# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1853_S242
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

— 242 —

— of the unity of the Spirit, so long as the Synod as a whole would still
let itself be governed by God's Word and Spirit (and may the Lord in his
grace prevent the opposite), while at the same time guarding, as far as
possible, against the danger that such an office might bring. We would
then, on the whole, remain true to our intention of making no essential
changes. At bottom, everything would remain as before, apart from the
few changes that, with the Synod's growth, were absolutely necessary to
ease and advance a course of business that had become too unwieldy.

But I fear I may go too far and encroach upon the deliberations of the
venerable Synod itself — perhaps I have already done so. I therefore
break off, and allow myself only to recall once more that our Synod has
arrived at the point of an important crisis, and that its future will
depend in many ways on our resolutions this time. God help us, that
each of us, in our deliberations, keep the goal in view — namely, the unity
of the Spirit — and that our resolutions be made under the lasting sense
of the great responsibility resting upon us. I close with Luther's heartfelt
wish: "God, the Father of all mercy, give us through Jesus Christ, his
dear Son, the spirit of unity and strength to do his will. For even
though we are in perfect harmony down to the finest point, we still have
our hands full doing good and standing fast in divine strength; what
then would become of us, if we wanted to be at odds and unlike one
another? The devil has not become pious or good, nor will he ever;
therefore let us watch and be diligent to keep the spiritual unity, as Paul
teaches, in the bond of love and peace. Amen."

This was followed by the reading of the following

Annual Report.

I hereby dutifully render to the Reverend Synod the annual report
required by our Constitution.

I. Deaths.

We have, by God's rich grace, been spared this year the painful duty
of reporting the loss of even one of our dear brothers. To the Lord, who
deals so well with us, be praise and honor.

II. Ordinations.

The following ministers, having been examined and found fit for the
preaching office, and having received a regular call from congregations,
were ordained and thereby bound to all the symbolical books of our
Church:

1. Mr. W. Aug. Fick, called by the Evangelical Lutheran congregation
in Holt County, near St. Joseph, Mo., ordained at Immanuel Church in
St. Louis by the president, assisted by Prof. Walther and Pastor H.
Fick, on October 24 of last year.

2. Mr. H. Mattfeldt, called by the Evangelical Lutheran congregation
at Pekin, Ill., ordained by the president of the Synod, assisted by Pastor
Fick, at the Evangelical Lutheran Trinity Church in St. Louis, on
December 20 of last year.