# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1860_S59
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

— Page 59 —

Union of Our Educational Institutions.

Since, already years ago, a union of our educational institutions —
at least of the two theological seminaries — had been recognized by
many among us as desirable and beneficial, and since suggestions to
consider and discuss such a union had repeatedly been made, both
publicly and privately, the Synod's General Präses [president], even
before this year's sessions began, appointed a committee to
deliberate on this matter and to submit a proposal on it to the
Synod. Such a proposal was indeed submitted and was thoroughly and
extensively discussed in several sessions, and the Synod could not
help but finally agree to it unanimously. So that our congregations
may gain a truly clear insight into this important matter and be
encouraged to take a lively and active part in carrying it out, Dr.
Sihler was charged with working up the extensive synodical acts on
the subject into a memorial, to be circulated among the congregations
as soon as possible. In the convention report, by contrast, only the
reasons for the union, together with a very brief extract from the
deliberations concerning it, are to be published, and readers are
referred to the memorial for a more thorough account of the matter.

In the proposal, seven reasons for the union were given, which
follow here.

1. The union of our two theological seminaries would, through
the greater number of theological instructors working
together in one place, advance the recognition of pure
doctrine and offer a greater safeguard against the rise of
false doctrinal tendencies.

2. The union is also desirable because the various gifts of the
instructors could then be applied more effectively for the
students. By limiting themselves to the subjects
particularly suited to their gifts, the instructors would be
enabled to attain a much higher degree of teaching
proficiency. It would be prevented that they, having to
teach everything, scatter their strength and, despite all
their effort and time, are unable to accomplish anything of
real benefit in any single subject. More adequate results
with respect to the students would consequently also be
achieved.

These two reasons were, after some debate, acknowledged as clear and
solidly grounded.

3. A further reason for the union is that, when new seminary
instructors are appointed, it is not only of great
importance but of the most decided necessity that they find
colleagues already in place who can introduce them to the
conduct of their office, so that with every change of
instructor a change of teaching method, or even of the
whole direction of the seminary, need not be feared.