# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1887_S31
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Fifth Delegate Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States, 1887. 31

Professor Kröning was struck by a serious illness last year shortly
before the summer vacation; by God's help, however, to our joy, he
was able to continue his teaching with his accustomed zeal and without
interruption at the start of the new school year. It is also to be noted
with great thanks to God that Professor Crämer, despite his advanced
years, is still able, in tried and faithful strength, to administer his
weighty office with great blessing. On the other hand, it is with great
regret that we must report to a Reverend Synod that the institution's
longtime pastor [Seelſorger], Pastor F. Lochner, feels compelled, owing
to physical weakness and illness, to lay down his office at the
congregation. With him departs a faithful friend of our prophets'
school [Prophetenſchule], who deserved well of the institution
particularly through his instruction in liturgics, which he gave the
students for years in the most generous manner.

"Turning now to the report on the health of our students, it may be
called favorable. To be sure, individual cases of illness occurred, as
was only to be expected, and we also had to mourn the death of a dear
student from the pro-seminary; but otherwise the institution was
graciously spared epidemics and other serious illnesses affecting
several at once. As for the students further, a generally good
Christian spirit prevails among them. No excesses, and consequently,
thank God, no expulsions from the institution have occurred. The
growth in the number of students over the past triennium was very
substantial, greater than at any time since the institution's founding.
It presently numbers 213 students; of these, 167 attend the seminary
and 46 the pro-seminary; 34 are expected to take the examination. This
is the highest number ever to enter the ministry at once from the
practical seminary. Gratifying as this is, we shall nevertheless again
this time be unable to satisfy all the congregations that urgently
request a preacher be sent to them. How great the shortage of
workers in the field of home missions [innere Miſſion] still is may also
be seen from the fact that this year again we had to send out a whole
company (some 60 students) to help meet the need. And the need
seems to grow ever greater the further our mission fields extend and
the pure Word of God gains ground. Not infrequently circumstances
arise in which speedy help is urgently called for and just as urgently
requested by the Reverend district presidents. This, in turn, again
and again lays upon us the task of earnestly seeking new workers.
Every preacher of our Synod should therefore be intent on recruiting
young people for service in the Word. We will refuse admission to the
institution to no one who is suitable in gift and disposition. For it is
only with such young people that the Church is truly served — those
who not only