# The Lutheran Pioneer_St. Louis_1927_S25 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) THE LUTHERAN PIONEER. 25 eee Our Statistical Report. The annual statistical report compiled by Di- rector Drewes, which appears in this number, should be attentively read by our readers. Though made up of figures, they are by no means dry figures to those who are interested in the work which our Church is doing among the freedmen. The number of baptized members totaled 5,123 at the end of 1926, an increase of 415 persons over 1925. No less than 428 persons were baptized by our missionaries last year. Very gratifying is also the large number of guests who approached the Lord’s Table in the course of the year, over a thou- sand more than in:the previous year. The day-schools had an enrolment, at the end of 1926, of 3,108 pupils, and the Sunday-school enrolment was 3,396. Besides the more than 5,000 baptized members in our churches and the more than 3,000 pupils in our day-schools and Sunday- schools who are not yet members, it is probable that our mission-workers directly and indirectly reach out to, and influence, more than 25,000 persons by their labors. The: total contributions raised on the field amounted to $32,658.91, an increase of more than $1,000 over 1925. Considering the financial re- sources of the Negroes, it will have to be admitted that our colored Christians are truly appreciative of what the Church is doing for them and that they try to prove this in a practical way. St. Paul’s, New Orleans, with 408 baptized and 234 communicant members, is our largest colored congregation. Bethlehem, New Orleans, has the largest school enrolment, 226. Mount Zion, New Orleans, has the largest Sunday-school enrolment, 214. Grace Church, St. Louis, reached the highest mark in baptisms, 43; forty-one of these were pupils of the day-school. Rosebud, Ala., leads all the rest in the number of confirmations, 24. Pastor Alston’s Kannapolis, N. C., congregation re- ports the greatest number of guests at the Lord’s Table, though the members of Pastor Thompson’s church at Tilden, Ala.; have the best average to report. God be thanked for this growth! F.J.L. Our Sanitarium at Wheat Ridge, Colo. The letter which follows was received by the Editor quite a while ago, but after its receipt was soon mislaid by him. Though parts of the letter must be omitted because they are out of date, the greater portion is still as worthy of publication as it was when it was written. The letter was written by a young man who spent about a year at Wheat Ridge. It gives our readers a good opportunity to see what a blessing our Sanitarium is. Here is the letter: — “T shall endeavor to tell you some things about our Sanitarium at Wheat Ridge. The Sanitarium, as you know, is located near the foot of the majestic Rocky Mountains, about eight miles from the heart of Denver. It is a beautiful building which our Lutheran young people have erected here for those afflicted with that lingering disease — tuberculosis. The building is really a wonderful piece of archi- tecture and is set in a beautiful lawn, dotted with trees and beautiful flower-beds. Everything about the whole institution is calculated to create a cheer- ° ful atmosphere. It is really a hard thing to tell in words what a blessed work is carried on here by our Church. It must be seen to be appreciated and understood. During the summer hundreds of tourists visit the institution. I haven’t seen one who was not full of praise for our Sanitarium, espe- cially because of its cleanliness and cheerfulness. Many of the visitors have been through other, sim- ilar places, but ours received their highest praise. “Tet me tell you a little about how the patients are treated. The Sanitarium has a modern X-ray machine and is equipped with all up-to-date neces- sities. A nose-and-throat specialist is connected with the institution, as is also a dentist. Upon the roofs of the porches is the sun roof for heliotherapy treatments, which are given to patients afflicted with bone, skin, or organic tuberculosis. “Rest is the most essential factor in curing tuberculosis; fresh air and good food are the other essentials. The new patient, upon his arrival, is placed in the Infirmary for at least a week, till his case has been fully diagnosed. After this he is moved out on the porch. «By this time he has learned the rules which he must follow while he is here. While on the porch, he is practically outside, and on the porch he passes all his time, night and day, and only goes into his room to dress. The rooms are very cozy and are furnished with a dresser and a rocker. Every room has also its own wash- bowl, which eliminates infection. - “The men’s side of the building is to the east, while the women occupy the west side. On the porch one meets the other patients,.since each bed is separated from the others by only low partitions; and here the latest topics are discussed. This daily.