# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1911_S119
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

13th Delegate Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States, 1911. 119

e. European Free Churches.

The following report of the Commission lay before the Synod:

The Commission would very much wish that the Venerable Synod occupy itself somewhat more thoroughly with its relationship specifically to the Saxon Free Church. The dear brethren over there often feel very abandoned, and their situation often appears to them very sad. For the sake of their testimony to the truth, they have few friends over there, but a great many enemies, and the thought occurs to them that even in our Synod, interest in them and their work keeps declining. Their congregations are, with few exceptions, small in membership, and the members are for the most part poor in earthly goods. A good number of their congregations must be supported if the public preaching office is to be maintained among them. However much the pastors economize, it is impossible for them to get by on what their congregations are able to give. And it must be said in the congregations' favor that they strain hard in their giving. From where, then, is support to flow to them? On earth they know no one except those by whose brethren they are reviled and slandered — the Missourians. If we abandon them, they will have to give up the Lord's work. But should we not be willing to extend support to them, we who are so richly blessed by God both spiritually and materially? Saxony gave us the two men who are, of all people, dearest to us Lutherans of the Missouri Synod. In Saxony, Luther, the reformer of the Church, who put the light of the saving gospel back on the lampstand, lived, taught, and fought. From Saxony came the precious man whose hundredth birthday we celebrate this year with great enthusiasm — the Luther of America, our highly honored teacher, Dr. C. F. W. Walther. Should we not then gladly help the light of the pure gospel to shine in some places there, from where it has come to us in a twofold sense? From Germany, moreover, modern unbelieving theology now draws its error and its false teachings; how important that we have witnesses to the truth precisely there, at the seat of the lie! And our brethren there testify joyfully and undaunted, and their trumpet gives a clear, bright sound. Their writings prove this, especially their paper, "Die Ev.-Luth. Freikirche" [The Evangelical Lutheran Free Church], which we would urgently recommend, if only for its excellent content, but also because subscribing to it supports the mission there.

The Saxon Free Church needs $4000.00 in support annually from our Synod. But the Commission can only pay out when there is something in this treasury, and the treasury is often completely empty. What can be done so that $1000.00 can be sent over quarterly, so that our brethren there are not repeatedly thrown into great difficulty? May the Venerable Synod seriously consider this question.