction, giving 160 religion lessons in this way. Our missionary
also occasionally gives addresses, near and far, in our congregations,
and it would only be desirable that he could do so even more often than
before. Thus, by undeserved divine goodness, we have been permitted to
carry on our mission work here despite the raging and fury of Satan and
despite the infernal zeal of the "Pillars of Israel." His mercy has no
end; it has been granted to us anew every morning, and the Synod may
join us in praising the great faithfulness of our God and Savior. What
our merciful Father in heaven has done for our mission in the past shall
be a pledge to us that he will not withhold his protection and blessing
from us in the future either.

"As for the mission's operating costs over the past three years, an
exact treasury statement is attached to this report for examination.
The commission has sought to economize as much as possible, as is
evident from the fact that we have made do with the cheapest locations
that could be found and discovered in the Jewish quarter. But of course
in New York even the cheapest location is expensive. Expenditures from
March 1, 1899 to May 1, 1902 amounted to the sum of $5,178.55, and
income in the same period to $5,438.28; hence a surplus on hand of
$259.73. This income did not come in through contributions from the
congregations in the same period covered by your commission's report,
but derives for the most part from a surplus carried over from earlier
years. The contributions, as they now appear from the receipts printed
in the 'Lutheraner,' would not yet cover even half of current
expenditures. The commission therefore asks the Reverend Synod to give
serious consideration to the financial question of the Jewish mission,
especially since some districts do very little, and some nothing at all,
for the Jewish mission.

"The commission further asks that our missionary to the Jews be granted
the floor, in the interest of the mission, during the present meeting
of the Synod.*

"The commission has held a meeting regularly every month. At these
meetings the reports of the missionary and of the treasurer have been
received. The former have always been discussed in detail, and the
latter examined closely. Everything that serves the welfare of the

________

* Note: For lack of time this request of the commission unfortunately
could not be granted.                                 The Secretary.