# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1953_S772
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

in their original texts constitute the authority for doctrine, Pact:
were urged to guide their congregations in weighing the merit
and demerits of the various versions. The program of study, pul
lication, and conference with translators and publishers aiming aj
improvement of erroneous translations is to be continued. ;

Congregations were encouraged to recognize their public rela-
tions responsibilities in their communities, to avail themselves of
the District departments, which were commended for their interest
and co-operation in public relations. The Synodical Department
of Public Relations was commended for its ability in conducting |
this difficult work.

All congregations were called upon to support the Lutheran
Hour enthusiastically. Synod gratefully acknowledged the bless-
ings of God on the Television Program and thanked those wha
made it possible.

Dr. Hanns Lilje, Landesbischof of Hannover, saluted Synod
with Dr. Martin Luther’s greeting “Gott zum Gruss und unsern
Herrn Jesus zum Trost!” He expressed the gratitude of German

riches of God’s grace and of the power and strength of God’s Word.
He added furthermore that as conditions in Western Germany grow
more normal, the people, as usual, tend to forget God, which
situation requires the Lutheran Church to feel a deep sense of
missionary obligation. In conclusion he asked our people to re-
member them in our intercessions as they would remember us,
which prayer would prove a decisive force in the present dan-
gerous situation. '

Re Unprinted Memorial 60, asking a declaration on the doc-
trines of Antichrist, the general conversion of the Jewish nation,
and the physical resurrection of martyrs, Synod resolved to “regard
the acceptance and’ reaffirmation of the Brief Statement as its
response to the request made in the memorial.” The question was
put from the floor whether the resolution meant that the Brief
Statement and Memorial 60 are in agreement. The committee
chairman answered: “The Brief Statement gives answer to Me-
morial 60.” - Eight negative votes were cast. The Rev. Arnold
Gebhardt said in explanation of his negative vote: “I voted against
the resolution, not because I do not agree with the Brief Statement,
but because the resolution fails to face the issue squarely and
decide it.” .

Greetings were received from the Pastors’ and Teachers’ Con-