The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1932, Page 149

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THE LUTHERAN PIONEER 149

opportunities for advancement to better positions,
there is, also in the opinion of Negroes themselves,
every reason to believe that this change of habitat
will be permanent. Hence we must cast longing
eyes also on the North and trust that, as every
larger Lutheran center has and supports a city mis-
sion, so within the next few years the Forgotten
Man at our doors will also not be neglected.

Requests to open a mission have come from Man-
hattan, N. Y., Orange, N.J., Detroit, Mich., Mil-
waukee, Wis., Kansas City, Mo., Indianapolis, Ind.,
Omaha, Nebr., and Vernon, Tex.

While the Missionary Board feels that missions
in Lutheran centers should be begun and financed
by local congregations, yet it would be well for them
to consult the Missionary Board before opening a
mission. In some of the above cities there are a few
Lutherans whose addresses are on file, and there are
other reasons which make this procedure advisable.

Christian Giving.

Much commendable progress has been made in
the grace of Christian giving. On the whole, our
people contribute towards the support of their
churches according to their respective abilities.
During 1931 the average contribution in -the
Eastern Field was $10 per communicant member.
Until May, 1932, total reecipts in the various con-
gregations have not decreased at an alarming rate.
Due to a larger membership a few churches show
a slight increase in offerings over the same period
of last year. St. Philip’s, St. Louis, is on the thresh-
old of self-support.

In view of the economic status of the Negro we
do look into the future with more concern. The
Negro is the last man to obtain a good position in
prosperous times and the first man to lose it in
duller times. A committee of the Urban League
has found that, while Negroes form four per cent.
of the population of Chicago, sixteen per cent. of
the total unemployed are Negroes; in Baltimore
81.5 per cent. of the unemployed are Negroes, al-
though only 17 per cent. of the population is col-
ored; in Buffalo 25.8 per cent. of those out of work
are Negroes, though only 3 per cent. of the popula-
tion is of that race; in Philadelphia one-fourth of
the unemployed are Negroes, and 7 per cent. of the
population is listed as Negroes.

A Change in Educational Work.

The Board for Colored Missions found itself
compelled to make an important change in our edu-
cational work. ‘The present financial conditions and

the outlook do not warrant us to carry on this work
as it has been done in the past, when financial aid
was liberally forthcoming. Your Board has there-
fore resolved —

a) To discontinue Luther Preparatory School
at-New Orleans at the close of the school-year 1932;

b) That Alabama Luther College serve as a girls’
preparatory school for Immanuel Lutheran College;

c) That the work at Immanuel Lutheran Col-
lege continue in its present form.

Nore. — While the “closed-door” policy is the
ideal and we believe it should be carried into effect
as soon as practicable and avisable, we aré ready to
abide by the “open-door” policy, as defined in the
minutes of July 8, 1930.

“Missionstaube” and “Pioneer.”

Since the question of continuing these two mis-
sion-papers has agitated the minds of the Board
members for some time, it was resolved to submit
the question to Synodical Conference whether under
present conditions the discontinuance of the Jfis-
sionstaube and the Pioneer be advisable.

Deficit of ‘‘“Missionstaube” and ‘“Pioneer.’’

Missionstaube Pioneer

Year 1924....... $ 604.54 Year 1924....... $ 609.91
oP L ODD steislel ate’ 1,873.55 66 O25 wraterereters 1,659.76
poimaeL O2G sietoleletals 1,402.26 OF cocadod 1,401.28
welll O2 Tjatciateteret 1,761.32 TOY fa cosod 1,738.12
« 1928 1,318.00 sce LOLS ssicleleiara 1,653.46
roel O20 cre acielers 1,299.29 Se L OLS celcreintare 1,600.23
« 1930....... 1,628,.66° 1930... ..... 1,629.38*
wou OS Listatelelarats 1,872.95 Seite LOS Listarctertote 1,627.45

*$100 included in this figure was paid out in 1931.

Executive Secretary.

In His wise providence the Lord, on March 3,
1931, removed our beloved Executive Secretary,
Christopher Drewes, from the Church Militant to
the Church Triumphant. Thus the office of Execu-
tive Secretary became vacant. Your Board has not
filled that office up to this time and feels that it
should not be filled while the present financial con-
ditions prevail. The work of the Executive Sec-
retary has been distributed among the Board
members. :

Dr. Geo. Mezger.

We cannot but recall at this time the wonderful
services of our beloved and venerable former chair-
man, Dr. Geo. Mezger. Unstintingly did he employ
his talents in furthering the cause of Colored Mis-
sions. It was dear to him. Our heavenly Father
has now released him from all earthly labors and
granted him the reward of grace.