# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1947_S4
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

2 OPENING ADDRESS

“Hallowed be Thy name.” — That the perfectly holy name of
God might be kept inviolately holy among them was the para-
mount concern of our founding fathers. On the basis of God’s
Word they were convinced that this is done when the Word of
God is taught in its truth and purity and we as the children of
God also lead a holy life according to it. That is why they were
so scrupulously conscientious about sound, Biblical, doctrine,
Scriptural practice, and godliness of life. That is why they warned
so earnestly against false doctrine and ungodly life. They recog-
nized both as grievous sins, by which the holy name of God is
profaned.

“Hallowed be Thy name” is the imprint our fathers stamped
upon our Synod. Throughout the century there has been un-
wavering adherence to, and unconditional insistence upon, Biblical
doctrine, Scriptura] practice, and godliness of life. Our doctrine
has been pure. God has given this in His Word and has preserved
it through His Word. Our life, however, has left much to be de-
sired. We have often failed miserably and have sinned grievously.
We thank God that He has been so gracious as to forgive us and
to grant us new motivation and strength to keep His name holy
also in our lives.

“Hallowed be Thy name” must be our fervent prayer as we
venture forth into the new century. Keeping God’s name holy
among us by pure doctrine and godly life should be our highest
aim and objective. An unyielding adherence to, and a spirit of
holy awe and profound respect for, God’s Word must characterize
also our future activity. On the other hand, we must dread and
abhor any and every false doctrine as a most dangerous virus
which poisons the blood streams of the Church and profanes the
name of God. Hence we pray fervently: “From this preserve us,
heavenly Father.”

“Thy Kingdom come.” —Our fathers were deeply conscious
of the fact that God’s kingdom comes indeed without our prayer,
of itself, but they wanted it to come also unto them, unto their
children, and unto others. Hence they prayed that God might
give them His Holy Spirit, soi that by His grace they might be-
lieve His holy Word and lead a godly life, here in time and here-
after in eternity. This prayer moved them to hear God’s Word.
It urged them to manifest deep concern for the tens and hundreds
of thousands who had emigrated to America that they might be
gathered into congregations and served with the pure Word and
the Sacraments. It moved them to train pastors and teachers and
to send them forth to do pioneer work along the ever-changing
frontiers of our country and Canada. ‘ .

“Thy Kingdom come” prompted our fathers to extend the