# Lehre und Wehre_St. Louis Missouri_Mai 1856_S151
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

A General Conference of the Lutheran Ministers in America. 151

—the domestic and foreign mission? what should be done toward the general introduction of parochial schools, and how could we train competent schoolteachers? how might church care of the poor and the sick be more generally introduced? would it not be beneficial to form, from various synods, an impartial ecclesiastical tribunal, to which all disputed cases between different synods, or between ministers and congregations of different synods, might be submitted for examination and decision? — These questions touch upon points that reach deep into the life of our Church and are without doubt of more or less importance for the whole Lutheran Church of our land. Were such an intended general conference now to occupy itself with the settlement of these and similar questions, what a wide field it would then have! and how much it could accomplish for the good of our Church!

As regards its form, it would probably be best if this were publicly announced in a call by some prominent and generally esteemed men, members of various synods, who might agree upon it among themselves, or if it were left entirely to the first assembly to shape its own form and to establish rules for later assemblies. As for the time, winter would probably be best, since in summer nearly all the synods hold their own sessions, and also because sickness is generally more prevalent than in winter. As the place for the first meeting of the conference, Pittsburgh would probably be one of the most suitable locations, since this city forms, so to speak, a gateway between East and West, and several Lutheran congregations are also to be found there, who would surely receive the conference with joy. — The good people of Pittsburgh will forgive me my unauthorized invitation of such a guest under their roof. For who would not gladly harbor such a guest! —

As for, finally, the convening of the conference, as well as the determination of the place, the time, and whatever other necessary arrangements are required, it would seem very expedient if, for instance, the presidents of the various synods and other influential theologians were to come to an agreement on the matter and then let a call go forth through all the Lutheran periodicals of this land.

In the hope that the subject discussed here will meet with general approval, and that several voices on it will soon be heard, and that these thoughts of mine expressed here will not be taken as foolishly presumptuous, I subscribe myself

A Member of the Ohio Synod.

Fort Wayne, February 21, 1856.