# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1905_S131
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

11th Delegate Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States, 1905. 131

...would be established. We are firmly convinced that by establishing and following such a system our treasuries would be put in such a condition that all necessary expenses could be met.

"How effective good systems are in this regard is shown by the following: in each of our districts there is a relief fund for the widows and orphans of pastors and teachers. This fund, too, is often short. Since 1897 a small pastoral conference has begun to set up a system of contributing to this fund within its circle. It has appointed a man who keeps a list of the contributions from congregations and pastors. If a congregation or a pastor has contributed nothing to this fund within about a year, he kindly draws the pastor's attention to it, and when a conference service is held in a congregation, he reminds the pastor in question to ask the congregation for the collection for the relief fund. How beneficial this system has proven to be can be seen from the following figures. In 1896, before the system was established, only $102.35 came in from the conference circle; by contrast, in 1903 more than double that, namely $257.63. "That the result is so favorable," writes one brother, "comes solely from the fact that, under the system now established, pastors and congregations now give regularly for the relief fund." Every pastor and every congregation was now doing something proper, and so it should be. The other funds have not been harmed by the establishment of this system for the one fund.

"If we go on raising funds as before, we will always have shortages to complain of in our most important treasuries; but if in the future we follow a fixed, salutary system, we will receive the necessary contributions, for our members have both the means and the will to give. We as a Synod need only take up the matter of giving properly; without work, no success.

"We now take the liberty of submitting the following proposals to an Honorable Synod:

"1. The visitor of each conference district shall keep a list of the congregations' contributions to the Home Missions, Synodical, and Building funds. If a congregation contributes nothing to any of these funds within about a year, or only a disproportionately small amount, he shall inquire of the pastor in question about it and speak plainly as the case requires.