The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1926, Page 52

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: _ THE LUTHERAN PIONEER.

52

to relate itself to the moral problems of the
people. The great village and country popu-
lation of the island is untouched.

Cuba.

Cuba, “The Pearl of- the Antilles,” is
seven hundred miles long, has a coast-line of
over two thousand miles, and boasts of two
hundred harbors. It was discovered by, Co-
lumbus on his first voyage in 1492. Cuba’s
area is somewhat greater than that of Ohio,
and its population is about half that of the
State named. The proportion of whites in
Cuba is larger than in any of the other West
Indian islands, or about three-fifths of: the
population. ‘The relationship existing be-
tween the whites and Negroes of Cuba is very
friendly. Since the Spanish War popular education
has been emphasized, and illiteracy has been greatly
reduced. Marriages have also increased fifty per
-cent. during this period, which indicates a great
moral improvement. :

Six Protestant denominations have missions in
Cuba, among them also the Lutheran Missouri
Synod, -with three stations. The total Protestant
membership on the island is only about 15,000. In
-the Sunday-schools there are about 12,000 pupils.
The various Protestant denominations working in
Cuba are conducting forty-four elementary mission-
schools attended by more than 3,000 pupils.

Porto Rico.

Porto Rico is probably more responsive to the
Gospel than any other part of Latin America. The-
people of Porto Rico, more than most Latin Ameri-
cans, seem to realize that religion and morality are
inseparable. ee

With its area of 3,500 square miles and popula-

Caymanero Huts on the Isle of Pines. ~

Lutheran Chapel in Santa Fe, Isle of Pines.

tion of 1,300,000 Porto Rico is one of the most
densely populated countries of the world. It is
about three times the size of Rhode Island and has
about twice as many inhabitants. Since the island
has come into possession of the United States it has
made great strides in education, and a number of
American Protestant bodies have opened missions
on the island, among them also the United Lutheran
Church. F.J.L.

The Why and How of Missionary
Societies.

A pastor of our Church not long ago requested .

the editor to give him some arguments for a mis-
sionary society and also asked for suggestions how

to organize one. Now, while the editor by no means.

would pose as an authority on the matter of mis-
sionary societies, he will try in the following lines
to accede to the wishes of the brother.

There are several ways of diffusing missionary
information, but the best way is by means of
a missionary society which is willing to be
what its name implies. Of course, the mis-
sionary meeting, in which the pastor gives
monthly missionary talks to the whole con-

. gregation, is and always will be. the best
agency for reaching large numbers and sow-
ing broadcast the seeds of missionary infor-
mation and missionary enthusiasm. And
where these monthly missionary meetings
have been introduced in a church, they
should by all means be continued. But the
information given these talks will of neces-
sity be fragmentary and incomplete and will

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