# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1852_S213
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

— 213 —

...well suited to leading the office, but not equally well equipped for
defending it, etc. — Against this it was said that precisely what had
just been cited seemed to speak in favor of the intended division of the
Synod, since it is precisely the younger, less well-off preachers who,
through the often very great distance of the present general synodical
conventions, lose the benefit* that would be made easier for them by
closer district synodical conventions — likewise, that the large numbers
at our present synodical conventions hold back many younger brethren from
speaking freely and openly and from taking a more active and lively part
in the proceedings. Against the fear that dividing the body into two or
more district synods might all too easily give rise to and bring forward
different tendencies, thereby endangering and disturbing unity of spirit
— it was noted that this connection and unity of the whole body would be
preserved and furthered not only by the sending of delegates from one
district synod to the convention of another, but also by a general
*Präses* who would visit the whole Synod, and finally by the general
synodical convention itself. To the repeated concern as to where one
might find a man with the time and strength to take on and carry out the
office of such a general visitor, it was answered that one should not and
must not doubt this once one had become convinced that such a man was
needed. — Objections were also raised against a general visiting *Präses*.
It seemed, so the argument went, as though one wished to preserve unity
of spirit by such a human means, whereas one ought rather to leave it in
faith to the Head of the Church, that HE would bring this about through
His Word and His Spirit. The outward unity and oneness of the Synod, it
was said, finds sufficient expression in the periodic coming together of
the district synods into a general synod, and, in connection with this,
the necessary cultivation is also provided by the district synods'
mutual sending of delegates to one another's conventions, as well as
through the other dealings of synod members with one another. And as for
the visitations, these could be carried out by the presidents of the
district synods, over smaller and closer districts, much more easily and
better than by a general visitor specially appointed for that purpose. On
the other hand it was remarked from another side that one ought indeed to
be diligent in preserving unity of spirit, and that such diligence
includes the use of suitable human means, even if these could not be
regarded as absolutely necessary; further, that such a general *Präses*,
or respectively visitor, would be the most fitting, indeed the necessary,
expression of the Synod's outward unity, which would otherwise stand as a
three-headed body without a unifying head; that it lies in the nature of
the matter and in the old practice of our Church for the associated
regional churches and ecclesiastical authorities to culminate in a
*Präses*, who among us, to be sure, should have no authority other than
that of the Word, and should be only *primus inter pares* [first among
equals]. In the end it turned out that the opinion and view of all united
on this point: that in a division of the Synod into district synods,
which were nevertheless to form only a single general synod, a general
*Präses* of the same would also be necessary. Yet it was not overlooked
what difficulties it would present, through the...

*) This, the opposing side observed, could be relieved somewhat by a
general synodical travel fund, and thus be made possible for those of
modest means, to...