# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1911_S268
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

— 54 —

4. Australia.

In Australia, by God's grace, through hard struggles and faithful labor, a healthy Lutheran church body has developed. Reading the church periodical and the synodical reports of the Ev. Lutheran Synod in Australia, one recognizes at once: "These are our brothers." This synod was able to celebrate its 70th jubilee two years ago. It comprises 38 pastors and professors, who serve 154 congregations and preaching stations, containing 13,334 souls, 8500 communicant and 2775 voting members. There are 52 parish schools and five private schools there. There is also a church institution there with 52 students for the training of preachers and teachers. The synod carries on a large mission in Western Australia and Queensland, for which it needs our support in money and men. Three of last year's candidates, who come from that synod, have returned there to help the brothers draw the net of God's kingdom. Even now an urgent call is pending from there. Spent in the last three years for New Zealand and Australia was the sum of $4763.58.

5. The European Free Churches.
a. The Saxon Free Church.

The commission would very much like the Honorable Synod to occupy itself somewhat more thoroughly with its relationship precisely to the Saxon Free Church. The dear brothers over there often feel very forsaken, and their situation often appears to them very sad. For the sake of their testimony to the truth, they have few friends over there, but a host of enemies, and the thought occurs to them that interest in them and their work is continually decreasing even in our Synod. Their congregations are, with few exceptions, small in membership, and the members mostly poor in earthly goods. Quite a number of their congregations must be supported if the public preaching office is to be maintained in their midst. However much the pastors restrict themselves, it is impossible for them to get by on what their congregations are able to give. And it must be said in their congregations' favor that they strain very hard in their giving. From where, then, is support to flow to them? On earth they know no one except those by whom they are reviled and slandered as brethren — the Missourians. If we abandon them, they will have to give up the Lord's work. But should we not willingly extend support to them, we who are so richly blessed by God in things spiritual and earthly? Saxony gave us the two men who are, of all people, dearest to us Lutherans of the Missouri Synod. In Saxony lived, taught, and fought Luther, the reformer of the church, who set the light of the saving Gospel back upon its lampstand. From Saxony came that dear man whose hundredth birthday we