# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1941_S216
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

216 Reports and Action on Various Mission-Fields

schools means not only the curtailment of religious education during
the week, but also this, that many of these children will grow up
with no education whatever. This naturally increases the dif-
ficulties of religious instruction. Unconfirmed reports have reached
your Board that a new movement to close all parish- and private
schools is in the offing. ,

Argentina is becoming more and more strict in the issuance
of teachers’ certificates. So far this has not seriously affected our
work in our congregational schools in Argentina. What the future
holds is known only to God.

Another question which plays a very important role in our
work in South America is the increased cost of living. Every one
knows that, if a man is constantly harassed by the thought of
meeting necessary regular expenses, not counting emergency ex-
penses occasioned by illness, etc., he is not able to do his best
work. The cost of living has increased 50 per cent. plus during
the last three years. Although your Board has done all within
its power to help relieve this serious condition (sanctioning emer-
gency grants in case of illness and with the consent of the Board
of Directors of Synod granting a bonus at the close of the year
1940), we have not been able to effect a permanent solution of
this vexing problem. The relief granted was made possible by
an extremely favorable rate of exchange. We are repeatedly re-
ceiving requests for additional aid. Our men living and working
under these conditions are by no means mercenary, but, brethren,
they are human. When they seem to be losing ground in this
struggle, they become discouraged. In time this will be reflected
in their work. We must rescue them, lift them up, encourage
them in their fight in order to raise and strengthen their morale.
A refusal to do this will bear bitter fruits. In order to do good
work, a mechanic needs tools. If he cannot purchase these, his
work will suffer. A pastor also needs “tools” (books, religious
periodicals, etc.); if he cannot purchase these, his work will
reflect this condition.

The language question has often been listed as a difficulty.
This classification is doubtful. Although the use of a foreign
language, especially in Brazil, is being more and more restricted,
the use of Portuguese in Brazil and Spanish in the other countries
in connection with our work is making rapid strides. This opens
an unlimited field for our work. Portuguese has been quite
generally used by our men in Brazil for many years, but in recent
times it has become more and more prominent, while in Argentina
and the other countries in which we are active Spanish is being
studied and used much more than formerly. God’s blessing will
rest upon, and accompany, the preaching and teaching of His
Word, regardless of what language may be employed. His Word,