# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1878_S56
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

— p. 56 —

From August 16, 1874 to April 1, 1878, the totals were:
expenditures . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1572.20
income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1255.93

deficit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 316.36

Resolved, that our dear synodical congregations be urgently requested
to take up a special collection for the purpose of paying off the debt of
the Baltimore emigrant mission.

Resolved, that the district treasurers be instructed to forward one
fourth of all monies received for the emigrant mission without a more
specific designation of place to the emigrant mission in Baltimore.

Resolved, that the Emigrant Commission at Baltimore be given full
authority to discontinue the Baltimore emigrant mission at any time, should
it, without producing particular benefit, cause expenses that the income
does not match.

Fund for the Support of Pastors' and Teachers' Widows and Orphans.

The synod of the Northern District had, by a petition to the
Delegatensynode [Delegate Synod], moved that the support of the widows and
orphans of our deceased pastors and teachers become the business of the
General Synod, in accordance with a resolution passed by the said synod
(23rd report of the Northern District, p. 57). Up to now, the support of
these widows and orphans has in fact lain in the hands of a society within
the synodical body, whose members, out of love for the cause, have bound
themselves — through a fixed annual contribution as well as by accepting
gifts of charity — to support pastors' and teachers' widows and orphans;
and, be it noted well, not only the widows and orphans of those who had
previously contributed to this fund, but all who are in need of such
support. This society currently supports 32 pastors' and teachers'
widows, together with their orphans, 65 in number, at an annual cost of
$4000.00.

Since the Synod, no less than a congregation, has no right to bind
one of its members to a particular work of charity under a prescribed
order, but it must be left to every Christian how he wishes to exercise
the love shown to him, and since the Synod's taking over this support
might now hinder the cause more than help it:

Resolved, that the support fund for pastors' and teachers' widows and
orphans remain further in the hands of that society, which has bound
itself to carry on this work of charity.

Resolved, that Pastor Sievers be charged with making this matter of
support known to our...