# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1884_S29
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Fourth Delegate Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States. 1884.   29

3. Confirmation of the admission of the Reverend Concordia Synod
into the Synodical Conference.

4. The admission of such members as shall be proposed for it by
the district presidents.

5. The usual elections, together with the determination of the place
and time for the next synod.

As for, finally, the conduct of the General Presidency, I have,
in accordance with the Synod's resolution, laid down my pastoral office
as soon as was practicable, taking on instead that of assistant preacher
at the three eastern parishes of Cleveland, and spent the rest of the year
1881 visiting all the educational institutions, the publishing house, the
New York emigrant mission, and the pastoral conferences in New York,
Pittsburgh, Chicago, and St. Louis. In 1882 I took part in all the district
synods with the exception of three. I was kept from attending that of
the Southern District by a telegram received en route that called me
home on account of a serious illness. (In its place I visited, soon
afterward, as had been requested, all the stations of the Black mission
[*Negermission*] in the South.) I was unable, however, to attend the
Iowa and Michigan District Synods, because the former coincided
entirely with that of Illinois, and the latter partly with those of
Minnesota and Nebraska. I was, besides, present at the Synodical
Conference in Chicago and visited the orphanages near St. Louis, at
Addison and Wartburg, the institute for the deaf and mute near Detroit,
the New York emigrant mission, and several pastoral conferences. In
1883 I was able to be present at all the district synods without
exception, as well as at the dedication of the new seminary and the
pastoral conferences in Fort Wayne, Chicago, and St. Louis; I spent a
longer time at the institutions in Fort Wayne and Addison, and had to
deal with the appeal in Indianapolis. In the present year I have
inspected the seminaries at St. Louis and Springfield and the
pro-gymnasium in Milwaukee, took part, on request, in an investigation
in Canada, and was present at a few pastoral conferences.

On all these official visits I have everywhere been met with trust,
people have taken pains to make it easier for me to gain insight into the
state of affairs, and whatever I had to recommend has everywhere been
received in the best way. It can therefore only have been due to the
person if the office has not brought the benefit it should have.

The by no means insignificant correspondence with brothers from
all the districts, too, has for me had only this unsatisfying aspect: that I
often knew even less counsel to give than my correspondents did; that I
could never procure as many preachers and teachers as were wanted;
and that I sometimes had to speak out against the plundering of new
and weak districts.