# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1956_S819
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

CONVENTION MINUTES 817

stricken from the last paragraph. The suggestions of Memorial 620
were declined. The amendment that District Presidents make an
annual numerical survey of lodge members in their territory was
lost (TB:297—298, 8).

On recommendation of Committee 6, Synod urged the English
District to review the question of amalgamation in the light of
present-day conditions and instructed the President to appoint an
Amalgamation Committee to meet with a similar committee of the
English District in order to work for amalgamation (TB:281—
282, 40). The changes in Handbook 2.119, relative to the Committee
on Doctrinal Unity as presented on page 283, were adopted (TB:282—
283,41). The criteria governing the creation of new Districts set
forth on pages 283—285 were adopted (TB:283—286, 42), Districts
were encouraged to provide for study of the book of Reports and
Memorials prior to the synodical conventions (TB:286, 43). The
amendment to have these reports appear six weeks before the con-
vention was lost (TB:286, 43). The Fiscal Conference is to be aug-
mented by two representatives for each District, at least one of
whom shall be a layman (TB:286, 44). Memorial 32, dealing with
Tenure of Office, was declined (TB:287, 45). No further action was
taken on Memorials 35 and 36, dealing with the removal of a cer-
tain pastor from office (TB:287, 46). The suggestions made con-
cerning elections are to be studied by a committee to be appointed
for the purpose of studying the existing system of elections
(TB:304, 47). To be considered, unprinted memorials must in future
ordinarily be in the hands of the President at least ten days before
the convention begins (TB:304, 48). Committee 6 was dismissed.

The translation and publication of a Portuguese version of the
Lutheran Confessions was authorized (TB:266, 38). The problem
of integrating our schools in Villa Ballester, Obera, and Crespo is
to be studied (TB:266, 39). A sixth professorship, together with
$20,000 for a professor’s residence, was authorized (TB:266—267, 40).
The professors in South America were asked to devote their full
time to the purposes for which they were called (TB:267—268, 42).
The President was asked to appoint a committee which is to study
the possibility of establishing a closer relationship with the churches
in fellowship with us (TB:268, 43). The Board for Missions to the
Deaf was to mark the 60th anniversary of our church among the
deaf by vigorously prosecuting the work among the deaf (TB:
262, 33). The Board for Foreign Missions and the Lutheran Deaf
Mission Society were encouraged to begin work among the deaf
in Japan and to investigate the possibilities of similar work in other
foreign fields, the Fiscal Conference being instructed to provide
‘the necessary funds (TB:69,19 and 20). Committee 2 was dis-
missed.