# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1872_S72
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

— 72 —

The Synodical Conference [*Synodal⸗Conferenz*], it was said, has first of all the task that the individual synods and congregations belonging to it grow more into one another and gain greater confidence in one another. Up to now, why should we deny it? even if the synods as a whole are one, there is nevertheless, between quite a number of congregations and also preachers, from the past still quite some ill feeling, some wound not yet entirely healed over. That should first be changed before we begin home mission together. Besides: Where are we to get the people whom we are to put to this work? Of some fifty requests for preachers, addressed by already existing congregations to one of the synods represented here alone, only thirty could be granted and the congregations supplied with preachers; the others all remain for the present still without preachers, however much that hurts. Suppose now we had a few men whom we entrusted with that work, what is to become of the congregations which they gather? Where are they to get preachers again? Where, finally, are the missionaries of the Synodical Conference to direct for affiliation the congregations which they gather and found? Would not envy and distrust soon stir among the other synods if such new congregations swelled the ranks of the others? It would therefore be better that the individual synods carry on the matter as hitherto, until the circumstances have become different, perhaps so that each state has its own synod bounded by it. To this it was said from another side: One recognizes indeed the difficulty which stands in the way of carrying out this task, but by our postponing the matter it is not helped. Year after year, and the longer the more seriously, this task would press itself upon us, and in delay there lies already the danger. Consider what losses our Church has already suffered precisely through the wretched waiting and putting off. The sects keep pace with the advance of immigration and thus take away our best members first. Afterwards we too finally come along, to be sure, but hold a meager gleaning. If one then reproves those who have gone over to the sects, they say: Yes, where were you Lutherans, when we sat there poor and miserable, languishing without the care of the Church and spiritually hungering? And this reproach would then rightly strike us if we needlessly delayed the work. Therefore, if the difficulties at the moment are also great, they should nevertheless not hinder us from undertaking the work in the name of the LORD, whose cause it is; He will be with us with counsel and help. A beginning, therefore, we should make this time already, offer our hands to dear God and say: Here You have us, only use us for Your service according to Your pleasure. The matter is indeed commanded by God and therefore certainly pleasing to Him. As for the envy mentioned from the other side, which would arise between the synods, one has no such fears. So far are we, by God's grace, that it will only be welcome to one synod if the other