# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1878_S50
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

— 50 —

...pastors and congregations in the State of Iowa, who until now belonged to the Western District. Since here too the circumstances plainly favored the petition:

Resolved, that the pastors and congregations in the State of Iowa be permitted to form a synodical district of their own under the name: "Iowa District of the German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States."

Incorporation of the Synod.

Since, in the opinion of a qualified attorney, the incorporation of the synod as a single overall body [*Geſammtſynode*], as well as the incorporation of the supervisory bodies [*Aufſichtsbehörden*] in one uniform form, has been pronounced incompatible with the laws both of the Union and of the individual states:

Resolved, that the arrangement already existing within the synod, according to which the supervisory bodies are obligated to have the synod's institutions located in their respective states incorporated in the name and on behalf of the General Synod of Missouri, etc., be provisionally retained.

General Presidium.

Since, in discussing this matter, reference necessarily had to be made to the previous General President, Prof. Dr. Walther, he, before deliberation of this subject began, laid down the chair with the declaration that he could no longer administer both synodical offices, and that one of them would have to be taken from him — whereupon Pastor Schwan, president of the Middle District, took the chair in accordance with a resolution of the synod.

After the reading of a petition from the Northwestern District, to the effect that Prof. Dr. Walther could no longer be expected to bear the burden of two such weighty offices — namely that of his theological professorship and that of General President — any longer; and that, since the office of his theological professorship was by far the more important and could therefore not be taken from him, he must be released from the General Presidium; Prof. Dr. Walther himself having, moreover, urgently requested to be relieved of one of the offices — the debate now began. After it had been carried on at length and with great earnestness, the preliminary question was put, whether the synod was ready to vote. The majority indeed answered yes, but the minority — and a very considerable one — demanded a continuation of the discussion, which was also granted. After a further lapse of time, the majority again pressed for a vote. A...