# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1959_S 1
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

FOREWORD

The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod met for its 44th reg-
ular Convention in San Francisco, California, from Wednesday
afternoon, June 17, to Friday afternoon, June 26, 1959. It was the
first time in the history of the Synod that one of its conventions
had been held on the West Coast and it appeared to be the consid-
ered opinion of the delegates that the decision to “Go West” had
been a wise one.

The congregations of the Bay Area were hosts to the Conven-
tion and had made the necessary arrangements, through commit-
tees, to assure a smooth-functioning convention. All sessions were
held in the Civic Auditorium, which was sufficiently large to per-
mit all voting and advisory delegates to be seated at tables on the
main floor — an innovation that was much appreciated by the
delegates, who attended faithfully the eight morning, nine after-
noon, and four evening sessions.

The opening service was conducted in the Civic Auditorium
on Wednesday morning, June 17. Dr. Clemens Hoopmann of Aus-
tralia delivered the Confessional Address on 1 John 1, 8-9, and Vice-
President Oliver Harms preached on Psalm 96, 3: “Declare His
Glory.” Holy Communion was celebrated with St. Paulus Congre-
gation of San Francisco assuming the role of host congregation and
its pastor, the Rev. Arthur Nitz, serving as celebrant, assisted by
twelve clergymen of the area. 2,363 delegates and members par-
took of Holy Communion.

Dr. J. W. Behnken, re-elected President of Synod, presided
at the sessions. Throughout the convention there prevailed a broth-
erly spirit of good will, an unmistakable loyalty to the Scriptures
and the confessional writings of the Lutheran Church, and a deep
concern to plan the work of the Synod for the next triennium
according to a progressive, forward-looking pattern.

The morning and afternoon sessions were opened with devo-
tional services which included, in the morning, sermonets preached
by several of the District Presidents. The minutes, which are
a part of the PROCEEDINGS, list the names of those participating in
these devotional services and the topics of the sermonets.

Dr. Paul Bretscher, professor at Concordia Theological Sem-
inary in Saint Louis, read a doctrinal essay on the topic “Take Heed
unto the Doctrine.” The complete essay has been made a part of
the PROCEEDINGS.

Business was transacted on the basis of resolutions prepared
and presented by the 18 committees which had been appointed by

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