Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1954, Page 118

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118 Proceedings of the Forty-Third Convention,

souls for Christ, in whom alone men have redemption through His blood,
namely, forgiveness of sins, and ultimately, life everlasting.

In all humility of heart we want to say that our visitation was most
helpful and beneficial to our workers on the Dark Continent. It afforded
us an opportunity to re-evaluate our entire Church setup and to steer
our work into such channels which will prove more favorable for the flow
of the “waters of life.’ We tried to perform our tasks conscientiously
and courageously. It pleased God to use us in a small way to do His
work so that men might come ever closer to Jesus and that they might
learn the truth which alone can make them free.

What about the future? In view of its uncertainties, shall we retard
our steps and await resignedly the outcome of man’s scheming and plan-
ning? God knows that the work of the Synodical Conference in Nigeria
was not carried on to gain the plaudit of peoples who have been the
recipients of our goodness over a long period of time. The purpose of
the Synodical Conference in going to West Africa was supercharged with
the love for souls which have been dearly purchased with the blood and
life of the Redeemer. It was not our aim and ambition to plant on
heathen soil banners which bore the inscription of the respective Synods
of the Synodical Conference entrusted with this work, but to sink into
the ruins of heathen altars, broken down and demolished by the Sword
of the Spirit, the Cross, which is symbolic of the Savior who, as the Lamb
of God, was slain for the propitiation of man’s sins. Come what may,
in this Cross, which “towers o’er the wrecks of time,” we shall always
glory.

We petition our heavenly Father in this evening hour of the world
to bestow His grace and love upon our workers and their families in
far-away Nigeria and to bless their ministrations to such an extent that
souls commended to their care may not only be kept on the narrow way
which leadeth to heaven, but that also other souls, now languishing in
the prison cells of eternal death, may be liberated and brought into a new
freedom which only Christ can give,

Statistics

In forwarding the statistical report of the Ev. Lutheran Church
of Nigeria for 1953 to the Missionary Board on March 11, 1954,
Supt. Wm. H. Schweppe wrote the following in his letter to the
Executive Secretary: “Herewith the statistical report for 1953. It
shows that the Lord has again been good to us in spite of our many
sins and weaknesses.”

We cannot but praise and thank Almighty God for the many
blessings bestowed upon the mission endeavors of the four Synods
that comprise the Synodical Conference. As we make a meditative
retrospection of the past eighteen years, we realize that God has
been especially gracious to us despite our many failings and short-
comings. To Him all honor and glory!

Our Workers
The following missionaries are now on the field:

American workers:

Rev. C. W. Baringer, Miss Aileen Krueger, Mr. E. J. Baer,
Rev. H. A. Hein, Mr. H. L. Newton, Rev. H. M. Ottemoeller,
Rev. J. L. Konz, Miss Lucile Kraus, Mr. L. C. Haitz, Prof. N. H.
Reim, Rev. A. R. Finger, Rev. G. M. Becker, Dr. T. F. Meves,
Mrs. V. Meves, Rev. R. A. Krugler, Rev. R. L. Lail, Rev.
W. F. Winter, Rev. E. J. Greve, Mr. Glenn Dallman, Rev. V. J.
Spiekerman, Mr. R. A. Spangenberg, Mr. Robert W. Meyer.
Vicars: Duane Mehl and Paul Bartling.