# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1882_S90
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260 dollars on hand which had come in for the school building at Little Rock that was not carried out. Since the need of a mission property was so urgent and the sale of the property offered to us was to be feared daily, the Commission decided to venture the purchase, in the hope that this important step, to which it was forced by circumstances, would be approved by the Hon. Synodical Conference. On the 19th of September the local commission in New Orleans was charged with the purchase and was informed that, as soon as it reported the completed purchase to the Commission, 1500—2000 dollars would be sent to it. Up to the writing of this report, however, no word had yet arrived.

3. Mobile, Alabama.

In 1879 the Hon. Synodical Conference had resolved that mission work be undertaken also in Mobile, Alabama, and a missionary be appointed for it. The undersigned therefore traveled from the Synodical Conference at Columbus by way of Chicago, in order to confer with the East Indian missionary L. Wahl, who was staying there. The latter had stood for eleven years in the service of the Hermannsburg Mission in East India, and had now gone to relatives in Chicago to recover his greatly weakened health. Having already before his departure from East India recognized the false doctrinal position of Hermannsburg and made representations about it, though in vain, to Pastor Harms, he now saw himself fully compelled in conscience to declare his withdrawal from the Hermannsburg Mission. He came to St. Louis, where Dr. C. F. W. Walther held a colloquy with him, the result of which was most satisfactory. The Commission therefore resolved to call Missionary Wahl for the mission in Mobile. It was thought good, however, to let him first go to Little Rock for a time, so that he might have an opportunity to practise teaching and preaching in the English language. After a few months he gave several sermons there in our mission church which put his proficiency in the English language beyond all doubt, and so he could begin his missionary activity in Mobile in the month of March 1880.

He first rented an empty store and began to preach there and to hold Sunday school and weekday school. At first the rush was great, but when no gifts were forthcoming, only a few came. After three months' work the participation of adults in the service was small and remained so continually, so that often there could be no preaching at all. The highest number ever reached at the services was 9 adults. After three months the school had 14 children and increased gradually. At Missionary Wahl's request an instrument for leading the singing in the school and in the