# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1926_S127
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Ev. Luth. Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States. 1926. 4118

inveigle Pastor Frieling into entering the camp of the state church.
Our people say to us: “We had become savages. It was a heathenish
business: no preaching, no prayer, no Baptism, nothing — until
Pastor Frieling came.” In the three years of his activity there
Pastor Frieling has baptized some 50 children, married 40 couples,
conducted 30 burials, and confirmed two classes of six children each.
At present a class of two children is under instruction. An adult
Catholic has. received instruction and, as a result, has joined our
Church. A Catholic woman will probably do the same before long.
Pastor Frieling’s little flock at present numbers some 65 souls, of
whom 30 are communicant members. The attendance at services
averaged 35. If a congregation is organized, we may count on 10
to 12 male members. If a school can be opened, some 25 children will
probably attend from the very first.

Thus three years of arduous, but visibly blessed work have passed.
The Mission Board has received reports from the missionary as far
as was possible and twice visited the mission, in the fall of 1923 and
in January, 1926. It has become evident to us that if the mission is
to prosper, even but to continue, the time is at hand when we must
‘obtain property: parsonage, church, school... .

The cost cannot at present be exactly determined. The site will
probably require the greatest investment, since it must measure at
least 100X200 feet. The altitude of the site especially makes it
necessary to build of stone. Inquiries of all kinds, also personal con-
sultation with competent architects, leave no doubt in our minds that
the total cost will be at least $50,000.

In the meeting with Rev. Frieling’s people also the money ques-
tion was discussed. Some were of the opinion that large sums could
be obtained by subscriptions in the colony. We, however, held the
people to the principle that the congregation must finance itself. At
first Pastor Frieling’s people thought that this meant that they would
have to pay for everything themselves, which, they said, jthey were
unable to do. A fine old gentleman said: “Tt would be a crime if
the Synod would now leave us in the lurch.” . We, however, explained
to them: “It is your duty to contribute all you can; we shall endeavor
to raise what you cannot collect among yourselves. You must not
ask people to help you who are not interested in our cause.” That
satisfied them. They immediately resolved to set about finding out
how much they could raise among themselves. The amount has not
yet been reported. It will, however, be only a fraction of the neces-
sary amount, since our people, with few exceptions, are poor.

Many difficulties must be overcome if we are to act in harmony
with Mexican laws and still secure our property rights. Able lawyers -
have assured us, however, that the difficulties are not insurmountable.

The Mission Board of the Texas District, accordingly, petitions
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