# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1905_S133
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

11th Delegate Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States, 1905. 133

...a circle of congregations began such a work, provided they could also carry it out and maintain it without harm to the main work of our dear Synod.

"Here lies the serious motive behind that petition and this one: given the establishment of so many charitable branches, is there not, despite all that has been said so far, the danger that the main task of our Synod — caring for the spread of the Gospel — suffers harm because of it? A few members of the Synod who are convinced of the need for a charitable undertaking can start it and then claim the assistance of the whole Synod, even appoint special men to agitate for it far and wide — can the actual work of the Synod, caring for the preaching of the Gospel, not thereby easily be pushed into the background? Experience teaches that gifts are obtained far more readily for the relief of bodily need than for the relief of spiritual need. Must we not consider carefully whether we can in future obtain enough support from our dear congregations to carry out all the works we have undertaken, without the great work commanded to the Synod by God above all else — the preaching of the Gospel — suffering harm? There is undoubtedly a danger that the greater part of the gifts is sacrificed to such charitable purposes. Gratifying as it is that many charitable branches operate with a surplus, it is just as troubling that the Synod's building fund has run a constant deficit for the past 25 years. That truly gives one pause. Is not, and does it not remain, the training of pastors and teachers, the maintenance of our institutions, the chief matter among us? If it is not, we dig our own grave, because we forget our main task and fall into work-righteousness. Should we not, on the occasion of these sessions, again recognize vividly and joyfully the true main task assigned to us by God for our Church, and encourage one another to renew this recognition also in the congregational circles we represent, so that it stands clearly in the foreground everywhere, without prejudice to a proper zeal for other works of love pleasing to God?

"Further: synodical resolutions have determined the manner in which one may reach wider circles through appeals for aid. The Synod is, of course, only an advisory body; every congregation therefore has the right to give consideration also to such appeals as are not