# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1854_S287
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

— Page 287 —

Deliberation on this important matter was now taken up again in
earnest. Professor Biewend was asked to speak on the institution's
current state and needs, which prompted remarks from several sides.
From these communications and remarks it emerged clearly how
desirable it would be to be able to appoint another teacher both at
the seminary and at the gymnasium, and thus to call two professors to
the institution. However, the treasurer, Mr. Barthel, raised serious
concerns about the cost, since, given the present state of the
synodical treasury and the necessary increase in the salaries of the
teachers already employed at our institutions, the means would not
suffice for the decent salaries of two new professors; on this
occasion he also criticized the meager contributions of the
congregations to the synodical treasury.

After Mr. Barthel, at the Synod's request, had presented an overview
of the treasury's balance and an estimate of expenses for the St.
Louis institution, so as to gauge by it the increase in salary for
those already employed and the calling of new teachers, Professor
Walther was asked to give his opinion on this matter of calling
[professors], which — supported and confirmed by Professor Biewend
and Rector Gönner — concluded that for the time being no second
professor of theology be called, but that the position be left open
until a competent professional theologian could be called; that,
instead, a professor be called to the gymnasium, who would in the
meantime also help fill the gaps at the seminary. This opinion was
adopted by the Synod, and it was resolved that the election college
be charged with proceeding to elect such a professor for the college.

On this occasion a proposal for the internal organization of the
whole institution was also made, and, after due examination and
deliberation, adopted by the Synod. Under it, Professor Walther was
appointed president of the whole institution — both the seminary and
the gymnasium — and the newly elected gymnasium teacher was appointed
director of the gymnasium. It was further determined that the class
schedule and house rules be drawn up by the full faculty, but that
executive authority be placed in the hands of the president, and,
under his general oversight, in the hands of the director. The Synod
resolved that the seminary constitution be amended accordingly, and
that instructions be drawn up for both the president and the director
of the institution.

Instructions for the President of Concordia College and for
the Director of the Gymnasium in St. Louis, Mo.,

extracted from the minutes of the 21st session of the German Evangelical Lutheran
Synod of Missouri, Ohio, etc., at its 8th annual convention at St. Louis,
Mo., A.D. 1854.

"Concordia College in St. Louis, Mo., shall for this purpose have a
president at its head, so that the general Synod, its Präses, and the
relevant supervisory body have a man of whom they can inquire about
the state of the whole institution in every respect.

§ 1. The president has general oversight of the whole institution.

§ 2. It is his duty to attend the class sessions of all teachers in
the gymnasium and to see to it that the annual [curriculum] prescribed
under the division of the subject matter into a six-year course