# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1956_S739
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS 739

synodical membership prepares an intelligent and active member-
ship. Thus, for instance, our exhibits in the Institute building and
elsewhere have attracted almost 10,000 visitors during the past
triennium. In these exhibits we have attempted to tell the story
of Synod’s far-flung activities in the “home” and foreign fields.
We have been able to present the operations of Synod and its
many activities visually and historically.

In addition, the Concordia Historical Institute Quarterly, pub-
lished since 1927, and doubled in size since that time, has become
the chief source of historical information pertaining to Synod.
It ranks high in the area of denominational historical magazines.
The present editor, who has served since July 1950, is Dr. Arthur
C. Repp of Concordia Seminary.

In the archives and library department the Institute endeavors
to carry out the same functions for Synod as the Library of
Congress, the library and archives of the United States, carries out
for our country. In the museum of the Institute, similar functions,
though on a more moderate scale, are carried out for Synod as
the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., does for our
country.

Basically, then, we are attempting to create in our people an
interest in the history of our Synod; to instill in our membership
a sense of gratitude to the Lord of the Church for His many and
diverse gifts; to stimulate a love for the church; to lead the church
member to an understanding of his church.

Services

In order further to stimulate historical research, the Institute
is ready:

1) to render assistance in research and writing of regional con-
gregational histories;

2) to answer specific historical questions concerning problems
of development of the Lutheran Church in the past;

3) to furnish biographical sketches and in some cases pictures
of Lutheran leaders;

4) to loan samples of previously printed histories of con-
gregations; .

5) to render assistance in the preparation of programs for
the anniversary celebrations of congregations or institutions;

6) to loan samples of anniversary programs of congregations;

7) to a limited degree to provide microfilm and photo-copy
service at a nominal fee; ,

8) to furnish bibliographies on particular phases of church

history;