The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1927, Page 25

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THE LUTHERAN PIONEER.

25

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Our Statistical Report.

The annual statistical report compiled by Di-
rector Drewes, which appears in this number,
should be attentively read by our readers. Though
made up of figures, they are by no means dry
figures to those who are interested in the work
which our Church is doing among the freedmen.

The number of baptized members totaled 5,123
at the end of 1926, an increase of 415 persons over
1925. No less than 428 persons were baptized by
our missionaries last year. Very gratifying is also
the large number of guests who approached the
Lord’s Table in the course of the year, over a thou-
sand more than in:the previous year.

The day-schools had an enrolment, at the end
of 1926, of 3,108 pupils, and the Sunday-school
enrolment was 3,396. Besides the more than 5,000
baptized members in our churches and the more
than 3,000 pupils in our day-schools and Sunday-
schools who are not yet members, it is probable that
our mission-workers directly and indirectly reach
out to, and influence, more than 25,000 persons by
their labors.

The: total contributions raised on the field
amounted to $32,658.91, an increase of more than
$1,000 over 1925. Considering the financial re-
sources of the Negroes, it will have to be admitted
that our colored Christians are truly appreciative
of what the Church is doing for them and that
they try to prove this in a practical way.

St. Paul’s, New Orleans, with 408 baptized and
234 communicant members, is our largest colored
congregation. Bethlehem, New Orleans, has the
largest school enrolment, 226. Mount Zion, New
Orleans, has the largest Sunday-school enrolment,
214. Grace Church, St. Louis, reached the highest
mark in baptisms, 43; forty-one of these were
pupils of the day-school. Rosebud, Ala., leads all
the rest in the number of confirmations, 24.
Pastor Alston’s Kannapolis, N. C., congregation re-
ports the greatest number of guests at the Lord’s
Table, though the members of Pastor Thompson’s
church at Tilden, Ala.; have the best average to
report.

God be thanked for this growth! F.J.L.

Our Sanitarium at Wheat Ridge, Colo.

The letter which follows was received by the
Editor quite a while ago, but after its receipt was
soon mislaid by him. Though parts of the letter

must be omitted because they are out of date, the
greater portion is still as worthy of publication as it
was when it was written. The letter was written
by a young man who spent about a year at Wheat
Ridge. It gives our readers a good opportunity to
see what a blessing our Sanitarium is. Here is the
letter: —

“T shall endeavor to tell you some things about
our Sanitarium at Wheat Ridge. The Sanitarium,
as you know, is located near the foot of the majestic
Rocky Mountains, about eight miles from the heart
of Denver. It is a beautiful building which our
Lutheran young people have erected here for those
afflicted with that lingering disease — tuberculosis.
The building is really a wonderful piece of archi-
tecture and is set in a beautiful lawn, dotted with
trees and beautiful flower-beds. Everything about
the whole institution is calculated to create a cheer- °
ful atmosphere. It is really a hard thing to tell in
words what a blessed work is carried on here by
our Church. It must be seen to be appreciated and
understood. During the summer hundreds of
tourists visit the institution. I haven’t seen one
who was not full of praise for our Sanitarium, espe-
cially because of its cleanliness and cheerfulness.
Many of the visitors have been through other, sim-
ilar places, but ours received their highest praise.

“Tet me tell you a little about how the patients
are treated. The Sanitarium has a modern X-ray
machine and is equipped with all up-to-date neces-
sities. A nose-and-throat specialist is connected
with the institution, as is also a dentist. Upon the
roofs of the porches is the sun roof for heliotherapy
treatments, which are given to patients afflicted with
bone, skin, or organic tuberculosis.

“Rest is the most essential factor in curing
tuberculosis; fresh air and good food are the other
essentials. The new patient, upon his arrival, is
placed in the Infirmary for at least a week, till his
case has been fully diagnosed. After this he is
moved out on the porch. «By this time he has
learned the rules which he must follow while he is
here. While on the porch, he is practically outside,
and on the porch he passes all his time, night and
day, and only goes into his room to dress. The
rooms are very cozy and are furnished with a dresser
and a rocker. Every room has also its own wash-
bowl, which eliminates infection. -

“The men’s side of the building is to the east,
while the women occupy the west side. On the
porch one meets the other patients,.since each bed
is separated from the others by only low partitions;
and here the latest topics are discussed. This daily.