# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1850_S149
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

— 149 —

and commit themselves to it, so as to support with it
thoroughly educated, purely orthodox preachers of poor congregations,
or missionaries.

In order to begin and carry through this undertaking with certainty,
however, the cooperation of as many congregations as possible must be
arranged. This can be done according to the following plan:

Let each congregation appoint from its midst two responsible
business agents, who shall order the desired books from me and, if
the amount is over twenty dollars, give in payment a note payable after
three or four months, or, if under twenty dollars, cash, less a
discount.

I would endeavor to procure the books as cheaply as possible, and
let the congregations have them at the local wholesale price (en gros),
even in small quantities, so that the congregations would still make a
profit when retailing them. Should the congregations also wish to sell
some, through colporteurs, to those who do not belong to us, so much the
better.

At the end of each year I would render a brief account to show the
surplus." —

Thanks have been given to Mr. Bergmann for his kind offer, and the
members of the Synod are encouraged to send Mr. Bergmann a list of the
books they desire, so that he can inform them of the prices and
thereafter receive and fill orders. — Mr. Bergmann wishes all letters on
spiritual matters addressed, postage paid, to Pastor Brohm — but all
letters on business matters, postage paid, to himself.

As for the publishing fund, the Synod wishes to accept a loan from
anyone (thus also from those who are not shareholders!) willing to lend it
money for this purpose, and to repay it, as desired, either in cash or in
books.

Individual Resolutions.

1. A proposal "that congregations which send no delegate, or
pastors and schoolteachers who cannot attend the synodical sessions,
should in future keep their letters of excuse (naturally stating the
reasons for their being prevented) as brief as possible" was adopted.

2. A letter from Mr. Sommer, a mission student, from Frankenlust,
Michigan, was read, in which he asked for a preacher for the
Lutherans in Grand Rapids. — Resolved, that he be written that the
Synod cannot at present send those Lutherans a preacher, but will see to
it that an orthodox preacher investigate their situation and thereafter
provide them with the means of grace from time to time.

3. The congregation of Pastor Clöter at Saginaw City,
Michigan, asked the Synod for support. The Synod declared that, as a
Synod, it could not agree to this now, since it had already taken on too
many obligations elsewhere. Yet this appeal for help should be well
taken to heart by all congregations, since Saginaw City is very important
with regard to immigration and for the mission.

4. In passing, the "Small Catechism of the blessed Dr. Martin Luther,
together with the usual" published by Mr. Ludwig in New York was mentioned,