# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1969_S433 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) SPECIAL MINISTRIES AND SUNDRY MATTERS 433 and committees regularly transfer materials to the In- stitute. During the past biennium these amounted to more than 150,000 items. As a result, the actual acqui- sition of materials by purchase is extremely nominal. We report the following accessions over the past two decades: 1948 ____---_ 1,324 1963 164,918 1953 _______ 7,871 1967 _____--_ 68,360 1958 ______—_ 41,486 1968 ____ 82,258 We are most grateful to so many for having con- tributed so much valuable material. Generations still to come will be even more expressive of their appre- ciation and gratitude for the preservation of such volu- minous vital sources. We would, however, like to point out that a myth seems to have persisted in recent years, namely that archival-historical concerns and interests are of a fairly recent origin in the Missouri Synod. As already stated, archives were established by the Missouri Synod in 1847, and even prior to that time both the Saxon immi- grants (1838—39) and the Franconians in the Saginaw Valley of Michigan (1840s), all antedating the organiza- tion of the Synod, provided an excellent set of docu- ments and records. In the case of the Saxon Immigra- tion particularly, it is interesting to note that the Cura- tor of the Royal Saxon Archives, Mr. C. E. Vehse, was especially involved in archival-historical work prior to 1847. Another interesting element dating back to 1850 is recorded in the synodical Namely, at that time the synodical archivist petitioned the convention to destroy certain types of “Maculatur” or “junk.” The 1850 convention minutes duly record that the “trash” that had accumulated in the synodical archives was to be burned in the presence of the Fort Wayne Pastoral Conference. Note that this was by official resolution! (Missouri Synod Proceedings. 1850. p. 41) Because of our extensive collections, we would ask: 1. Could any of the recent histories dealing with any phase of the Missouri Synod have been written without the Institute’s collections? 2. Could anyone take an adequate look at Missouri’s intersynodical relationships and theological principals without these resources? 3. Could any statistical analysis and projections be made for the Synod covering a longer period of time? 4. Could any measurements be made with respect to the Synod’s activities in missions. stewardship. educa- tion, and other areas if it were impossible to look back on ancient records in order to prepare more adequately for the future? 5. Could any extensive biographical studies be at- tempted? 6. How difficult would it be to focus special attention on various problem areas in the Synod without having the ability to consult the records of the past? Record keeping today is no longer a matter of en- gaging someone at the fag end of the day and requir- convention minutes. | ing him to keep an eye ona stack of file folders, or even tenderly dusting off old record books occasionally. Pres- ent preservation techniques and retrieval responsibilities require professional treatment. Merely think of lamina- tion and photoduplication techniques, restoration and preservation requirements, binding, collating, fumigat- ing, and a host of other processes. One of our congrega- tions recently took pride in its rather large collection of historical materials preserved in a basement storage closet. When an anniversary came up and the custo- dian in charge of the archives wanted to haul out the “booty of the ages,” he found that termites had totally destroyed the entire collection going back almost 120 years. Everything was lost in spite of good intentions. More than dead storage was needed! Services It would add unduly to the length of this report if the various types of services rendered by the Institute would be listed individually. Basically, however, the services fall into two categories: 1. Aiding and assisting reference and research work- ers in finding and utilizing the historical data on deposit; 2. Advising, counseling, and assisting in establishing and maintaining archival-historical work. Since the New York convention close to 50,000 ser- vices of various types have been performed. These range from the federal and state governments to other denominations, amateur historians, agencies, organiza- tions, and individuals. Reference and research services since 1948, when the first such records were kept. indicate an increase of several thousands annually: 1948 2,750 1963 _____.-__ 6,969 1953 ______ 5,000 1967 24,360 1958 _______. 17,000 1968 29,000 Requests for such services come by mail, by phone, and through personal visits. Request letters have ex- ceeded 3,500 during 1967 and 1968, requiring the pro- duction of about 15 letters per day. Much research often is required before a letter can even be answered. Re- quests range from the production of bibliographies and for biographical data to the search for data on the his- torical development of certain projects, agencies, and theological formulations. Bibliographical information sought on old Bibles, hymnals, and devotional literature continues at an all-time high. Our “Museum Extension Service” continues to be popular. We make available religious and cultural ob- jects and resources from the foreign mission fields to communities for “mission fairs” and other mission emphases. Some 60 mission kits are available, covering 13 mission fields. Most of the kits are in constant use. A nominal service charge is made for handling and mailing. The Concordia Historical Institute Quarterly fills a unique role not only for the Synod but for all Luther- anism in America, since it is the only journal published in our country for the study of the history of our church. It has been capably edited by Dr. Carl S. Meyer and is