# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1911_S251
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

— 37 —

Counting this year's students, 38 have attended the institution. Of these 38, 12 are now at our institutions in the East and 14 here, 26 in all. All 26 of these are currently preparing for the preaching ministry or the teaching office. So a good two-thirds of the students have remained faithful to their calling. God willing, 2 will take their examination for the teaching office next June. In Springfield 4 are studying, in St. Louis 2, in St. Paul 4, in Addison 1, in Seward 1. Since the institution began its sixth school year this year, an average of 6 new students have entered each year. Since our district, from which all our students come, is chiefly a mission district, this number, small though it is, is large enough in proportion. On average our district has had, over these six years, about 5000 souls, or 2500 communicant members. That would mean one student for every 900 souls, or for every 450 communicant members. Admittedly these numbers ought to stand still better, considering that it is, after all, God's kingdom that is at stake. But we rejoice that our dear God has given us such a blessing, and we want to ask him to continue to bless us so. Thanks be to him for everything!"

The Oregon and Washington District has thus far borne the expenses of running and maintaining the institution out of its own resources, though often only through quite extraordinary efforts, since our district is, after all, only a mission district and has but a small number of souls. Yet the Lord has always made the hearts of Christians willing to bring offerings for this institution. Through our institution, too, we have won many a young man for the service of the church who, had we not had the institution, could not have been won for the service of the church. — A professor and an assistant teacher are employed at this institution and have been salaried by the district.

It is nevertheless extremely hard for the district to continue running this institution out of its own resources, since the mission work itself also demands great sacrifices. At the last convention of the Oregon and Washington District, the synod therefore resolved to offer this institution to the General Synod as a gift, provided it is debt-free, or else to ask the Honorable General Synod at least to take over the salaries of the professors for this institution.

The institution itself is now fully and entirely debt-free. There is at present only a debt of about $350.00 to $400.00 in the institution's operating funds, which, however, should be paid off by God's help by the end of the school year.

The Oregon and Washington District hereby places its institution in the hands of the Honorable General Synod and offers it, fully and entirely debt-free, as a gift.

Should the Honorable General Synod, however, after examination and