# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1944_S179
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

‘Missions * 179

thave knowledge. The population of Free China is between 200
nd: 250 millions, and in all of China from 400 to 450 millions.
Our China seminary at Wanhsien had to be closed for Jack
f.students, because the supply from our congregations in occupied
hina ceased. However, by the establishment of a high school —
which is a war-relief project, made possible by generous contribu-
tions of the General Relief Board — we are very hopeful of obtain-
ing students presently. Our Board has urged the missionaries to
re-open the seminary and proseminary at the earliest moment
-possible.

. There has been some unfavorable nationalistic reaction against
religious educational work, owing to the war, but at present the
.work can still be continued as formerly. The abrogation of treaties
took away the legal standing of missionaries and of missionary
endeavor of all foreign missions in China.. Foreign mission societies
generally are now negotiating with the government of China to
enact. laws giving them legal status, freedom of conscience, ‘and
freedom of education. Final-action has not yet been taken, but
the government is friendly.

. At very great cost, our foundling orphanage was removed from
- Enshih, first to temporary quarters outside Wanhsien, then to our

rented quarters in Wanhsien. This was done because of the ©
approach of the Japanese and at the suggestion of the Enshih city.
government. i. ;

_ . Our mission, hospital and dispensary at Enshih is still the
only hospital in a radius of roughly 175 miles. The opportunities for
‘service are simply unlimited, but the staff and equipment are
severely restricted, and the work is maintained at great sacrifice.

Inflationary prices of all necessary supplies have gone beyond
the fantastic, and the end of the inflation is not yet in sight. Because’
of this our Free China field has required very large additional
subsidies.—In similar manner the war reacted unfavorably on
the prices of all necessities of life in’ India, which then forced us
again to grant large bonuses to our missionaries and our national
mission workers in that country.

Our India field has been able to function much more normally :
than the China field, although here, ‘too, the need of additional
workers and funds has been acute. A Joint Teachers’ Training

: Institute has been established at Nagercoil and is linked up with
our seminary. The seminary has been operating as completely .
as possible. The instructors are bending every effort to give
our. India Church well-qualified pastors, teachers, and other
servants. _ _ to, ns

_ ‘Our hospital at Ambur, South India, has been doing. extensive
work both in the city and at wayside dispensaries. Here, as in China,
there is great need of American physicians and nurses,