# Lehre und Wehre_St. Louis Missouri_April 1857_S115
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

...the hand of God was likewise visible in the supply of the necessary teaching staff. This Gymnasium is in a state of continuing growth; at Michaelmas of this year it also received its Prima [top form], and can therefore, from its own bosom, send forth young men directly to the university afterward. The number of pupils is about 100, and board can already be had for 60, 80, or 100 Thaler. How important such a Lutheran institution is — one led by Lutheran teachers in one mind and spirit — is evident. For the sake of security on every side, Pastor Francke also proposed to the synod that the church regard the institution as its own and take it over, or at least assume oversight [Revisorat] over it.

Belonging also, perhaps, to the sphere of communications we have to make from the synod is the following. Several motions had been submitted urging an increase in the strength of the Oberkirchencollegium. These were referred to a special committee for further examination, and the committee concluded that the proposed increase was indeed necessary. Difficulties here arose, however, over the financial point regarding compensation, since it seemed desirable that such a member should take up residence in Breslau, which the examination of the records in particular would make necessary. And since it also seemed desirable that such a member perhaps belong to the clerical estate, his compensation would then become necessary, inasmuch as he could not, like all the other members of the reverend Oberkirchencollegium up to this time, take on so burdensome a task without pay. It was agreed to bring the necessity and importance of the matter home to the congregations as well; and since it was not practicable to institute a special tax or order a new collection, consideration should instead be given in the congregations to encouraging gifts, legacies, or bequests — which is certainly unobjectionable, provided one proceeds with all due care and does not in any way restrict anyone's freedom. This, after all, has always been the church's practice. A gratifying feature emerged in this connection, namely this: a deputy, a plain countryman, on his departure laid down 5½ Thaler as a first mite toward a fund to be established for this purpose.

It was mentioned that Lutherans of foreign lands had frequently expressed the wish to be thoroughly instructed about our origin and continued existence, coupled with the complaint that in many respects they lacked a clear insight into our circumstances. The motion submitted was therefore put: "May the reverend synod resolve upon the composition of a book of moderate size, which shall present, in a concise, comprehensible, and dignified account, the history, doctrine, worship, and constitution of the Lutheran Church in Prussia, for the instruction and orientation of everyone, and in particular for those being received into membership and the confirmed...