# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S503
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

536 CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS

That such action be prosecuted with all diligence until th,
proper solution is arrived at. .
“B. That the Central Illinois District petition Synod to
protect it in its territorial rights and privileges which it has
and should enjoy under the By-Laws of Synod.
C. That the Central Illinois District address an Overture tg

Synod advising that it is the considered opinion of Synod that

the agreement of 1911 between Synod and the former English

Lutheran Synod, now the English District of our Synod, be

reviewed and revised, since

a. Conditions have definitely changed in these intervening

37 years, and all Districts of Synod in North America have
become English-speaking Districts, and that therefore a
separate English District has become unnecessary; and since

b. The continued existence of a District which has no estab-

lished boundaries and can therefore operate within the
areas of other Districts which are territorially limited leads
to frictions and controversies within Synod.”

Wuereas, Under the agreement of 1911 Synod agreed that the
move toward amalgamation must originate within the English Dis-
trict; and

Wuereas, Synod officially at a later date (Proceedings of Synod
1923, page 137) reaffirmed this position; and

Wuereas, An agreement entered upon by two parties cannot
be abrograted by one party without the consent of the other; and

Wuereas, On June 1, 1937, Synod’s representatives, Dr. F. L.
Lankenau and the Rev. O. H. Schmidt, assured the English District
“that no attempt is to be made to coerce our District in this matter
nor to agitate for a decision on this vital question (1937 English
District Proceedings, page 91 ff.); and

Wuereas, Synod under its constitution protects its constituent
Districts in the exercise of their duties, rights and privileges, there-
fore we claim the same protection as a District whose status as @
non-territorial unit was recognized and guaranteed by the agree-
ment of 1911; therefore be it

Resolved, That we bring the above to the attention of Synod
in connection with the memorial of the Central Illinois District
under the confident conviction that The Lutheran Church — Mis-
souri Synod will continue to respect its agreement of 1911, and
confirmed in 1923, to redeem the promise made by its official rep-
resentatives in 1937, and to extend also to the English District the
protection guaranteed to all under its constitution; and be it further

Resolved, That we sincerely regret the pressure upon our Dis-

‘CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS 537

trict, congregations, and pastors, from without the English District
for amalgamation, which has been an irritant and seriously re-
tarded the movement toward a natural amalgamation.

THE COMMITTEE ON AMALGAMATION
Rev. A. F. Brown, Chairman Mr. W. H. Kroecer
Rev. F. C. Prors. Mk. E. F. SCHEUMANN
Rev. E. H. Besrens, Secretary Mr. A. A. Mamna

Committee Report

We have seriously considered the report of the District Com-
mittee on Amalgamation, and we concur in its report found on
pages 2 and 3 of the mimeographed memorials, and we heartily
commend our District Committee for its consecrated work and fine
evangelical spirit.

Action: The report was approved.

Tue EnciisH District
C. F. Danxwortsa, Secretary

‘Re English District
(Memorial 520)

Wuereas, Conditions have definitely changed during the thirty-
nine years since the signing of the agreement in 1911 between
Synod and the former English Lutheran Synod, now the English
District of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod; and

Wuereas, All Districts of The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod in North America have become English-speaking Districts,
so that a separate English District has become unnecessary; and
Wuereas, The continued existence of a District which has
no established boundaries and can therefore operate within the
areas of other Districts which are territorially limited leads to
friction and controversies within Synod; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Central Illinois District address an overture
to Synod advising that it is the considered opinion of the District
that the agreement of 1911 between Synod and the former English
Lutheran Synod, now the English District of our Synod, should

be reviewed and revised. . Tae Centra, Inpivors Disrrict

H. E. ZIMMERMANN, Secretary

ACTION
Upon recommendation of Committee 6, Synod resolved:

‘Resolution 24

Wuereas, The English District dissolution’ has been up for
study again and again before Synod; and