# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1938_S173
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Various Missions 178

The numerical increase in the various fields is but small; in
fact, we can say that the brethren are but holding their own.
However, we feel that this is sufficient reason for gratitude, inas-
much as our brethren are laboring under extremely difficult
conditions. The Free Churches are everywhere looked upon as
sects, and to this day it requires a genuine sacrifice to be identified

with them. ;
Germany

The Evangelical Lutheran Free Church of Saxony and Other
States is the second-largest free Church in Germany. It numbers
12,662 souls, 9,362 communicant members, 62 congregations, and
40 pastors. Services are held regularly in 190 towns and cities. Of
the congregations 18 are self-supporting. A new congregation has
been founded in Bagband, East Frisia. At present 69 souls have
separated from the State Church and joined this congregation.

The depression which began in 1930 hit Germany especially
hard, but by careful and wise management serious deficits have
been avoided. The average contribution per communicant member
‘amounted to $7 during the year 1937. The brethren request that
the Hon. Synod continue the subsidy of $30,000 a year also during
the next triennium.

The Board recommends that this request be granted.

For further information about the Free Church of Saxony
and for information about religious affairs in Germany we call
attention to a memorial booklet dedicated to the Hon. Synod on
the occasion of her centennial by the Free Church of Saxony and
Other States, which will be distributed during the convention.

. France

The Evangelical Lutheran Free Church of Alsace numbers
5 pastors, 14 congregations and preaching-stations, 552 souls, and
393 communicant members. The average contribution per com-
municant member was $12.

The brethren in France also experienced financial difficulties,
chiefly because certain properties did not yield the expected returns
owing to abnormal conditions. This situation was made still more
difficult through the unexpected death of Mr. Henry Kreiss, Sr.,
the Treasurer of the Free Church. Mr. Kreiss was a man of wide
business experience and had given his entire time to the manage-
ment of the financial affairs of the Church and its properties. The
brethren request a subsidy of $5,000 also during the coming tri-
ennium. This request is supported by Mr. J. Christian Schneider
of the Free Church of Saxony and Other States, who at the request
of the Board thoroughly investigated the financial situation in
France.

The Board recommends that this subsidy of $5,000 be granted.