# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1888_S46
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

46 Proceedings of the twelfth convention

Concerning our mission periodicals it is to be reported that the "Missionstaube" [Mission Dove] is sent out in 12,700 copies and the "Lutheran Pioneer" in 4000 copies. As surplus of the "Missionstaube" there was handed over to us in the last two years $1094.80, and from the "Lutheran Pioneer" $276.52, through Agent Barthel.

Our mission staff at present consists of 10 workers, namely 2 missionaries, 4 teachers and an assistant missionary in New Orleans, and one missionary each in Little Rock, Meherrin and Springfield, for whose maintenance $560.00 monthly is required.

Our mission congregations are gradually beginning to recognize their duty to contribute themselves to the building of the kingdom of God, and have in part also made a fine beginning in the exercise of this duty. Thus the two congregations of Pastor Bakke, the Mount Zion and the St. Paul's congregations, together contributed $837.23, and the still young Trinity congregation of Pastor Burgdorf $194.01, the congregation at Little Rock $110.20, and so forth, in the last two years in contributions and collections.

Finally we can report with heartfelt thanks to God that the state of health of our mission workers, with the exception of the painful death mentioned and the one case of illness likewise mentioned, was in general quite good, so that they could attend to their difficult calling without disturbing interruptions. In doing so they have indeed experienced many a bitter disappointment in their fairest hopes, had to bear many a reproach and endure many an adversity. Through it all the faithful God has given them courage and perseverance and blessed their truly self-sacrificing work. Though he has not given them mass conversions, we may nevertheless cheerfully boast to God's praise: The work is, if only slowly, yet steadily growing. Our mission congregations number 352 souls with 174 communicant members. Under the influence of the Word of God, however, there stand in our mission 1749, namely 452 churchgoers, 666 Sunday school pupils, 561 weekday school pupils and 63 in special instruction. Thus there are in New Orleans 1216, in Little Rock 227, in Meherrin 162 and in Springfield 144, altogether 1749 souls under the sound of the Word in our churches and schools.

At all stations an increase is to be recorded and a progress in Christianity is not to be mistaken. Perhaps the time is no longer far off when we can report also of faster growth. Let us rejoice meanwhile that God is willing to use us poor sinners for the building of his kingdom, and let us ask him to let us become ever more faithful in the carrying out of this his work which he has entrusted to us.

In the name and by commission of the Mission Commission of the Evangelical Lutheran Synodical Conference of North America

C. F. W. Sapper, for the time Chairman.