# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1938_S174
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

174 Various Missions

The brethren in France also request the Hon. Synod to make
some provision for their participation in the benefits of the Pension
Fund. They maintain that their status is the same as that of our
foreign missionaries and that they exist as a separate synod only
because the laws of France compel such arrangement.

The Board recommends that the Hon. Synod take this question
under advisement and, if possible, grant this request.

Finland

The work in Finland is very difficult because 97 per cent.
of the inhabitants are nominal members of the so-called Lutheran
State Church. The Ev. Lutheran Free Church of Finland numbers
56 preaching-stations, 429 souls, 250 communicant members, and
3 pastors. These people are scattered all over the country. During
the past year the brethren traveled 18,114 miles to minister to
them all. There are no churches or parsonages. The members
contributed $564 during the past year, an average of $2 a member.
Our brethren have large families, they must pay rent and a good
part of their traveling expenses, and as a result have been in great
distress. In order to relieve the financial stress, Pastor R. G.
Wegelius has sought and found a secular position. Since, however,
this position is not yet certain nor will be for three years, and
since the compensation at present received by him is inadequate
to support his family, the brethren wish to share with him the
subsidy granted by the Hon. Synod. During the past year they
received $3,010. During the next triennium they ask a subsidy
of $2,822.

The Board recommends that this request be granted.

Estonia

For ten years the Hon. Synod has supported the congregation
in Arensburg, Estonia, and its faithful pastor, N. Baeuerle. This
congregation numbers 105 communicant members. Besides, Pastor
Baeuerle has a number of members residing in 11 different local-
ities, some of them 500 miles from Arensburg. This small and
poor flock contributed $600 during the past year. The congrega-
tion received a loan from the Church Extension treasury, which
is being paid off faithfully. To date, with the exception of severa.
years when the amount was reduced, this congregation receivec
a subsidy of $300 annually. However, a report by the Rev. Henry
Grueber, who visited also this congregation and its pastor, ha
convinced this Board that Pastor Baeuerle, whose family nov
numbers seven persons, should have an increase in salary.

The Board recommends that the subsidy for Arensburs
Estonia, be increased to $400.