# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1930_S42
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

42 Proceedings of the thirty-second convention

to be a very promising mission opportunity, but one that would demand great
tact on the part of the leader. Although P. Schmidt had plenty of work, he
was nevertheless willing to follow the wish and commission of the mission
board, and on September 20 he traveled by automobile from Selma to Piney
Woods, 240 miles.

When the Mission Commission had heard P. Schmidt's detailed report, it
resolved unanimously and with joy to begin the work in Piney Woods on
a trial basis and to ask P. Schmidt to take over the important work for the
time being. It seemed to all the members that God was calling our mission to a
field that was as promising as the work in the Black Belt of Alabama.
P. Schmidt then traveled to Mississippi every Thursday and stayed until
Monday. The longer he worked there, the more enthusiastic he became. His
work consisted chiefly in giving religious instruction in all the classes and
conducting all the services. Many students have thus come to the knowledge
of the truth and praise God for his grace. About 300 young men and young
women attend the institution. In addition there are 100 children in the
elementary school.

Piney Woods lies about 24 miles southeast of the state capital, Jackson,
out in the country. The institution owns 1,500 acres of land, partly under
the plow or covered with magnificent pines. There are six buildings on the
campus. The girls' dormitory, which burned down last winter, is at present
being replaced by a new one. The main building also contains a chapel
seating 400 to 500 persons. Besides a dormitory for boys, a community house
and a schoolhouse for children, one finds several other buildings. The main
buildings together form a semicircle on a rise, from which one can look out
over the splendid country to the west and south.

Prof. Lawrence Jones, the college president, who holds our work in high
esteem, would like to give this institution to our Synodical Conference
(*Synodalkonferenz*). After various members of the Mission Commission had
been to Piney Woods, the Commission at its plenary meeting in April
resolved to call P. Schmidt there and to call another superintendent for the
Alabama field. He has accepted the call to Piney Woods. May God grant us in
this most important matter holy courage, good counsel and right works!

Status of the Individual Congregations.

Alabama.

1. Rosebud. Founded 1916. Missionary: L. R. Gauthreaur. Souls: 204.
Decrease in the two reporting years: 17 souls. Mission property: church and
school under one roof, parsonage.

2. Oak Hill. Founded 1916. Missionary: L. R. Gauthreaur. Souls: 102.
Increase: 17. Mission property: church and school under one roof, parsonage.

3. Hamburg. Founded 1924. Missionary: L. R. Gauthreaur. Souls: 115.
Increase: 12. Property: church and school under one roof.

4. Taits Place. Founded 1919. Missionary: Byron Skinner. Souls: 115.
Increase: 1. Property: church and school under one roof, teacher's residence.

5. Camden. Founded in August 1924. Missionary: Byron Skinner. Souls: 71.
Increase: 14.