# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1899_S62
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

62 Proceedings of the 24th General, or

entering the service of our Synod, is a very large one. In all, 250
students have attended the institution. Of these, 35 stand in the
preaching office, 1 in the teaching office, one candidate awaits God's
gracious help toward a full recovery; 16 are studying at the St. Louis
Seminary, 1 at Springfield, 22 at Fort Wayne, 12 at Milwaukee, 2 at
Watertown, Wis.; in the institution there are 27 students giving good
hope — total 117. Dead, engaged in business, and serving as
physicians and attorneys are 133. Thus almost 47 percent of the
former students are in, or preparing themselves for, the office of the
church. Over this we rejoice and thank God. Our Progymnasium has
been a blessing for our Synod and, by God's grace, will continue to be
so in the future.

"We must preserve and build up our classical schools. But by
what means can that be achieved? Through printed and preached
word, Luther's spirit and mind must be brought into the consciences of
our people. Then we shall not lack for students or for means for our
institutions. Further, we must adapt our classical schools to the
circumstances, the place, and the population in all matters that do not
touch the confession of our precious faith. This we say with regard to
our Progymnasium. Here in the East the people are Americanizing
themselves fairly rapidly. The English language is becoming the
predominant one. It is probably worth investigating whether a larger
place should not be given to this language. But this, and what is
connected with it, we leave to later deliberation.

"Finally, let it be said: we must offer our large eastern population
something complete, a whole college course. Our college can gain a
name, the charm that draws students, only in this way. With this we
return to the well-founded wish of our Eastern District, to build out our
Progymnasium into a full gymnasium.

"Lastly, let it be reported that Mr. W. Dick, who had been elected
by the Reverend General Synod as a member of the Oversight Board,
declined to serve. In his place the remaining members provisionally
elected Mr. N. A. Stemmermann of the Ev. Luth. St. Mark's
congregation at Brooklyn. Mr. Heinr. Fischer, the tireless servant and
promoter of the institution, was called away by the Lord of the church to
the rest of the children of God. In his place Mr. J. Oberbeck was
provisionally elected. We ask for confirmation of these elections.

"May the faithful Lord of the church rule graciously over ours and
over all the classical schools of our precious Synod, to the honor of his
name and the salvation of our whole people! Amen." (Report of the
Oversight Board at Neperan, N. Y.)