# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1908_S50
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

50 Proceedings of the twenty-second convention

root." — Belonging to Meherrin are also the two small preaching places Bruceville and Pleasant Grove. The people can, however, attend the services in Meherrin in case of need. It is a great pity that no school is being kept here now. A missionary ought by all means to be stationed here again soon. At least provision ought to be made for school instruction. But where shall we find workers for the Negro Mission?

V. Illinois.

Holy Trinity, Springfield. Missionary: Pastor James H. Doswell (Negro). After Prof. Herzer of the seminary in Springfield, since the departure of Missionary Thalley (on account of illness) until the end of the year 1906, had once more served this station in cordial love, it received in Missionary Doswell, who was transferred there from North Carolina, again a worker of its own; he entered upon his office in January 1907. Since then the mission is making slow progress. For repairs to the church $153.30 was raised. The congregation numbers 75 souls, 44 communicants and 12 voting members.

VI. Missouri.

St. Louis. Even the last report on this mission station was not favorable. This time it is unfortunately still less favorable. To be sure, the Commission tried to continue the work here through students from the St. Louis seminary. These and other dear Christians here — let this be acknowledged again with thanks — also served the cause faithfully and zealously. But the constant change of preachers in the services and of teachers in the school hindered its prospering. The Commission therefore, after repeated detailed deliberation, came to the decision to give up the work among the Negroes here for the time being. In March of this year the public services and school instruction were accordingly discontinued. Yet now our colored Lutherans, 4 communicants, meet in a private house and hold Sunday school with 12 children. They have opportunity to attend preaching services in the white congregations. Two children were baptized.

If we now briefly sum up the report on the parishes of our *Negermission* [mission among African Americans; the period's term "Negro Mission"], the following result emerges: In Louisiana we have 5 mission parishes with one congregation each; in North Carolina 5 mission parishes with a total of 17 congregations and 4 preaching places; in Virginia 1 mission parish with 1 congregation and 2 preaching places; in Illinois 1 mission parish with 1 congregation. Since Pastor Poppe preaches to our Lutheran Negroes in Little Rock, Ark., we carry on the mission of the Lord Jesus among the Negroes at 12 stations, which comprise 31 places. This mission of ours numbers 1900 baptized souls, 845 communicants and 228 voting members. In the last year it had 17 weekday schools with 1373