# Der Lutheraner_St. Louis Missouri_1934 masthead not in scan _S73
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

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they are leading people into false teachings. Their pastors, for example, are not adequately trained and educated; some have received only the ordinary elementary school education. So it is in many cases an ignorant pastorate, for which the Mexicans have no respect. And so, in spite of all the work, nothing worthwhile comes of it. And when one further reflects that this work among the Mexicans has already been carried on for fifty years, one must say that no great progress has been made.

Another mistake committed by the Reformed churches consists in this, that they seek to present the Mexican congregations to their members as objects of pity. That is apt to produce in the Mexicans themselves the thought that one can gain earthly advantages by joining a Protestant church.

In the summer of 1922 P. W. H. Bewie, the mission director of our Texas District, began to work toward having our Synod begin the mission among the Mexicans in Texas. This work could then finally be taken in hand in the year 1926. It has already been crowned with success, so that we now have mission stations in San Antonio, Three Rivers, and Vanderbilt. Each of these posts has a congregational school

The Mexican Quarter in Three Rivers, Texas.

with a total of 75 pupils and 50 communicant members. P. A. Melendez serves the congregation in San Antonio. Teacher Meißner conducts school there. Student H. Smith of our St. Louis Seminary served the mission in Vanderbilt during the past school year. Teacher Kottmeyer conducts the school in Three Rivers. That my people value the Gospel of Christ is evident, among other things, from the fact that the worship services are well attended.

The mission in Chicago was begun by Pastors F. C. Streufert and T. W. Strieter. At present P. Jose Fernandez is serving the congregation there, which numbers 26 communicant members. He reports that his people gladly hear the Word of God and contribute according to their means to the support of their church.

P. Bruno Martinelli reports very favorably about his congregation in Los Angeles. In the district paper of our Southern California District he describes the enthusiasm that his Mexican Lutherans display. His Sunday school already contributes to the mission as well as to the Synodical emergency collection.

Candidate R. Jargo of our St. Louis Seminary served a mission among the Mexicans in St. Louis during the past school year and has, since the summer, entered fully into this work. He also regularly gives talks in the Spanish language by means of radio at our station KFUO.

The mission opportunities among the Mexicans of our country are great. The opportunities for our young candidates are many. The Spanish language is not hard to learn, especially if one has already learned Latin. Added to this is the fact that many of the Mexicans born in this country now already speak better English than Spanish. Thus there are in New York, in Los Angeles, and in San Antonio churches that must hold two services, one in the English language, the other in the Spanish. So a fine opportunity presents itself to our young preachers, who are well prepared and can learn the Spanish language with ease. Let us seize the opportunity and spread the Gospel among this people. Let us do everything in our power to bring to my countrymen, each of whom also has a soul dearly bought, the saving truth of the Word of God. If this is not brought to them, they must perish eternally. Let us therefore apply all zeal to bring them the Gospel of the salvation obtained through Christ. Above all, let us plead with the LORD for the rescue of their souls, and then also do everything on our part so that missionaries may be sent to them. If we only do this faithfully, many a poor soul that has hitherto sat in darkness will come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved.
C. Lazos.

The writer of this article is himself a Mexican, a native of Tuxtla Guttierez, Mexico. He is at present preparing himself in our seminary at Springfield for the ministry among his own people.
W. H. Bewie.

News from Germany and about the Church Events There.

The whole world is interested in what has been going on in Germany for the past year now, and many of our readers also would like to receive reliable information about this and that matter. It is, to be sure, impossible to give a report that is even somewhat accurate and complete. That requires detailed articles, indeed whole books, such as are also appearing in considerable numbers on both sides of the ocean. Severe struggles over Scripture and confession are taking place in the Reich Church, resignations, removals from office, oppression of consciences. One declaration follows upon another. But we can once again bring some communications from letters, written by persons whom we know as accurate and reliable observers and judges of the events.

The German Christians or, as their precise designation reads, the "Glaubensbewegung deutsche Christen" ("Faith Movement German Christians") are causing much stir, also through the struggles that have occurred in their midst and of which the daily press has reported. We have repeatedly been asked to say something more exact about this movement. One of our correspondents writes us about it as follows:

"1. The movement of the German Christians is a movement which has not received its impetus so much out of severe religious need, but has been thoroughly influenced by the political movement of the National Socialist Party. From the political side this movement of the German Christians is quite understandable. They wanted the unity of the Church, as the political movement wants the unity of the German people. As a movement of German Christians they demand the unreserved promotion and support of Adolf Hitler. And from the standpoint of politics the movement is to be understood. They have also attained their goal outwardly — the united Reich Church in Germany has come into being. From this it follows, however, 2. that the movement of the Deut-