# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1902_S78
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

78 Proceedings of the 25th General, or

...[congregations that] became [English-speaking] were shaped in such a
way that they separated from us, formed their own congregations, and
joined the English Synod. In 1899 our Synod also chose a committee to
reach further agreement with the brethren of the English Synod on this
matter, and it was agreed that the above-mentioned arrangement should
continue. We are convinced, however, that for the better conduct of the
business of the Kingdom of God this arrangement should now be
changed, namely so that in future there be no congregational or
synodical separation between the Germans and those becoming English
in our Synod, but that both remain together in One Synod, just as also
in their respective congregations. We therefore take the liberty of
recommending to the Synod that it take up this important matter for
deliberation, on the basis of the following propositions:

"I. Concerning the Synod's relationship to its congregations and
standing members that are becoming English.

"1. The reasons given in Chapter I of our synodical constitution,
especially in paragraphs 3, 4, and 6, for the formation of a synodical
union argue not for as loose a connection as possible, but for as close
and firm a one as possible.

"This is not only self-evident and was therefore well recognized from
the outset by the founders of our Synod, but it is also confirmed by
our Synod's more than fifty years of experience. The congregations
and standing members becoming English should therefore remain in
close and firm connection with the Synod.

"2. The disadvantage that, with a close synodical connection between
German speakers and English speakers, two languages would be heard
in the conventions, and minutes possibly would have to be kept in two
languages as well, would be a relatively minor one. For the near
future, all the English congregations arising out of our circles would be
able to send to the synodical conventions representatives who are
proficient in the German language. And later, it may be expected, all
the German congregations would in turn be able to have themselves
represented by people who could understand and speak English.

"It is well known that proceedings in the Swiss Parliament have for
years been conducted in three different languages, and this does not
prevent Switzerland from serving, in many respects, as a model of
good government for other states. Why, then, should the slight
disadvantage that two languages would have to be used in the
synodical conventions hinder us from forming One Synod with our
brethren who are becoming English, or rather from keeping them in
our Synod?