Collection › LCMS Convention Proceedings (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1926 · 33rd Convention, Holy Cross Church › Page 108
LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1926, Page 108

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

Ev. Luth. Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States. 1926. 108

expenses of his education are borne by some generous friends of our
Mission.

At the previous convention, Synod learned that a number of
Lutherans of India, formerly members of the Leipzig Mission, who
had been turned over to the care of the Swedish state church in view
of the disturbances incident to the war, had for reasons of conscience
desired to separate from the Swedes because they are no longer faith-
ful Lutherans. These people carried out their plan and then applied
to us for service. Doctrinal discussions showed that they are one in
faith with us. Although our action was misconstrued abroad, we
could do nothing but help these fellow-Christians. At five stations
one of our missionaries and the native Pastor Samuel preach to these
brethren, who are calling themselves the South India Evangelical

Lutheran Church. They number 206 souls, of whom 119 are com-:

municant members.

We can also report that the office of Director of Missions has
again proved to be of great value to the cause of our Foreign Missions.
The work of our Synod in heathen countries is so many-sided and
of so ramifying a nature that it must be conducted by a man who is
employed by the Board and devotes his entire time to this work. We
can again report that the Walther League has rendered signal ser-
vices to our missions by collecting money and publishing inspiring
articles in its publications. We owe the Walther League and our
worthy ladies’ aids, as well as many private persons, thanks for sup-
porting our mountain homes in India and China, our hospital in
India, and the poor orphans and pupils who depend on our gifts of
charity. It is especially worthy of grateful mention that two Chris-
tians of our Synod are each supporting a missionary to the heathen.
With thanks we also record that donations for our Foreign Missions
have been received from the other faithful Lutheran synods of our
‘country as well as from our brethren in the faith in Germany and
Australia.

Dr. L. Fuerbringer and President R. Kretzschmar, who faithfully
served the cause of our Foreign Missions as members of the Board for
many years, were elected honorary members of the Board and were
requested to advise the Board in deciding difficult questions. We
believe that in this matter we acted in the sense of Synod....

It is evident that we must give strong support to our Foreign
Missions if they are to flourish. We must supply our missionaries
with residences suitable for the climate in which they live. Property
must be purchased; schools, chapels, and seminary. buildings must be
.erected. According to estimates made by our missionaries, we ought
.to have about $300,000 in order to equip our stations with reasonably
adequate facilities. Two-thirds of this sum go to China, one-third
to India. China needs more;.. for up. to the present we own very little
real estate in China and are compelled to carry on our work in