# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1912_S30
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

30 Proceedings of the twenty-fourth convention

The field, however, is occupied by another church body; also almost everyone belongs to the lodge. The missionary intends, however, to look around for other places where mission work might perhaps be done.

4. Mississippi.

The field at Merigold did not fulfil our expectations and had to be given up soon. Now, however, a door has opened in the southern part of the state. During the months of May and June Missionary Ed. H. Schmidt made three journeys along the Gulf coast and founded preaching places at Bay St. Louis, Pass Christian and Gulfport. He says in his report: "Bay St. Louis, with 3000 inhabitants, fifty miles from New Orleans, does not justify very great hopes. But since we have a good Lutheran family there and in time can certainly gain more, it will be worth the trouble to continue working there. — Pass Christian, ten miles north of Bay St. Louis, a small town of 2500 inhabitants, seems to be a quite hopeful post. We have five communicants there. These were very glad of the missionary's visits and are ready themselves to assist the missionary according to their powers. — Gulfport, with about 6500 inhabitants, is a rapidly growing port city ten miles north of Pass Christian. In Gulfport we have no Lutherans; but the missionary became acquainted with people who belong to the best and most distinguished Negroes of the city and who were glad to become acquainted with a Lutheran pastor. Since there are only three sectarian churches in Gulfport, we do not have to expect very strong opposition. According to the statements of the people there are many Negroes in Gulfport who long for a sensible preaching of the Word of God. We would also have success with our school. — Biloxi is a city of about 9000 inhabitants and lies ten miles from Gulfport. Here too a preaching place could probably be founded. The missionary intends, God willing, to preach in Biloxi next autumn also. Pass Christian, Gulfport and Biloxi are connected with one another not only by the Louisville & Nashville railroad but also by an electric railway and can therefore be reached without trouble at any hour. Bay St. Louis also lies on the Louisville & Nashville railroad." — Candidate Louis Anderson is to work in this new field.

5. Missouri.

St. Louis, Grace Church. (Missionary: Negro pastor James H. Doswell.) The congregation counts 17 souls (increase in the last two years: 3), 8 communicants (increase: 4) and 2 voting members (increase: 1). The weekday school has 80 children (increase: 48), the Sunday school 45 (increase: 15). The missionary preaches every Sunday and Wednesday evening. The average attendance on Sunday is 26, on Wednesday 12. The services and the school are held in a rented place at the corner of 16th and