# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1914_S20
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

20 Proceedings of the 29th General or

members, 2100 schools, 1000 teachers, 1100 pastors also serving as
teachers, 94,000 schoolchildren. Today the figures stand thus: 2500
pastors and professors, 4100 congregations and preaching stations,
950,000 souls, 575,000 communicant members, 2260 schools, 1100
teachers, 1200 pastors also serving as teachers, 96,000 schoolchildren.
Of the increase of 70,000 souls, 30,000 souls fall to the English
District, which was joined to our Synod three years ago. Whereas in
the preceding triennium contributions for churchly purposes outside
each congregation's own household amounted to $1,690,000, in the
last three years $2,385,000 was raised.

The inner growth of our Synod largely escapes our notice and is
known only to Him who searches hearts. Besides, conditions among us
vary so greatly. We have old congregations and quite young
congregations, congregations abundantly supplied with Word and
Sacrament, as well as preaching stations visited only at long
intervals by the traveling preacher. In general the situation is
such that we all have cause to pray: "Make yourself ready, my
spirit, watch, plead and pray, that the evil hour not come upon you
unawares; for it is Satan's cunning to come upon many of the devout
as temptation."

Our District Synods.

At the 41 district synods held in the past triennium — not counting
Brazil — the General Synod was represented by its presiding
officers. The vice-presidents rendered willing and excellent service
here as on other occasions as well. At all the synods the best time
was devoted to doctrinal proceedings. The topics were in part
historical in nature. However justified that is for variety's sake,
we still wish to hold to the practice of our fathers and pursue,
chiefly, the doctrines of God's word at our synods, by which firm
Bible Christians and conscious Lutherans are raised up. Interest in
each district's own home mission work was lively everywhere. Ample
time was also willingly spent discussing the business of the General
Synod.

Our Educational Institutions.

I have paid annual visits to our educational institutions. It is an
inexpressible grace of God that our professors teach in a Christian
spirit and mind, and that our pupils and students stand constantly
under the discipline of God's word and so are truly prepared for
their glorious calling. Unfortunately some institutions lack the
necessary teaching staff, and the Synod should give full attention
to the petitions aimed at this. Visitations of every kind have not
been lacking. Our St. Louis seminary lost the richly gifted teacher
and doctor of Holy Scripture,