LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1932, Page 113

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

152 Proceedings of Thirty-Fifth Regular Convention,

Therefore Committee 14 endorses the plan of Committee 8 (Over-
ture 601, B, 5) and recommends that Synod concur in these resolu-
tions; namely, that the Immigrant Mission in Western Canada be
continued and transferred to the Districts of Western Canada.

Synod adopted thig report.

Synod’s Relations with the Finnish National Church.
(See Memorial 307.)

Our committee on relations with the Finnish National Church
composed of President F. Pfotenhauer, D.D., Prof. W. H. T. Dau,

hearty thanks to our Synod for the annual subsidy of $1,200 and has
asked for the same support.

Committee 14 reported as follows: —

The relations between the Finnish National Church and our
Synod have steadily improved. Testimony to the truth is borne within
the Finnish circles, and there is a decided move for improvement.
The fact that a Finnish student, E. Ni opala, has been graduated from
our institution in Springfield has strengthened the confidence in our

Our recommendations : —~

Resolved: —

a. That the present Committee on Relations with the F innish
National Church be retained and that its work be continued ;

b. That the present committee be authorized to augment itself by
one member, since Dr. W. H. T. Dau, a member of this committee, can
no longer serve ;

ce. That in accordance with plans submitted by the Committee on
Appropriations an annual allowance, if possible, be granted for this
cause, the sum being determined according to the resolution of Synod
pertaining to the budget.

Synod adopted this report.

European Missions.
(See Memorial 310.)

In this report it was pointed out that the number of souls served
by our European brethren in Germany has grown from 1,439 in 1877
to 12,778 in 1931, including 9,385 communicant members. Fifty pas-
tors of the Free Church are serving 57 organized congregations or
parishes at 175 different places, scattered throughout Germany. Many

Arn rrp een nen ee

Ev. Luth. Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States. 1932. 153

~ of these congregations are to be considered as mission-places. The
. theological institution at Zeklendorf is playing an important part in
‘ the mission-work. This work is also furthered by the Schriftenverein

of the Free Church.

The report dwelt also on the work of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in Finland, which comprises seven congregations, with 422
souls and 244 communicants. Owing to financial conditions these con-
gregations contributed only $730 last year, so that they are still in
need of support.

The congregation in Arensburg, Esthonia, comprising 139 souls,
contributed $764 last year. The members are making great sacrifices
according to their limited means.

The Free Church in Alsace, France, is also in need of continued
support.

Concerning these European Missions, Committee 14 brought in
the following report :—

In Europe our Missouri Synod supports the Ey. Luth. Free

’ Church of Saxony (about 9,000 communicants), the Ev. Luth. Free

Church of Finland (244 communicants), the Ev. Luth. Chureh in
Arensburg, Esthonia (139 souls), the Ev. Luth. Free Church in Alsace
(890 communicants), and others. A total of approximately 13,000
communicants are included in these churches.

Studying the requests of these brethren, the Mission Board for
European Missions has proposed a subsidy of $56,628, which sum the
Appropriations Committee has reduced to $40,000, and this sum is
indefinite at present. ,

The situation is such that the work cannot be continued without
our aid. The brethren contribute liberally according to their means.
They also exercise great care in distributing and applying our gifts.
The testimony of true Lutheranism is bearing fruit even though it
meets with tremendous opposition on the part of the state church.

Our recommendations : —

Resolved : —

a. That in accordance with such resolutions as are adopted by
Synod pertaining to the budget, Synod grant a subsidy for missions
in Europe;

b. That the Board for European Missions continue in its study
of the European field and that instead of sending a regular represen-
tative who is to succeed Dr. Mezger, as requested by the European
brethren, it be authorized, if necessary, to send a representative to
visit the field at such time as the Board of Directors may designate;

c. That the matter of salaries in Europe be referred to the Board
of Directors and the Board for European Missions.

Synod adopted this report.