Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1954, Page 128

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128 Proceedings of the Forty-Third Convention,

reduced $38. The congregation supports the kindergarten teacher
and now pays $30 a month toward the support of the upper divi-
sion. It also shares circuit traveling expenses with Montrose and
Point Clear.

The record for the past two years follows:

Children Baptized __. 27
Received by Request of Parents _. 3
Children Confirmed a 5
Adults 20. _ 3
Increase in Contributions _ 13 per cent
Reduction of Pastor’s Subsidy . $20.00 a month
Teachers’ Support 65.00 a month

The congregation gives between 20 and 25 per cent of its entire
offerings for missionary and educational purposes, such as: African
and Mohammedan missions (through the Sunday schools); field
missions expansion (Easter offerings); and Alabama Lutheran*’”
Academy-College in Selma, Ala., through the Field Educational’:
Society, the Lutheran Association for Higher Education (LAHE),
and Christmas offerings.

In the upper division of the school, 85 per cent of the children
are Lutheran. It is not difficult to gain children for the church
through baptism. And as long as they are in the school, they are
faithful. But when parents for this or that reason remove them
from the day school, with but few exceptions, they cease to be
faithful. The reason is that the majority of the school children
come from non-Lutheran homes. Fifty of our presently enrolled
children are from such homes, We are hoping against hope, it
seems, to reclaim these who are members only in name, The
obstacle appears to be insurmountable. Nevertheless, in the next
year or two we shall have large confirmation classes, God willing,
and the labor of the past years will be bearing rich fruit, by the
grace of God.

All Sunday school children remain for church services. Mid-
week study of Christian doctrine for all, old and young, is main-
tained so that the congregation “may grow thereby.” 1 Peter 2:2.

Facility handicaps are still upon us. Sixty to sixty-five chil-
dren are crowded in our 28’x16’ converted Army house every
school day. The chapel, which comfortably seats 90, must bulge at
times with 85 children and 45 adults. In Jesus’ blessed name, we
shall tear down the walls and build larger!

Weekly hospital visits are made; and occasionally a soul is
brought in. An old lady of the community, unconnected with any
church, received spiritual help regularly. When she was asked
whether she desired to be in fellowship with us, she replied: “I can-
not come to church. You see, I’m a cripple.” When she was told
that that was not necessary under the circumstances, she applied
for instruction, and now she is being taught the chief parts of
Christian doctrine. She said, “I don’t want to wait until my dying
day to be at peace with God.— We are saved by faith!”

The City Hospital is run jointly by the city and the Church
of Rome. When one of our members, hospitalized eleven months,
was dismissed, one of the representatives of the Catholic Church
asked: “Do you know why got better? Why, we prayed to
Blessed Martin De Porres for him.” After expressing a few more
sentences to show the reasonableness of it all, she ran into this: