# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1847_S20
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

— 20 —

learn to read and gradually commit to memory the chief parts of the
holy history of our Lord Jesus Christ, as well as Luther's Small
Catechism.

§ 9. For this purpose, and also for instructing adults, he is to carry with
him a number of suitable small tracts, as well as pictures from sacred
history.

§ 10. In keeping his diary he is to see to it that his notes on the number,
location, surroundings, and outward and inward circumstances of the
fellow believers he visits are accurate and specific, and also that he does
not fail to record particular individual experiences relevant to the
purpose of his visit.

§ 11. In his report to the Präses [president] he is to send in, every two
months, the statistical results of his visitation journey in full detail, and
to communicate the most important of his other experiences in
summary.

§ 12. He is to take great care never to intrude into another's office,
even where that office is held by a heretic or a false believer.

§ 13. He is to render an account to the synod of his travel expenses.

Instructions for the Mission Commission of the German Evangelical
Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States.

a, For the Präses:

The Präses of this commission shall be responsible not only for
overseeing the mission stations already existing within the synodical
district and visiting them as much as possible, whether in person or
through a deputy, but also for directing his attention to finding and
establishing new stations, where possible through mission colonies. In
visitation he shall take care that religious instruction is founded on
Luther's Catechism and that the mission work is carried on from a
churchly standpoint. Together with the other members of the
commission he shall seek to obtain capable missionaries from Lutheran
mission institutions, who must be bound to all the symbols [confessional
writings] of our church, pure in doctrine and blameless in life. He shall
make it his concern to bring it about that the synod itself establishes
and maintains institutions for training missionaries to the heathen. He
shall stand by the missionaries with counsel and help, like a father. He
shall weigh the needs of the individual mission stations and make
provision accordingly, in consultation with the other two officers. He
shall have exact reports rendered to him by all missionaries at least
quarterly.

b, For the Secretary:

The secretary shall conduct correspondence with the Lutheran mission
institutions concerned, as well as with friends of the mission abroad
who offer assistance. He shall prepare the annual report to the synod,
for which the Präses must supply him the necessary material. He shall
gather and organize the mission's statistics and see to their publication
in a suitable manner. He shall, where possible, keep a history of the
mission.

c, For the Treasurer:

The treasurer is to receive incoming gifts, disburse funds on the
Präses's instruction, keep exact accounts, and issue receipts,