# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1944_S475
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

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Report of Board for Higher Education 475

' luding students beyond the age of 22 and those who averaged
7 -(a total of six), ten would, presumably, have been acceptable
é: preparatory colleges.

fe: Thus. a total of about 22-students of the 36 admitted might have ,
rovided for by other institutions than Springfield. Of the re-
ning fourteen, nine were “Poor” students.

ere is, then, a sound basis of fact for the conclusion that Synod
facilities apart from. the Springfield Seminary for the training
“those young men who later on in life decide to enter the minis-
unless they are beyond the middle twenties in age or of a
Hehtal capacity that should disqualify them for the ministry.
2..1f.the foregoing factors argue for discontinuing the present
‘function of Springfield as a seminary, a far more compelling
reason for this step has already been presented earlier in this
section of the report under the discussion of the future need
. for pastors.

t is an undeniable fact that for almost twenty years Synod did
ot. need the combined St. Louis-Springfield output. This will be
ecognized as a complete reversal of the situation existing at the
ime of Springfield’s founding in 1846 or during the subsequent sixty
‘seventy years. Unwelcome though it be, all of us must eventually
ecognize the fact that the old order changeth, that more effective
nd economical methods of organizing the theological training have
emerged, and that institutions, formerly of primary importance,
‘under the relentless pressure of change and progress, have become
necessary.

As previously pointed out, 115 candidates per year ‘would suffice
‘or normal needs. Existing facilities of the preparatory college-St.
uis system are ample to provide Synod with even the larger num-
er estimated.

3. Moreover, observance of the principles of good stewardship is
' especially incumbent upon a church body, The uncertainty
of economic conditions in this country in the years that lie
ahead provide additional reason for so reorganizing our edu-
cational system that the utmost economy may result while
increasing excellence in the quality of theological candidates
is maintained.

- In conformity with this ideal, operating economies of $25,000-
'$30,000 annually would be effected by the elimination of Springfield
.as a theological training school. In our opinion, the annual expendi-
.ture of this sum to strengthen the other institutions would be pro-
ductive of far greater returns. ,

The Question of Two Theological Faculties
By the grace of God our Synod has been sustained in ceaseless
vigilance over the priceless heritage of doctrinal truth and confes-
sional certainty.’ Insensible to. the pressures of intellectual fashion
and materialistic rationalism, ‘it has kept its preachers, writers, and

,