# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1887_S34
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

34 Proceedings of the 20th General or

two-thirds of the appropriated sum had been signed for by the
congregations. Because these signatures were delayed until 16
February 1885, an extra expense of $500.00 for freight/teamster fees
was incurred on account of the roads and the weather. Secondly, the
supervisory board ventured an additional $625.00 for so-called "inside
blinds," which are more durable and practical than window curtains.
And we were encouraged to make this addition by the great willingness
of the congregations to sacrifice: by 15 March 1885 they had already
pledged the sum of $30,651.15, which sum rose to over $34,000.00
before the year's end. Of this sum, about $1000.00 has also since been
paid in, so that, according to the report of the General Treasurer, on 1
January 1887 there still remained on hand in cash in the Addison
building fund $6057.46. The supervisory board cannot help expressing
its heartfelt thanks here to the dear, generous donors. May God repay
the beloved congregations for their great love toward this institution.

"3. The plank walkway from the seminary to the bridge over Salt
Creek, for which the Synod had appropriated $500.00, has been built
through an agreement with the Village of Addison in such a way that
the Synod thereby not only saved some $200.00, but a considerable
stretch of the ordinary church path as well — namely all the low, wet
spots — could also be provided with plank walkways.

"It remains now only to report the following to the Reverend Synod
concerning the inside of the institution: in the school year 1884–1885
there were 200 students at the institution, namely 64 seminarians and
136 preparatory students; in 1886 the number of students was 240,
namely 77 seminarians and 163 preparatory students; in the current
school year the number of students was 206, namely 81 seminarians
and 125 preparatory students. — On account of illness, students left
the institution permanently: in 1884, four; in 1885, three; in 1886,
twelve; and to date this year, six. — For provisional assistance in
school service, seminarians were sent out: in 1884, thirteen; in 1885,
eleven; in 1886, eight; and to date this year, twelve. — After passing
the examination, candidates entered school service: in 1884,
twenty-one; in 1885, twenty-two; in 1886, forty-two; and this coming
June, God willing, twenty-nine graduating students will be examined.

"Since the opinion has taken hold in some circles of our Synod that
every year there are more teaching candidates than calls, and that it is
difficult to place the remaining candidates, let it be noted here that,
year after year, there are in fact 40 to 50 percent more calls than
candidates. Last year we had only 42 candidates for 52 calls, and that
was, for many years, an exceptionally large graduating class. The dear
congregations should therefore simply continue sending us plenty of
capable, gifted, and devout boys to be trained for school service.