# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1904_S52
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

52 Proceedings of the twentieth convention

faith-courage and spirit of sacrifice, which does not refuse, in following JESUS, to descend even into the abysses of human misery in order, like the Master, to seek and to save what was lost. The reports of our Negro missionaries give us a fine picture of the blessed Christian work, bringing eternal blessing, in the Negro Mission. Work is done just as faithfully, with much effort and great cost, among little flocks that number only a few souls as at such stations where, as for example in our large white congregations, a hundred to a thousand gather about the preached Word. For even the little flocks are esteemed in the eyes of the great Shepherd, our Savior JESUS Christ, who goes out to seek even one lost sheep.

It is true that the task of our workers in the Negro Mission is an exceedingly great and difficult one, and that the success is outwardly often a very small one; for many will not receive or accept the LORD JESUS. Yet trust in God's promises and the look to the example of JESUS, the good shepherd, gives the workers ever anew fresh courage. So we too, the Christians in the *Synodalconferenz* [Synodical Conference], may not let our courage sink nor grow weary of supporting this Negro Mission of ours also in the future with our prayers and gifts, because, as some point out, the outward success in this mission is so small. The work which we began 27 years ago in God's name we want to continue confidently, trusting God's promise and in his name. When those Samaritans would not receive the LORD JESUS, would not accept him, his disciples wanted at once to have fire fall from heaven on them so that they would be consumed from the face of the earth. But instead they received a serious, well-deserved rebuke; for JESUS "turned, and rebuked them, and said: Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of."

As is well known, the question is now much discussed: How can the sad condition of the poor Negroes be improved? The one means by which the poor Negroes can be helped temporally and eternally is the pure Word of God. God has given us this means, and with this means we shall not labor in vain in the Negro Mission either. Where the pure doctrine of the divine Word and a living knowledge of it are current, there God has given the greatest and most glorious thing that he can give men here on earth. Civil prosperity and family happiness are indeed, to be sure, also glorious gifts of God's grace. But what do they help us if the counsel of God unto salvation is not preached to us? Where pure doctrine and right knowledge are lacking, thousands and thousands of immortal souls are lost eternally, and even civil prosperity and family happiness are like an apple that looks fine from outside but is wormy within; sooner or later the divine saying proves true: "Sin is the ruin of the people." See, therefore there stands also in the holy Lord's Prayer the petition for pure doctrine and for