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LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1926, Page 102

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

102 Proceedings of Thirty-Third Regular Convention,

Seminary in Hankow, 9 students. Schools, 13; pupils, 629.
Sunday-schools, 4. Reading-rooms, 9.

The Mission owns some property in Hankow, Ichang, Shasi,
Shihnan, and Kuling.

Unfortunately we were not able, during the past three years, to
send out ag many men as in the previous term. Four missionaries
and one woman teacher joined the forces in India; one missionary,
two nurses, and one woman teacher in China. A number of the calls
issued were not accepted, in most cases for really valid reasons.
A pity that we also suffered heavy losses in workers. Two efficient
missionaries left India and two also left China; in most cases for
reasons of health. ,

Our missionaries are devoting much time not only to.the direct
preaching of the Gospel, but also to the education of native pastors
and teachers. India and China each have a small preachers’ seminary
now, which with God’s help can become a source of great blessing
for both these countries. In China the first class, according to present
indications, will enter office this year.

In both of the heathen countries the territory in which we work
was extended, and new stations were begun. The budget provided
$12,000 annually for the purchase of land and for building. This
sum was augmented by moneys privately collected. Immensely more
could have been done if workers had been available. Remarkable
mission opportunities beckon us; wide doors are open to us; we are
being called into new fields. Our missionaries constantly beg us to
send more laborers. We would like to ask all members of our Synod
to heed this call. God grant that we shall be able to send a large
number of young warriors for Christ to India and China this year.
In the course of time it has become increasingly evident that, owing
to the peculiar Oriental conditions and the difficulties attending mis-
sions, our male and female mission-workers ought to be more spe-
cifically trained for the work they are called to do than formerly.
Concerning this point we shall make some proposals at the close of
this memorial.

Besides shortage of laborers we have had to complain also of the
financial straits of the treasury during the past years. Since the last
convention our deficit has almost reached the sum of $100,000. That
such a debt has a depressing effect upon the missionaries and the
board and that they are discouraged from extending the field still
more goes without saying. We have gained a young doctor for our
medical mission, who, God willing, will enter our service next year.
In China a Lutheran doctor was enrolled, who has now returned. to
his home in Germany. In India a non-Lutheran now serves as head
physician of our hospital. A candidate for the ministry is at present
preparing himself for the high calling of a mission doctor. The