# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1884_S30
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

30   Proceedings of the 19th General [Synod], or

However necessary it without doubt was to arrange the General
Presidency so that, wherever needed, it could at any time be present on
the spot and see with its own eyes, one would nevertheless be greatly
mistaken to think that a sufficient overview of the whole has thereby
been achieved, or that it is this overview, of all things, by which the
parts of the whole are held together. That would be an error even
under the best administration. Nevertheless I am convinced that it is
still the most advisable course to let the office itself continue in its
present form, until perhaps the rise of too many districts, or the
occurrence of other circumstances, forces upon us a different
arrangement. For what has held us together up to now was by no
means our constitution, good as it is, nor the personal character of
those who formerly held the Synod's highest offices. No, it was
something quite different, something God himself has given us — to be
sure, through their service. It was unity in spirit and in faith. We held
together outwardly because we were inwardly one. To be sure, this gift
wants to be recognized as a grace; it wants to be guarded. For that
reason districts, congregations, and individuals can never be too careful
to avoid doing anything that might even loosen the fair bond of unity
(and even the best-intentioned undertakings could have this effect, if
they were carried out without mature reflection, without love's regard
for others, and without an eye to the good or ill of the whole). Instead,
however, each of us for himself and all of us together should always
draw, with the utmost earnestness and zeal, from the well from which
spirit and faith alone are to be had. As long as, by God's grace, we
remain of one heart and one soul in right word and faith, so long there
is no danger to the Synod's cohesion and continuance. But should that
ever cease, then no constitution will be able to hold the conflicting parts
together into a whole, and then outward cohesion, too, will no longer
have any value.

Let us, then, give truly sincere thanks to the God of all mercy and
the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for everything he has done for us;
let us beg him earnestly, for his dear Son's sake, not to withdraw his
hand from us; let us take care that we do not ourselves squander his
blessing. Otherwise, however, let us leave it to him alone how he will
lead us onward. He has done great things for us, and his mercy has no
end yet, and his faithfulness is great. To him be glory forever! Amen.