# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1924_S38
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

38 Proceedings of the twenty-ninth convention

New Mission Stations.

In these two years under report mission work has been begun at the following eight places: Pine Hill, Ala.; Selma, Ala. (at the College); Kings Landing, Ala.; Chicago, Ill.; Alexandria, La.; Pailets Land, La.; Cincinnati, O.; Greer, S. C. Work was temporarily suspended at Plaquemine, La., and Richmond, Va. So this biennium shows an increase of six mission stations. The total number of stations is now 61. Not counted are the stations at Free Soil, Mich. (15 souls; Pastor H. J. Storm), Santa Monica, Cal. (17 souls; Pastor Walter Tröger), and Los Angeles, Cal. (10 souls; President J. W. Theiss). If there had not been a lack of men and means, work could also have been begun in Detroit, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh and other places. Mission material seems to be present there.

Increases.

Two years ago the number of souls was 3,725. Today, on the other hand, the number of souls amounts to 4,110; that means a net increase of 385 souls. Two years ago the number of confirmed or communicant members was about 2,079, today however 2,344; that means a net increase of 265 communicant members. These are gratifying increases, especially when one considers that the Negroes, who are nomadic anyway, have also in the last two years moved north in great numbers. Our mission has suffered from this too. And nevertheless this gratifying increase is to be recorded! The largest part of this increase is credited to the mission in the Black Belt of Alabama.

Our Negro Christians Learn the Art of Giving.

Our Lutheran Negro Christians are not rich farmers, not prosperous businessmen, not workers with large earnings; they are mostly poor servants and small tenant farmers. And yet last year (1923) they raised altogether the astonishing sum of $25,256.72.

Dr. Harry S. Myers, secretary of the United Stewardship Council, published statistical tables a little over a year ago which show, among other things, what the various Lutheran synods of our Synodical Conference gave for churchly purposes in the year 1921. The figures are thoroughly correct.

Synod. | Confirmed Members. | Total Amount of Contributions. | Average Contribution.
1. Negro Mission . . . . . . . . . . | 1,979 | $ 32,250 | $16.30
2. Missouri Synod . . . . . . . . . . | 673,321 | 3,919,459 | 14.70
3. Slovak Synod . . . . . . . . . . | 7,959 | 112,865 | 14.18
4. Wisconsin Synod . . . . . . . . | 139,605 | 1,526,629 | 10.94
5. Norwegian Synod . . . . . . . | 4,583 | 26,119 | 5.70

Who would have thought that?

But praised and thanked be God, who so gloriously acknowledges the work we carry on among the poor, despised Negro people! Trusting in Him we can continue this work confidently and joyfully, to the glory and praise of our highly praised Lord and Savior and to the temporal and eternal welfare of many children of Ham.