# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1924_S50
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

50 Proceedings of the twenty-ninth convention

The Alabama Field.

In the Black Belt of Alabama is our youngest but most promising and largest field. Work was begun here only in January 1916, and yet there are already 1,257 souls under the care of our missionaries. The whole field is under the special supervision of our faithful and capable superintendent Georg A. Schmidt. In this world nothing is perfect, and so neither on this mission field; and yet in our young congregations a spirit prevails and a Christian life reigns that reminds us of the golden age of the Christian church. Everyone who has visited this young field returns home full of amazement and praises God for the saving and sanctifying power of the Gospel of his Son, which shows itself there so clearly.

34. Christ, Rosebud, Wilcox Co. (Founded 1916. Missionary: Charles Peay, since September 1921. He lives in Oak Hill.) Work in Alabama was begun here in January 1916. This congregation is our first and is also our largest in Alabama. It numbers 211 souls, 103 communicant members and 19 voting members. Superintendent Schmidt says in his report: "Yesterday I received a letter from a member of the congregation in Rosebud, in which it says: 'I am a Lutheran and want to die a Lutheran. I love my church and am ready to stand up anywhere and tell the people about my church.' In these words you have the attitude of the majority of the Lutherans in Rosebud." — The old church and school (one building) is in poor condition. A new building is necessary. It ought to be erected on the highway. The cost would come to about $1,500.

35. St. Paul's, Oak Hill, Wilcox Co. (Founded 1916. Missionary: C. Peay, since August 1917.) This is our second-oldest and second-largest congregation in the Black Belt of Alabama. Souls: 121; communicant members: 73; voting members: 15. During the months of April, May and June of this year 23 new members were won. At present 8 adults and 2 children are in confirmation instruction.

36. Our Savior, Possum Bend, Wilcox Co. (Founded 1916. Missionary: Edward A. Westcott,* since 1921.) Souls: 79; communicant members: 41; voting members: 10. The church is about four miles from Camden. Since the members of the congregation heard that in Camden there were people who would gladly come to Lutheran worship but could not very well walk, they bought a Gospel wagon [printed in English; Evangeliumswagen]. Since then one can see the Gospel wagon, drawn by two mules and filled with those who wish to attend the service, driving every Sunday between Camden and the Lutheran chapel in the woods near Possum Bend. Is that not a commendable missionary spirit that this little congregation displays? — When the congregation celebrated its fifth anniversary two years ago, a certain Tom Williams was present at the Communion service. He had been for forty years an elder in a sectarian church. The Word of God took hold of his heart. Later he said: "If ever I gladly shared in the Holy Supper, it was on that Sunday." He went home with the resolve in his heart to become a Lutheran church member. And a faithful member he then did become. Only when