# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1947_S18
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

16 PRESIDENT’S TRIENNIAL REPORT

of “A Statement.” At the beginning the Praesidium attempted
to prevent misunderstandings and disagreement, Many meetings
were held. A special committee was appointed, which held a num-
ber of meetings. Last January the Praesidium reached an agree-
ment with representatives of the signers of “A Statement,” that
the issues involved should be studied carefully by conferences on
the basis of theses sent out under the auspices of the Praesidium.
Conferences have already been requested to study the document
“Sola Scriptura.” Another document on “Principles of Fellow-
ship” is about ready for distribution. Theses on the doctrine of
the Visible and the Invisible Church and on the Principle of Love
in our church activity are in preparation. It is our fervent prayer
and earnest hope that the careful, prayerful, and fraternal dis-
cussions of these issues and others, which will be presented in
due time, will under God remove all confusion and preserve
genuine peace and harmony within our Synod.

Delegates to the convention have been sent by their respective
circuits of congregations to discuss and to decide upon important:
and far-reaching questions. We must keep in mind that we are
a church convention. Some practices common at secular or
political conventions would be altogether out of place at a church
convention. There must be no lobbying and no electioneering and
no manner of propaganda behind the scenes. If anyone finds that
a brother has forgotten the ordinary propriety for a church con-
vention, he should correct him and by all means not be influenced
by such activity. We are here to carry on our Savior’s business
in a very frank and open manner, Committees have been appointed,
and in these appointments due consideration was given to select
men from the various Districts of our Synod, that there might be
‘proper equity of representation. The selections were made largely
on the basis of qualifications and characterizations given by men
in the respective Districts, Anyone interested in certain matters
may appear before these committees and present his views. Again,
after the respective committees bring their resolutions to the con-
vention, an opportunity will be given to the delegates for a dis-
cussion in a frank and open manner. Hence no place should be
given to any kind of secret propaganda or maneuvering either in
the elections or in any other business of the convention, The con-
vention always invokes the guidance of the Holy Spirit and after
thorough discussion votes upon the question. Thus all matters
not decided by the Word of God are decided by a majority vote.

Brethren, let us address ourselves to the work of the con-
vention with the fervent prayer that God may grant us a rich
measure of His grace and that He may keep our beloved Synod
firmly fastened to the moorings of His Holy Word. World and