# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1899_S52
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

52 Proceedings of the 24th General, or

...the study of theology, but rather to attend, say, a state university.

"II. The number of students was: 1896-1897: 207; 1897-1898: 219;
1898-1899: 188. The decline during the last year is due to the fact that
only 7 students entered our institution from the pro-gymnasiums, against
28 the previous year. — As to the students' conduct, we may testify, with
thanks to God, that they respect and love their professors, and know they
are here to work. In particular it may be said of the upper classes that a
lively diligence shows itself among them, and that they — exceptions
granted — give good grounds for hope. — Here and there, it is true,
something regrettable has occurred, and a few students had to be expelled.
But we ask: 1. Where in all the world, even in Christendom, do not
regrettable things occur alongside gratifying ones? 2. Is it not
precisely the best evidence of good discipline being maintained, when
excesses come to the knowledge of the director, or of the faculty, quite
promptly — whether through their own vigilance or through students
reporting them — and when expulsion follows hard on the heels of serious
excesses as soon as they become known? For the rest, it may not be
superfluous to mention that the excesses which led to students' expulsion
were, for the most part, repetitions of misbehavior which, by the
offenders' own admission, they had been led into during the summer
vacation. In short: God's Word is the governing power in our institution,
and whoever seeks to escape it has no place in our gymnasium.

"III. The building of a new director's residence, resolved on by the
Synod at its last session, has been carried out, and Prof. Huth's
residence has likewise been enlarged as resolved. The sum of $5000.00
granted for both buildings has not been exceeded. — In addition, another
building has been erected which the Synod had not resolved on, but for
which the Synod's treasury has also not been charged. This is a college
hospital. Given how scanty our facilities were, providing a hospital was
almost a necessity. After careful consideration it was built, partly from
material taken from the old director's residence, partly from funds that
had come in to the institution and over which the board could freely
dispose. What a blessing this hospital is, we are learning precisely at
the time of writing this report (mid-March). Since several students are
currently ill with diphtheria, the institution would, for lack of a
hospital, simply have had to be placed under quarantine and instruction
interrupted for weeks. It is only to be regretted that we did not have
sufficient means at our disposal to build the hospital somewhat larger,
and in such a way that part of it would be entirely separated from the
other rooms.