# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1876_S47
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

— 47 —

Without doubt it is only in this way that the root evil among us, that congregations of different synods and, especially in cities, the individual members of different congregations live mixed together, can gradually be thoroughly removed. If it remains as it is, the temptation will also remain that one synod and congregation tries to outrun the other; many will then look more and more to their synod rather than to God's Kingdom. Our question is therefore, first, only this: Is it now time to strive for this goal with all earnestness and zeal? It is of course not a matter of having this carried out everywhere at once, perhaps even by force; nor of having the territorial delimitation of the individual congregations carried through at the same time as the establishment of state synods. If only the former has once been done, we are already a considerable step forward and the other will certainly be the natural consequence. Finally, it is also not a matter of the abolition of the existing general synods or of preventing new general synods from forming. Even with the establishment of state synods there may still be several larger general synods. Of such there may well be three or four in the United States. Naturally it would be in the freedom of the individual state synods to which general synod they wish to join. In the *Synodalconferenz* [Synodical Conference] all would then still be united in one body for the preservation of the unity and purity of doctrine and for the furtherance of the Kingdom of God in general.

A deputy from the lay estate spoke especially earnestly and heartily for the establishment of state synods and gave it to be considered whether the difficulty of the matter did not lie especially with the pastors, and what a great harm this was.

Of course this work requires men who are ready also to bring sacrifices. If one does not want that, let one leave the whole matter untouched.

Thereupon it was unanimously

resolved, that we are of the conviction that this so important matter should be taken up already now with all earnestness and zeal, that we therefore advise all our synods to take steps without delay so that state synods come into life, if not at once everywhere, then at any rate where it can be done without great difficulties, without harm and disadvantage. All delegates shall and will represent this in their synods.

The way to be taken will be this, that one synod make to the other the proposal for the union of the parts of both living in one state. At any rate individual parts should not take steps for the carrying out of the matter before they have obtained the consent of their synod. Because of the difficulties which stand in the way of the execution, especially with regard to institutions and other property of the synods, the Conference held it advisable to appoint a committee consisting of one pastor each