# Lehre und Wehre_St. Louis Missouri_M rz 1856_S89
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Answers to those in the January number etc. 89

into consideration. However, success could of course not be forced at a single conference, unless God grants special grace; a true union will probably have to be striven for and worked at longer — how long did it take before the Formula of Concord came into being. The main thing is that we have such a means by which all orthodox Lutherans are enabled to speak their minds to one another; then, when the spirits clash with one another and the truth is testified to, all those who are of the truth will surely, with God's help, come to recognize one another as brothers, little by little. As for the form of the assembly, I imagine it would organize itself in the usual manner and elect a moderator or president, vice-president, and secretary, and would also have its proceedings published. Only one difficulty would be caused by the different languages, if such guests were present as understand no German, so that in this case an able interpreter would have to be placed at the side of the president, should he not be master of the English language.

By this I would at least like to indicate that your proposal has also found a lively echo in my own heart. May God fill the souls of many with the breath of His Holy Spirit and lead His work to the desired goal.“

4. A German-Lutheran servant of the Word in Indiana likewise writes to us under the 5th of February: „— — I want nothing more than to fall on your neck in friendly, brotherly fashion, and to kiss you for great joy, for the sake of the precious closing thought in your preface to the 1856 volume of „Lehre und Wehre,“ which God has put into you. That is truly „ecumenical,“ it has flavor and substance. Yes, let us work while it is day, before the night comes when no one can work. Let us work in the manner you have proposed, since discussions in periodicals are indeed more likely to hinder than to further the longed-for union of our Church. Let us also, in this way — which, precisely here, where we may through God's help be kept safe by the inescapable, practical questions of church life from endless and aimless theorizing, can become truly fruitful — work unto death „for the faithful preservation of the precious jewel of purity and unity of doctrine,“ even if this often happens through honest struggle within our own Church. To be sure, we may not harbor too great expectations, for these are the last, troubled times, and faith is, after all, not everyone's affair. But success, in all things, let alone in churchly undertakings, rests with God alone. May He further and crown the work for Christ's sake; let us fervently entreat Him for this.“

5. A German-Lutheran preacher outside our synod, in one of the Middle states, writes to us under the 15th of February: „I take the liberty of hereby expressing my joy over your proposal in the fore-