# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1924_S51
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

of the Ev. Luth. Synodical Conference of North America. 1924. 51

the creek between his house and the chapel has swollen far too high is his place empty in the house of God. Otherwise nothing can keep him away. Then there is also old "Aunty" Maria Dockery. Of her Superintendent Schmidt says: "We know of no other person whose disposition is more like that of Mary in Bethany; she is always eager to hear the word of her Savior. Like many others in our congregations here, she too was once a slave."

37. Zion, Taits Place, Wilcox Co. (Founded in October 1919. Missionary: E. A. Westcott,* since September 1921.) Here the old evil Foe has caused our dear missionary much trouble; but the LORD has faithfully helped his servant. The congregation numbers 86 souls, 37 communicant members and 10 voting members. P. Westcott says: "The prospects are better than ever before."

38. Our Redeemer, Longmile, Wilcox Co. (Founded 1922. Missionary: E. A. Westcott,* since January 1924.) When the Synodical Conference [Synodalkonferenz] was assembled two years ago, this congregation, with its 77 souls and 40 communicant members, did not yet exist. This congregation, like the one at Holy Ark, has come out of and been born from opposition. A mother of nine children and her husband attended one of the first services. When they came home, they found the large iron wash kettle smashed to pieces. Such and similar things were done to keep the people away from our services. But they came all the same. And so we now have a fine congregation. — An old grandfather, "Uncle" Simon, attended our first service about two years ago. On the way home he was asked: "Elder" — he had been an elder in a sectarian church for almost half a century — "what do you think of this new doctrine?" He answered: "I have stopped thinking; I am already a member of this church." He often says to Superintendent Schmidt: "I was a church member for many, many years, but if God had not sent the Lutheran church with the pure doctrine, I would have gone to hell. I thank God for what he has done for me in my old days." If one asks him the ground of his hope, he answers: "I am a poor sinner; but Jesus, God's Son and my Savior, died for me. That is the ground of my hope."

39. Mount Carmel, Midway, Wilcox Co. (Founded 1916. Missionary: Prof. Otho Lynn, since January 1924.) This congregation once numbered nearly 100 souls. In no other congregation in Alabama, however, was the move from the country to the city so strong as here. At the beginning of this year the number of souls was only 36. But in the second quarter (April, May, June) 16 newly baptized members were gained.

40. Bethany, Nyland, Wilcox Co. (Founded 1918. Missionary: James Montgomery, since September 1921. Assistant: Prof. P. D. Lehman.) Souls: 57. Communicant members: 28.

41. St. Peter's, Pine Hill, Wilcox Co. (Founded on 1 November 1922. Missionary: James Montgomery. Assistant: Prof. P. D. Lehmann.) When the Synodical Conference was assembled two years ago, this congregation did not yet exist. Now it already numbers 54 souls and 22 communicant members. The services and the school have so far been held in an empty, exceedingly wretched log cabin