# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1920_S42
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

42 Proceedings of the twenty-seventh convention

Regarding salaries, the Commission, which in the last four years had had to raise salaries several times and often had to deal with a deficit in the treasury, was nevertheless strongly encouraged by no means to let our workers suffer want. The Commission was authorized to raise salaries as needed and also in particular to fix the salaries of the mission director and of the superintendent of the Alabama field.

The frequent deficit in the treasury is a great scandal, and the constant borrowing is thoroughly unbusinesslike. The convention promised to see to it, as far as possible in its circles, that collections be taken more liberally and that individual Christians also advance money to the treasury, so that our treasurer need not borrow from the banks.

If the buildings that have been resolved upon are to be put up at once — and they certainly should be — then about $250,000 is needed this year, including salaries! That is an average of 30 to 35 cents per communicant. All members of the Synodical Conference, all the synods and synodical districts concerned, should indeed go at this their work with great zeal!

Pastor Bakke was given, by a rising vote, the thanks and recognition of the Synodical Conference for his long and faithful services.

Addresses on the Negro Mission were given especially by Pastor Bakke, Pastor G. A. Schmidt of Alabama and Missionary Stoll of the South Carolina field. The great poverty of the Negroes, especially in Alabama, was set forth, and at the same time their great readiness to sacrifice was pointed out. It was especially shown how it is evidently our duty to care for the female Negroes and to do mission work among them, so that the Negro's home may become a Christian one.

The re-elected members of the Commission for the Negro Mission are Pastors W. J. Schulze, R. Jesse and Theo. F. Walther.

The thanks of the convention were voted to the committee, which held very many sessions and worked very diligently.

It was resolved that a committee, consisting of Pastor Joh. Brenner and Prof. G. W. Müller, shall work out, by the next meeting of the Synodical Conference, a recommendation according to which all the synods belonging to the Synodical Conference could be represented *pro rata* on the Negro Mission Commission.

Examination of the Synodical Reports.

The following committees have examined the doctrinal proceedings of the respective synods and synodical districts and reported that they found nothing in them contrary to the Word of God and the Lutheran Confession: