The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1925, Page 70

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70

THE LUTHERAN PIONEER.

Some years ago it was reported that within 140
miles of the scene of the labors of Robert Morrison,
the first Protestant missionary of China, there were
three counties, containing some ten thousand vil-
Jages, in hundreds of which no missionary or Chris-
tian worker had ever set foot. Of the 2,033 walled
cities of China only 693 have missionaries.

A Crisis.

China is like a molten iron, ready for the
molding. The present crisis in China is a challenge
to the Christian Church to set forth its utmost
missionary efforts. Every circumstance calls for
prompt and generous action on the part of Chris-
tians in behalf of China. China_is loudly calling
on us. God is plainly pointing the way for us.
To-day is the day of supreme opportunity for the
Church. It is a day of supreme responsibility as
well. The boundless opportunities which China to-
day offers the Christian missionary forces carry
with them the responsibility that the Christians of
this our generation redeem the time and make the
best of present favorable conditions. To bring the
Gospel to China was never so urgent as now.

F.J.L.

The Children’s Collection.

Dear Frrenps or Our Cotorep Misstons: —

Your Treasurer has been asked to make a report
on the progress of the Children’s Collection for
buildings in our mission-field. ‘Thig he will en-
deavor to do. A report is appended. But, before
you read it, you must understand all the circum-
stances in connection with such a report.

To begin with, we receive money in two ways.
The one is the regular, orderly method suggested
by our synods, in which all moneys go successively
through the hands of the congregational treasurer,
the District treasurer, the respective synod’s treas-
urer, and from the latter to the treasurer of the
Mission Board. When this method is used, the
books of the respective treasurers reflect the offer-
ings of their constituencies, and we-can give the
proper credits to the Districts or synods, as the case
may be. The other method used is more direct,
in that the offerings of congregations, societies,
‘schools, Sunday-schools, or individuals are sent
' directly to the treasurer of the Mission Board.
However, in the present instances it partly defeats
the’ purpose to this extent, that the respective Dis-
tricts or synods do not get the credit which properly
belongs to them. Furthermore, it is not the method

advocated by the various synods comprising the
Synodical Conference.

The immediate purpose.of this report is to show
what the respective synods and Districts have
offered for the particular project assigned to them.
In order to do this, we have summarized our re-
ceipts from these sources up to March 31, 1925.
The results are appended. However, these figures
do not take into consideration the sums received
directly from other sources. Hence the report is
incomplete. Next month, if the editors will devote
the necessary space to it, we shall show the receipts
from all sources, grouped according to projects.

Now a few words as to the report itself. In
only one instance do the receipts exceed the appro-
priation. In all others there are gaps of greater
or less degree. There may be several reasons for
the gaps. Possibly the collection has not been fin-
ished in your congregation. Or it may be finished,
and the money has not been remitted to your Dis-
trict treasurer. There may even be a few places
where the collection has not been started. What-
ever the reason, there is a solution. All of the
appropriations are equally important. They vary
only in location and in the amount of money
needed. So, no matter which operation has been
assigned to your District or synod, it deserves your
support. And we believe you will give it if you
have not already done so. In any event, let us
finish the task, so that these humble churches and
schools can be erected and serve to spread the
Gospel to an ever-increasing number of our colored

brethren.
The Children’s Collection.

Project. Receipts. Goal.
Mobile, Ala., church and school.... $5,500.00
Wisconsin Synod ..............$1,317.78
Pine Hill, Ala., church and school. . $1,000.00
California and Nevada District. $575.16
Ingomar, Ala., church and school. . $1,000.00
Northern: Nebraska District... .$1,054.32
Rosebud, Ala., church and school... $1,500.00
Alberta and British Columbia
Districts Oo ecw eee ees $129.80
Manitoba and Saskatchewan Dis-
trict cto 137.91
Ontario District ............... 176.06
$443.77
Selma, Ala., church and school..... $3,500.00
Kansas District ............... $1,340.92
Oklahoma District ............. 413.94
Texas District ................ , 647.38
$2,402.24
$20,000.00

Alabama Luther College, Selma, Ala.
se veeeeee $1,278.86

* The Atlantic and Northern Illinois Districts have
undertaken to finance chapels for Colored Missions in
their midst. The offerings here recorded are special gifts
apart from the Districts’ immediate objective.

Atlantic District * ..