# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1912_S36 # AI translation β€” CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 36 Proceedings of the twenty-fourth convention especially to Yonkers, N. Y. Disputes have arisen, and the Russellites have unsettled the orphaned congregation. So a missionary had to be appointed again, although Meherrin has only 300 inhabitants, of whom three fifths are Negroes. The newly called missionary, Pastor Polzin of Michigan City, Ind., was solemnly installed on Sunday Rogate [fifth Sunday after Easter], May 12, 1912, by Director F. Berg. He wrote a short time ago: "As far as I know, I am well liked by the members, and by the grace of God one old factional strife has been settled. I can truthfully say that I like my flock, and that I have some fine Christian members." The congregation numbers 88 souls, 45 communicants, 19 voting members, 41 school children and 26 Sunday school pupils. As soon as the new missionary has settled in, he will explore Richmond, the capital of the state. If he finds a good field there, as we expect, he will move there and serve Meherrin as a branch. Richmond is about 80 miles from Meherrin. Between the two places there is direct railway connection. At Meherrin we have 32 acres of land, mostly wooded, a church that is in good condition, and a parsonage on which repairs costing $80.52 had to be made to render it habitable. Total value of the property: $3000.00. β€” About 3ΒΌ miles from St. Matthew's is Bruceville, where Pastor Schooff still preached in his day. The station has lapsed. The chapel together with about three acres of land we could have sold a year ago for $80.00. But we were advised by various people to wait. β€” Brief Summary: In Arkansas we have 1 preaching place, in Illinois 1 congregation, in Louisiana 4 congregations and 3 preaching places, to which 2 or 3 new ones will be added this autumn, in Mississippi 4 preaching places, in Missouri 1 congregation, in New York 1 congregation and 1 preaching place, in North Carolina 20 congregations and 3 preaching places, in Virginia 1 congregation. In 40 places we preach the Gospel to the Negroes. Our mission numbers 2142 souls (increase since 1910: 75), 948 communicants (increase: 90), 236 voting members (decrease: 6). The 20 weekday schools were attended in the year 1911 by 1555 children (increase: 192) and the Sunday schools by 1292 children (increase: 333). This summer a summer school of two months will be held in 6 places. In the years 1910 and 1911, 207 persons were baptized and 155 confirmed; 3624 went to Holy Communion. Attendance at the services is satisfactory in almost all congregations, in some very good. From the treasurer's report it is evident that our Negro Christians also learn to give for God's kingdom. Although the great majority, as is well known, are poor in earthly goods, they nevertheless raised $4129.55 in the year 1911 for their own needs and for the mission treasury. That comes to an average of about $5.50 for each confirmed member. The congregations are exhorted and encouraged to strive more and more to support themselves.