# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1887_S85
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Fifth Delegate Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States, 1887. 85

Voting Rights for Teachers

The following petition had been directed to the synod by a number
of teachers: "Our dear synod certainly acted very wisely when, at its
founding, it incorporated into its constitution the provision that only
the representatives of the congregations may make monetary grants for
synodical purposes. The undersigned are of the opinion that this must
remain so in the future as well, that is, that only the authorized
representatives of the congregations should have the vote in the synod
on monetary grants. — Yet we also believe that it could only be a
blessing to the synod if, in the future, the teachers as well, or
respectively the advisory members [berathende Glieder], were granted the
vote in other matters, for example the election of officers. — The
undersigned therefore direct to the Reverend Synod the modest request
that it grant the teachers the vote in such matters." ...

In the judgment of the synod, granting this request would involve a
change to the constitution; that request could therefore not be granted
by the assembly now in session for that reason alone; but the synod is,
moreover, entirely unwilling to set such a change in motion — first,
because the benefit one might hope for from it can also be obtained
through the use of the rights already belonging to the advisory members;
and second, because it cannot be foreseen where the boundary would lie
in the case of a partial voting right; therefore

Resolved, that the said request be tabled.

Synodical Handbook

Professor Günther, who had been charged "with the final editing and
oversight of the printing of the third edition of the Synodical
Handbook" (see the report of the Delegate Synod of the year 1884, page
82), considered it advisable to bring the draft of the same before the
synod before handing it over for printing.

Resolved, that Prof. Günther be charged with inserting, in their
proper place, all resolutions passed at a later time that are suitable
for the Synodical Handbook, and also with comparing all resolutions,
with their wording, against the synodical reports, so that their
phrasing agrees exactly with that in the reports.

Resolved, that Prof. Günther be given hearty thanks for the
preparation of the draft of the Synodical Handbook, which has cost him
much time, heavy labor, and great diligence.