# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1876_S37
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

— 37 —

For the LORD says to a preacher: Son of man, I have set thee a watchman, that thou shouldst warn the wicked from me. If you do not preach so that he who belongs to hell learns it through you, and he who belongs to heaven does not hear it through you, then you are yourself a child of hell, and I will require the blood of the neglected souls at your hand. It requires long years of study to be able to divide the Word of truth rightly and to administer the office according to God's will. Then comes now such a fool, who knows nothing, and has the effrontery to say he wants to be a physician of souls, who wants to turn the people from the way to hell, and he goes to hell himself [printed "Hülle"]. Is that not dreadful?

Ludwig Hartmann writes: "Can anyone promise his service or the work of his office for fixed years? — We say: No. 1. Because such a calling presumptuously prescribes to God, who calls, a term after the expiry of which, however the church may behave, he wants to take leave of it; just as it is not the business of a legate to prescribe to his master how long he is to represent him. 2. Because there are carnal counsels in it, which ought to be far from this matter; for such a one thinks that if the matter does not turn out according to the heart's desire, or treasures are not to be gathered, or many adversities are to be borne, he will then easily wind himself out of these labyrinths. 3. On account of very many disadvantages: for if the faithfulness of a pastor were very acceptable to the church, it would be unexpectedly robbed of him; also because through such frequent change the church property is, as is well known, greatly diminished. — If one asks further whether it is permitted to call a servant of the Word under the fixed condition of how long, so that, if the patron will no longer hear and tolerate the pastor, he must go away and wander to another place? I answer: We are servants of God and this office is God's, to which we are called by God, though through men; this holy work must therefore be dealt with in a holy way, not however according to human caprice. A shepherd and a cowherd men can hire for a time, and if their service no longer pleases, dismiss at the fixed time (but not always when they wish): but to deal so with a shepherd of souls is in no man's power. Neither can the servant of the Word himself accept the holy office in such a way, if he does not want to be a hireling. Certainly those who were so called would not perform the office diligently and faithfully, but become flatterers and say what pleases the people, or they would have to be expecting every hour that their service would be given notice." (Pastorale ev. p. 104.)

The preacher should also not think: I will no longer quarrel with the people, — but precisely then, when it is in the con-