# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1947_S12
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

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10 PRESIDENT’S. TRIENNIAL REPORT

Our Committee on Miscellaneous Matters is requested to take
note of this and to present appropriate resolutions to our convention.

After the last convention your President in consultation with

the Vice-Presidents appointed the various committees as resolved

by the convention at Saginaw.

Your President requested all congregations of Synod to take
cognizance of the cessation of hostilities in the European Theater of
War and also in the Pacific Theater of War. From reports received
the services of thanksgiving in connection with V-E Day were quite
general, Again, services of special gratitude to God were conducted
in practically all our congregations after V-J Day. The children
of the world, especially in certain areas, resorted to noisy demon-
strations. The children of God, however, realizing that only God
maketh wars to cease, assembled in their houses of God to thank
and praise Him for bringing the horrible global war to an end and
also to join in earnest, fervent prayer that peace, a just and honor-
able peace, might be restored.

It soon became apparent that many of the anticipated postwar
problems were not imaginary but soon became grim and appalling
realities. We thank God that the problems in connection with the
rehabilitation of servicemen, who had been in all parts of the world,
did not present the staggering difficulties which some expected. In
most instances the returning servicemen and women were so thank-
ful to God that they were permitted to be back home and to wor-
ship again with their local congregation as well as to become again
an integral part of its activity. Of course, in some instances there
has been the exception of sad experiences. They have added much
to the burdens of our faithful pastors, teachers, and congregations.

Very great problems of the postwar period confronted us,
and still confront us, in the war-torn countries. It was a blessing
that our congregations responded so nobly in the Peace Thank~
offering and thus provided the funds to enable our Church almost
immediately to take hold of some of the most necessary physical
and spiritual relief in the blood-stained and war-torn areas of
Europe. We were permitted to feed undernourished children and
hungry and starving adults. We were also able to send clothing to
those who were exposed to the ravages of winter. This work is not
finished. The cry for help is a piercing and heart-rending one.
A person hates to think of the coming winter, which may be the
worst since the close of the war. Our National Advisory Emergency
Planning Council presents its reports and definite proposals. May
God give us wisdom and courage to take the proper action!

The Prisoner of War work, about which we reported at the last
convention, was continued until the prisoners were returned to