# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1905_S22
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

22 Proceedings of the 26th General or

...place it, but rather that men, especially theologians, must regulate
the statements of Scripture according to a rational whole — which is
falsely called the "analogy of faith." By what accords with faith one
understands not what Scripture teaches, but what seems to fit the
context the theologian wishes to construct.

The State of the Synod in General.

"How do things stand in the Synod?" So ask the individual members of
the Synod who have the welfare of the church at heart. So ask, in
particular, the officers of the Synod, who on behalf of the
congregations are charged with keeping watch. The question is not
chiefly one of outward growth. That question our "Statistical Yearbook"
of course answers for us. A steady growth is to be recorded. In the
last triennium 126 pastors, 152 congregations, and 30,184 communicant
members have been added to our fellowship. The number of mission
stations has also increased, rising from 778 to 882. The question "How
do things stand in the Synod?" is chiefly a question about the inner
spiritual condition: "How do things stand with respect to the Christian
faith and the Christian life?" According to my observation, matters
stand thus: there are congregations and regions where a decline is
noticeable. In other congregations and other places, on the other hand,
the first love reigns, or the first love has awakened again. In more
than one report that reached me it was said: with us the state of the
church resembles "a garden of God." The same may be said in particular
of the parish-school system. In some places it has declined; in other
places it is increasing and is in a flourishing condition. Especially
in the West, and also in some places in the East, the desire for parish
schools has strongly expressed itself. We have, on the one hand, great
cause to humble ourselves deeply; on the other hand, we must praise
God's great grace, which still continually works its wonders among us.
Nor can I fail to point out, with appreciation and praise, the fact
that no fewer than 1,082 of our pastors, besides the preaching office,
also carry on the teaching office. What mental and physical strain and
what self-denial this involves is known from experience by all those
who have been in the same position. This schoolteaching, as the late
Dr. Walther used to say, makes no great show before men, but
especially reveals the faithful pastor who does not begrudge
undertaking the instruction of the young himself,