# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1857_S323
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Although I do not recall having heard a complaint from any of my
beloved fellow ministers, I have nevertheless found, upon incidental
inquiry, that individual congregations — and not exactly poor ones (for it
is well enough known how gladly our preachers bear want together with
their congregations) — actually provide for their preachers, in a
disgraceful way, what is needed for the necessities of body and life, so
that, if one did not know God's fatherly and daily providence, which can
bless even the little that is given, and does bless it, so that it
suffices — one could not understand how the preachers manage to sustain
their lives on what they receive from their congregations. That in such
congregations, then, on other occasions too, where it is a matter of works
of love for building up the kingdom of God — such as our institutions,
missions, etc. — little or nothing is done, or where something is done it
comes out so very sparingly and grudgingly, is not to be wondered at.
Though one must indeed wonder that congregations can be so overwhelmed
with bodily and spiritual blessing without their hearts melting, and
without their overcoming their earthly-mindedness and idolatrous,
shameful covetousness enough to let love pour out freely. May the Lord
improve this, and give power to his word, that hearts may be rightly
broken by the hammer of the Law, but richly comforted, healed, and
sanctified by the balm of the Gospel, so that faith may also break forth
in flaming love! Otherwise — which God in his grace may prevent — we run
the danger that, for all our boast of pure doctrine, nothing comes of it
but a dead, confessionalistic character, and a wretched emptiness and husk
of godliness, with no power or life showing itself. Yet we do have the
promise that his word shall not return empty, but shall accomplish that
for which he sent it. And we can indeed also give God the praise that our
synodical circle does not lack congregations that show, in these respects
too, that they have not received the grace of God in vain — sound in
faith, godly in life, active in love, as the abundant gifts of love
indeed prove, by which they engage in the work of love set as our Synod's
task. Where the light shines brightest, there naturally the shadow side
also stands out most strongly, and unfortunately we Christian people look
more at what we lack than rejoice in what God's almighty love has worked,
and still wills to work, through his word, if only we are willing to take
from his fullness — grace upon grace, power upon power, life upon life.

That diligence and faithfulness are at work in our schools of learning
is known to everyone. It would only be desirable that the teaching staff
be increased, so that the workers' strength is not called upon far beyond
what is fair — indeed, in the long run, beyond what is possible. The St.
Louis institution has, by God's grace, at least seen some increase in its
teaching staff. The board of trustees has accepted, with heartfelt joy and
thanks, the kind offer of the honored Professor Seyffarth to help teach at
our seminary. Since the Reverend Rector Gönner was called upon by the
Bible Society to see to the proofreading for the printing of the New
Testament with Vierling's prefaces and Dietrich's summaries, Mr. Saxer,
from Hanover, was asked to take the Reverend Rector's place in teaching in
the meantime, which he, out of heartfelt love for the Lord and his church,
also agreed to do. We have recognized, however, that the institution is
entirely in need of his help for its continuance, and the