# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1953_S949
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

“116 SEMINARIES AND COLLEGES

preached by the dean of the Seminary, but also the several dey
tions took cognizance of the wonderful blessings that went forth
from this institution to the congregations and the missions of our
Church.

The Seminary, started in 1903 by the Rev. J. Hartmeister has
given our Church 159 pastors and teachers. These men who in
addition to their necessary spiritual training, have ample knowl.
edge of the habits and the spirit of the Brazilian People, are able
to speak the language of the country. Verily, the Head of the
Church has caused rivers of blessings to flow forth from this
school of prophets.

Professor Dr. K, A. Rupp prepared a beautiful album com-
memorating the occasion, in which there are many excellent illus.
trations of the buildings, the teaching staff, the students, and the
work in the Seminary. Dedicatory copies have been sent to
various persons in the United States.

During the sessions various members of the convention lauded
the brethren of the Church for the liberal support that had been
tendered the Seminary durimg the 50 years of its existence, The
Board of Control, the faculty, the students, the Evangelical Ly-
theran Church of Brazil, at this time extend most sincere thanks
to the brethren of the mother church for all the support given us
during the past 50 years. We owe special gratitude to the deceased
lay brother Henry W. Horst and to Doctors F. C. Streufert and
H. A. Mayer.

That this gratitude is not merely a matter of words is evident
from the fact that all these years our Christians have contributed
liberally toward the support of the indigent students of the Semi-
nary. Besides collections many congregations contributed regularly
of all good things which their fields and gardens produced.

The Sunday nearest the 15th of October is commemorated by
the congregations as Seminary Sunday. Special collections are
taken up on this day for the benefit of the Indigent Students’
Treasury. In recognition of this support the Board of Control and
the faculty endeavor to prepare faithful pastors and teachers for
the Church.

Concerning the Student Body

In 1950 there were 116 students registered at the Seminary,

in 1951, 138, and in 1952, 134.

During this period of three years three students had to be
expelled because of ill behavior. Four students of the regular
pedagogical course, four students of the rapid pedagogical course,
and eight theological students were graduated from the Seminary.

Because of the high price of all articles of food the: Board of

SEMINARIES AND COLLEGES 117

Control was obliged: to raise the board Cr 100.00 a month. It was
3180 resolved to collect at least 10 per cent of the board money
from each indigent student.

Concerning the Faculty

In the month of May, 1950, Prof. Martin Strasen was obliged
to resign because of ill health. In his place the electoral college
chose the Rev. Hans Rottmann, educated in Springfield, Ill. Since
the beginning of 1952 he is teaching New Testament exegesis and
other subjects. The Rev. Arno Gueths, a graduate of our Semi-
nario Concérdia, was elected instructor of the Portuguese language.
In 1952 the faculty consisted of nine professors and four assistants.
Since Dr. Rehfeldt was on leave of absence in the United States,
four students were engaged to teach in the lower grades. Because
of the high cost of living a slight increase in salary had to be
granted the professors.

Concerning the Property

A larger supply tank had to be built in order to guarantee
the necessary water for the institution at all times.

The increased number of students obliged us to make room for
twenty more beds in the attic of the new building. This work was
done by Mr. Rath and two students; so the cost was much less
than it would have been had we turned over the work to some
constructor.

For our kitchen we purchased a dishwashing machine and
a frigidaire. The number of books of the library was slightly in-
creased, Then we must mention especially that additional lots were
purchased in order to round off our property. A wall was built
along the front of our sports field. Much work was done by the
students to improve this part of the campus.

In another memorial the additional requirements of the insti-
tution are enumerated.

With much gratitude to God for having afforded us the priv-
ilege of carrying on this work for 50 years, we humbly ask His
protection and blessing for the future. :

THE Boarp or Contro.
Georce J. Muster, Secretary

In addition to this report, the following memorials were con-
sidered by Committee 2:

REORGANIZATION OF SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
(Memorial 133)

One of the following pages presents a memorial, sent in by

members of the Faculty of Concordia Seminary, Porto Alegre,

Brazil, and by the Board of Control of said institution and endorsed