# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1884_S19
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Fourth Delegate Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States. 1884.   19

and at a time when it seemed as though we were coming to an end, our
institutions filled to overflowing. That hardly looks as though the zeal of
our congregations for God's kingdom has died out altogether, or their good
confidence in our Synod has vanished. But let us also show that we know
how to value this proof of our God's faithfulness! Let us do what is now
needed to bring in this rich harvest! And let us not let our zeal grow cold!
It is not so much money that we need; it is people. Money has always
been found. Whoever is ready to sacrifice a little now and then out of his
surplus gold and silver, but considers his son far too good to be given up
for a poor preaching or teaching office, offers a sacrifice that is no sweet
savor before God.

Turning, after mention of these particular events, to the matters we
must discuss at every session of the General Synod: as regards first our
relations with bodies outside our own, it is well enough known that,
by God's grace, the blessed bond of the Synodical Conference has by no
means fallen to pieces. It is true that one synod has, in a regrettable way,
torn itself loose from it, and that another, with which we had always
stood in a particularly cordial relationship, has, to our sorrow, thought it
advisable to withdraw — though in a peaceful and friendly manner. But in
its place a new synod has stepped forward, formed from the members of
the former body who remained faithful, and its admission into the
Synodical Conference will, without doubt, meet with this assembly's
joyful approval. Meanwhile the brotherly relationship with the remaining
members of the Synodical Conference has, through common struggle and
suffering, God willing, only grown closer and firmer.

With our brothers in Germany and Australia, too, we stand in the
same good relationship as before. With the former there is uninterrupted
correspondence, while from the latter, since the arrival of their kind
letter of thanks for the sending of one of our candidates, no further
communications have reached me, at least. Our correspondent for foreign
affairs will probably be able to give fuller information.

As for our own internal affairs, it will certainly be, especially this
time, above all our educational institutions whose needs must be
considered. The reports of the four supervisory boards will testify to
the Synod that everywhere the teachers are working faithfully and with
blessing, and that the prevailing spirit of our students is a Christian one.
But there are also not insignificant appropriations that two of these
institutions have to request.

As for the seminary in St. Louis, the report of the building
committee and of the supervisory board will show whether and how far the

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