# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1847_S18
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

— 18 —

VII. Proceedings of Tuesday, May 4.

The committee charged with drafting instructions for the visitor now
laid its draft before the synod, which was adopted after some
improvements and additions and is appended at the end of this section.

After that, the committee charged with drafting instructions for the
mission commission likewise submitted its draft, which was adopted
after a few minor improvements and is likewise appended at the end of
this section.

On this occasion the synod resolved that this commission should, in the
synod's name, ask Pastor Löhe for an official report as to whether the
mission society concerned in Germany had resolved to place the
Lutheran mission to the heathen in Michigan under this synod's
oversight.

To the question put to this synod's ministers, whether their
congregations, in accordance with their confession, unconditionally
submitted to the Word of God under Chapter V, Section 12, and also
fulfilled the conditions given under sub b and c, an affirmative answer
was given.

The further question, whether ceremonies were in use in their
congregations by which the confession of the truth was weakened, was
answered in the negative. Similar questions were asked regarding private
confession, the announcement for confession [*Beichtanmeldung*], and
the use of orthodox liturgical books [*Agenden*]. The ministers of the
synod were also urged to establish schools in their congregations and, if
necessary, to teach them themselves. On this occasion the duty was
acknowledged of giving thought to publishing a book of hymns/verses
[*Spruchbuch*] and a German reader.

At this evening's worship service the secretary preached on Galatians
4:26.

Instructions for a Visitor Recommended by the Synod.

§ 1. He is first to seek out the German settlements and there locate the
Lutherans; also, when passing through English-speaking settlements, to
inquire after individual German families and visit them.

§ 2. It is his duty to seek out Lutheran households and there make
inquiry:

a, whether the families immigrated to the West from Germany or from
the eastern United States, and how long they have already been here;

b, whether the father and mother of the household are indeed both
Lutheran;

c, how many children and other household members there are; whether
all are baptized, and how many, if any, are confirmed;

d, whether they have sometimes been visited, or are still visited, by
itinerant sectarian preachers, and in what manner, if visited, the
latter operate on them;

e, whether English or German fanatic and factional spirits [*Schwarm-
und Rottengeiſter*] have regular preaching places in their neighborhood,
and whether the Lutheran settlers attend them;

f, whether, and how many, Catholics, Reformed, United [Church]
members, etc. live in the settlement, and whether these are served in
any way by ministers of their own confession;