# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1902_S71
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

of the Evangelical Lutheran Synodical Conference of North America. 1902. 71

Everything points to it. I have, after all, been here only since September 1901, but to record all the fruits of the preaching of God's Word would lead too far, and let it only be mentioned that the truth of the divine Word, 'It shall not return unto me void, but accomplish that which I please, and prosper in the thing whereto I sent it,' is confirmed Sunday by Sunday powerfully and visibly. I have 45 school children, and every school child pays 25 cents a month tuition. What great blessing the school brings I cannot describe at all. The number of souls is 59; of these 40 are communicants and about 20 voting members. Every Sunday I have between 50 and 60 hearers."

General Matters.

Pastor O. Hanser, long-time zealous member of the Commission, has unfortunately withdrawn from the Commission on account of his advanced age. At the request of the Commission, however, he declared himself willing for the present to go on collaborating on the "Miſſions⸗Taube" [Mission Dove], and also otherwise to serve the Commission with counsel and deed as much as possible. In his place Pastor Aug. Burgdorf in Lincoln, Ill., was unanimously elected to the Commission.

That "Unknown," a benefactor, friend and patron of the Negro Mission, was at our treasurer Burgdorf's three times from August 1900 to July 1902 and each time handed him the sum of $500.00 as a gift, and indeed each time without giving his name and his place of residence. In addition we have received as gifts in the last two years: from a member of the Eastern District of the Missouri Synod $1000.00, from N. N. in Brooklyn $600.00, bequest of F. K. in Wisconsin $200.00, from Mrs. N. N. in California $100.00, together $3400.00.

The contributions of the various synods for the Negro Mission have decreased in the last two years, as the treasurer's report shows. The contributions from the side of the Negro congregations also ought to become larger.

Since its last report the Commission has regularly held its monthly meetings and many extra meetings, the proceedings of which are carefully minuted. Visitations have been made by Prof. Fürbringer, Pastor R. Kretzschmar and Pastor Obermeyer. The Commission demands from the missionaries not merely generally descriptive but also quarterly special statistical reports. Prof. R. Bischoff, editor of the "Lutheran Pioneer," has been ill for months.

The matter concerning a Negro college is up for discussion and decision. If the Negro Mission is to be carried on seriously, we must have more workers, more preachers and teachers, and indeed also more black preachers and black teachers, and the Commission is of the opinion that the time has come to set up so-called preparatory schools, in which pious and gifted Negro boys will receive at least the preparatory