# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1914_S63
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

of the Ev. Luth. Synodical Conference of North America. 1914. 63

Brief Summary.

We carry on mission among the Blacks in 10 different states: Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, as well as in the District of Columbia. In this territory we preach at 49 different places to the sons of Ham the sweet Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The most stations are in the states of Louisiana and North Carolina, namely 10 in Louisiana and 27 in North Carolina. Our mission numbers 2,710 souls (567 more than two years ago), 1,145 communicant members (197 more), 262 voting members (26 more). The 30 schools were attended in the school year 1913/14 by 2,030 children (increase: 475) and the Sunday schools by 1,450 (increase: 158). Attendance at the services is satisfactory in almost all congregations, in many very good. From the attached report of our treasurer it appears that our Negro Christians are also learning to give for God's kingdom. Although the great majority, as is well known, are quite poor in earthly goods, they have nevertheless raised, for their own church needs and for the mission treasury in the years 1912 and 1913, the sum of 11,278 dollars. That comes to about $5.55 on average for each confirmed member. In property the Negro Mission owns 25 chapels, 10 school buildings, 5 parsonages, 2 colleges and 2 professors' residences with the lots belonging to them. The total property has an approximate value of 115,000 dollars. — In the service of the Negro Mission stand 54 workers, namely: 1 mission director, 6 professors, 22 pastors (among them 2 vacancy preachers), 17 teachers and 8 women teachers. Of the 22 pastors, 9 are white and 13 Black, and of the teachers and women teachers 5 are white and 20 Black; thus in all 21 white and 33 Black workers. The number of workers has increased by 14 in these two years.

Our Needs.

Our 54 mission workers must be paid monthly. The monthly payroll will rise next month to about 2,600 dollars. Furthermore, 4 new workers should soon be appointed, one missionary each in Little Rock and Carrollton and one teacher each in Albemarle and Johnson. For salaries, college housekeeping, repairs and so on, probably 35,000 dollars will be needed next year. From the preceding report on our mission stations it appears that, if our work is not to be seriously hindered, we must erect chapels in Atlanta, Albemarle, Carrollton, St. John's in New Orleans, High Point, Kannapolis, Richmond, Spartanburg, Wilmington and Winston-Salem. If one reckons these 10 chapels, so urgently needed, at an average of 1,000 dollars each, 10,000 dollars will have to be spent on chapels in the near future. For 4 chapels