The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1926, Page 20

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20

THE LUTHERAN PIONEER.

begun. So also in Bolivia, with its terribly back-
ward conditions, the missionary problem is great.
In Peru we find a limited number of missionaries
of the Methodist Church, but the whole northern
part of this country is unoccupied territory. In
Venezuela the spiritual destitution of the people is
great, and there is no promise of help in the near
future, though Presbyterians and Methodists are
doing a little work within the confines of the
country.
South American Indians.

There are said to be almost ten million Indians
in South America. For example, fifty per cent. of
the people of Bolivia and Peru are Indian, and

Then we should go to South America, for in that
land there is a startling proportion of paganism.
Should we send missionaries to the south of Asia?
Then we should send missionaries to South Amer-
ica, for large numbers of Asiatics are there. Should
we go to Africa? ‘Then we should go to South
America, for the Negro is there. Should we
establish missions for the Mohammedans? Then
we should enter South America, for the Mohamme-
dan is in that continent. Should we give the true
Gospel to those who do not possess it? Then we
should send missionaries to South America, for in
that vast continent there are many millions who
are without the true Gospel and have been misled

Congregation at Sampaio, Brazil.

Colombia, Bolivia, and Brazil have large Indian
contingents. These millions have been almost
‘wholly neglected by the Roman Catholic Church,
so that they are still practically heathen. The more
civilized tribes have been approached by missionary
agencies of a number of Protestant denominations
with promising results, but the great mass of South
American aborigines, particularly the more savage
tribes of the interior, have so far remained wholly
untouched by the hand of Christianity. The gross
moral and spiritual darkness of these tribes presents
a mighty challenge to the Christian Church of
to-day ! ,
The Appeal of South America.

“South America is a continent that, on many
grounds, appeals for missionary effort.

“Should we have missions in pagan lands?

by a distorted and perverted substitute for Chris-
tianity, which is but a counterfeit and not Chris-
tianity, except in name. Any reason that can be
advanced for true Gospel missions anywhere ap-
plies just as well in South America.

“Aboriginal paganism is totally inadequate for
the task of remoralizing the people; and Roman-
ism, though it has had the opportunity for cen-
turies, has utterly failed. A new religious force is
absolutely needed.” F.J.L.

Luther Conference, New Orleans, La.

Luther Conference convened for its annual
winter session at Bethlehem Chapel, the Rev. G. M.
Kramer, pastor, on December 29 and 30. Despite