# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1857_S322
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

— 322 —

...of an earlier time. Through a new edition of the old Saxon agenda,
with the necessary additions taken from other orthodox agendas and prayer
collections, at least the opportunity would be given to make a start
toward the desirable uniformity in the conduct of public worship. To be
sure, the unevenness found in the old fatherland, and the tenacity —
peculiar to the German character — with which what is customary is often
clung to out of sheer stubbornness, will still throw obstacles in the way,
so as to keep our patience in exercise on this point as well. That would
be an inconvenience, but still a bearable one. I must, however, call the
Reverend Synod's attention to two further matters in our congregational
life which must fill us with deep sorrow and apprehension for the future.
The first is the lack of participation, on the part of members, in the
affairs of their individual congregations as well as in the general
affairs of the church, and the covetousness so often bound up with it,
which still keeps so many a congregation from engaging in the works of
love that the founding, maintaining, and completing of our church
institutions require, and which for the true Christian is a delight and
no burden. One would think that people who have, by God's grace, been
pulled out of such an oppressive condition as our congregation members
have, almost without exception, experienced generally in the old
fatherland, would now take up their particular as well as their general
churchly affairs with the liveliest interest — especially since, on the
part of the individual preachers as well as of the Synod as a whole, it is
diligently worked toward that the congregations should come to an
awareness, an appreciation, and an exercise of their holy rights, which
the Lord has purchased for them with his blood. Our aim is indeed directed
toward forming congregations sound in faith, mature in the demonstration
of church life, lively and active in everything that concerns the kingdom
of God. But, God have mercy, how much is still to be wished for and
lamented here! How many congregations content themselves with merely
having the holy preaching office established in their midst, after which
everything goes on its churchly way, fairly undisturbed, according to
customary routine. Even congregational meetings are, for many of them, a
burden, and I have had to hear many complaints about poor attendance at
these. Of a lively, active, vigorous participation in the common affairs
of the Synod, or of the church at large, there is little or nothing to be
thought of there.

So indeed it ought not to be, dear brothers, and so indeed it cannot
be — at least it cannot remain so — where faith has taken hold with its
living fire of love. Are not we preachers too much to blame for this? One
of our fellow ministers writes, at least: "During the winter season I went
weekly, in informal gatherings, through the synodical reports of the
other districts as well, in such a way that I added closer verbal
explanations of the individual items and invited questions, which then
also happened on several occasions; and those who came regularly
testified that they had derived much benefit from it and had grown
substantially in understanding. In particular, concerning private
confession and absolution, various doubts arose among them and were
resolved, and its evangelical, comforting character came to clear
recognition — indeed, through these discussions generally, interest in the
works of faith and the labor of love was noticeably furthered within our
Synod." A similar attempt would surely be crowned with the same success
elsewhere as well.