# Lehre und Wehre_St. Louis Missouri_M rz 1856_S90
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

90 Answers to those in the January number etc.

word of „Lehre und Wehre.“ I hope in God that it will find general approval, especially among those who recognize and mourn the affliction of Joseph, and who wish from the heart that Zion may be built up. And the number of such people is surely not so small. Could a general free conference of all the scattered confessionally-faithful Lutherans in America now be called together in the course of this year, through God's grace and help, then, God willing, great benefit and blessing would come from it to our dear evangelical Lutheran Church in this western land; it would flourish and break forth gloriously to the praise of God. The place should be chosen as much as possible at the center of the Church; Ohio would probably be the center, and Columbus or Cincinnati would surely welcome such an assembly. The LORD of His Church will already show a way and a place, and may only all faithful servants of the Church understand and take to heart the hint given through you, and let themselves be led and bent by the Holy Spirit, so that the bond of peace may become ever firmer and unity of spirit among all faithful confessors and witnesses of the truth ever stronger. May God grant this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.“

6. In the „Ev. Lutheran“ of Springfield, Ohio, of the 15th of February, we find the following: „Proposal for a free conference. In the January number of „Lehre und Wehre,“ the theological organ of the Old Lutherans of Missouri, the editor calls attention to the propriety of a general free conference of all Lutheran preachers“ (this should read: and laity) „in America who profess adherence to the unaltered Augsburg Confession, for the purpose of a friendly and brotherly exchange of their views on matters concerning the interests of the Church. — The example of the churches in Germany is cited, where it has been the custom to hold church conventions and free conferences for the promotion of unity and harmony in opinions and in action. These gatherings in the Old World have been held with benefit and gratifying results, and the editor of „Lehre und Wehre“ expresses the conviction that such a general convention of Lutheran preachers in this country would contribute its share toward promoting concord in doctrine and practice and toward healing divisions and differences. This proposal, coming from such a source, is certainly a significant fact, and shows a relaxing of the unbrotherly and harsh exclusiveness that formerly so strongly characterized our „hard-shelled“ brethren of Missouri. We do not doubt that the proposed conference will take place in due time.“ — Better preliminaries for peace were, to be sure, not to be expected from an organ of the General Synod. —