# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1860_S25
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

— Page 25 —

[increase] of students, so that the available space nowhere suffices any
longer. That the teachers' zeal has not diminished as a result, but
rather increased, goes without saying. We are entitled to the most
joyful hopes. May the gracious and merciful God and Lord bring us
all to a clear awareness of what overflowing grace He grants us
through the blessing He lays upon our institutions, what a joyful
prospect for the future of the Church the Lord thereby opens to us,
so that through our lukewarmness and ingratitude this blessing is not
spoiled for us, or even withdrawn again. Our institutions should be
the true favored children of our congregations, their pride and their
honor. And thank God, many — very many congregations recognize this
treasure, as their generous love-offerings, which they often let flow
to the maintenance funds beyond their means, and the other support
they show, prove. On the other hand it cannot be denied that other
congregations have sunk into shameful stinginess, and here, as on
other occasions, prove that they trade their birthright for a mess of
pottage [an allusion to Esau selling his birthright for lentil stew,
Genesis 25].

Through the blessed passing of our dear Professor Biewend, the chair
of philosophy and the directorship of the Gymnasium became vacant.
Professor Lange has been called to the professorship, Subrector Sarer
to the directorship. Both require the Synod's confirmation, which
will surely be given them with joy.

Sadly we have had to do without the help of our dear Professor
Seyffahrt this past year. In order to complete some scholarly work,
he requested a two-year leave of absence. Difficult as this was for
the supervisory board, it nevertheless believed it had to grant
Professor Seyffahrt this leave. In any case the Reverend Synod must
this time give thought to increasing the teaching staff at our
institutions. Things cannot possibly go on like this. The teachers
are being sacrificed, the institutions' flourishing hindered. Already
the institution at St. Louis has been forced to call Mr. Kleppisch,
who was about to move from the Gymnasium to the Seminary, as an
assistant for the lower classes of the Gymnasium instead, and asks
the Reverend Synod to approve this call.

Regarding everything else that should be reported to the Synod, the
relevant committees will take the liberty of presenting their
submissions. That our dear brother, Pastor Keyl, is willing to
publish the third part of his invaluable work on the catechism has
been made known to the brethren in "Der Lutheraner." May the Synod
find a means of giving this excellent work wide circulation. The
first part of the "Altenburg Bible" is also ready for distribution.
May the Lord place His blessing on both works, that they may become,
in very many households of our Church, the rich bread-cupboard from
which daily nourishment is taken.

Finally I call upon the Reverend Synod to give heartfelt thanks to
the Lord for granting us the privilege of founding a society devoted
to spreading Luther's writings among the people. The Lord has already
brought thousands to this society. May He grant that many more
thousands join it. Indeed, may He grant that the voice of His
faithful servant