# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1849_S100
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

— 100 —

the Synod's gifts of the Spirit are not so distributed geographically that,
upon the establishment of branch synods, they would still prove equally
useful for the common good. On the other hand, the rich blessing our
gatherings have had thus far, even if some members can only attend them
sparsely, is nonetheless carried in every direction to the congregations
and to the dear fellow ministers who could not take part. Indeed, through
the printing of our Synod proceedings it is spread even to the farthest
distance.

The Synod therefore recognizes it as its sacred duty to subordinate
regard for the difficulties that face individual members because of the
great distances — difficulties which, given the peculiar local
circumstances, could in any case be removed only to a small extent even
by establishing branch synods — to the manifestly better attainment of
its most important purposes. In doing so it feels compelled earnestly to
admonish all its members, and each one in particular, that everyone,
so far as lies within their power, should contribute to the attainment
of its common purposes, and should fight and strive to overcome the
obstacles that arise through fervent prayer and with a joyful courage of
faith.

But may the Lord, who has called us all through the one baptism to one
faith in the one Spirit, keep us all united in the pure confession of the
one truth until the end.

Individual resolutions.

Besides the resolutions already communicated above, each in its proper
section, there are a few others not directly connected with the subjects
treated there, among which the following are hereby brought to general
notice:

1. On the Präses's motion, the Synod resolved to send a delegate from
its own number to the next convention of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod
of Tennessee, and appointed Vice-Präses Dr. W. Sihler for this purpose.

2. At the wish of several Synod members, the Synod resolved to call
upon Dr. W. Sihler to complete and publish, as soon as possible, the
work he had earlier announced: *Why Are You a Lutheran?*

3. To support the church's institutions, the Synod resolved that all
ministers standing within its Synod fellowship should, for every failure
to attend the annual Synod convention, pay five dollars into the
seminary funds, unless the absent minister is unable to raise even this
sum.

4. On the Präses's motion, the Synod further adopted the following
resolution:

"The Synod resolves that it shall not be permitted to ministers of its
fellowship to let others preach in their congregations in their place who
have not specifically prepared, or are not preparing, themselves for the
holy preaching office, before the sermon to be submitted to the pastor
has been found orthodox.

Worship during the Synod convention.

As already mentioned at the beginning of this report, public worship
services were also held during this year's Synod session, on the evenings
of several weekdays and on both Sundays, in which not only the members
of the local congregation took part, but also many visitors from
elsewhere, in large numbers.