# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1914_S48
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

48 Proceedings of the 29th General or

Concordia Gymnasium at St. Paul, Minn.

The report of the honorable board of control read as follows:

In the past three years, on which we hereby report to the Reverend
Synod, God has not left our institution without witness of his
goodness and kindness. He has granted the professors health and vigorous
working strength, and has crowned their labor with rich blessing and
success. Instruction has been carried on almost without interruption;
only Prof. Heuer had to suspend his duties for a few months at the
beginning of this year to recover from a mild stroke. The student body,
too, has graciously been preserved from serious illness, so that, as
far as general health is concerned, these years rank among the best in
the institution's history. It once seemed as though the Lord had
withdrawn his protecting hand from the institution; for on the
afternoon of July 19, 1911, a fire broke out in the attic of the main
building, which spread quickly and threatened the whole building. The
cause of the fire could not be determined. But God intended it only as
a small chastisement, meant to recall his otherwise abundantly proven
goodness and to call to gratitude. The fire department succeeded in
confining the blaze to the attic space; nevertheless, damage amounting
to $3430.00 was done.

Among the teaching staff, which has attended to its office with
diligent faithfulness and conscientiousness, a few changes are to be
recorded. The chair left vacant by Prof. Arndt's resignation was filled
temporarily until June 1912 by Mr. P. W. Baumhöfener and then, in the
fall, permanently by the call of Mr. P. P. Kretzmann. With the consent
of the Reverend General President, a Septima [lowest preparatory class]
was established at the beginning of 1914 because of the inadequate
preparation of a number of pupils. Mr. P. M. Bertram has been
temporarily engaged for this class.

The following figures give information on the institution's
enrollment: pupils in 1911/12: 157; 1912/13: 161; 1913/14: 176. These
figures show that the institution is developing vigorously. It is to
be expected that, with the growing population of the Northwest,
enrollment will continue to rise. As for the pupils' conduct, we have
no particular cause for complaint. Apart from a few flagrant exceptions
that required the severest discipline, the student body has conducted
itself in a Christian and moral manner. The upper classes deserve the
testimony that they have stood by the director admirably in upholding
discipline and order.

Of the appropriations granted at the last Synod, we have made use of
all but one. The enlarged heating plant — $1000.00 was saved in the
process — is proving excellent. The wash-room and privy facilities have
been fitted out sanitarily; the