# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1876_S53
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

— 53 —

give their consent and, with the exception of [illegible]
in any other way take part in this precious work, we must for the present be content.

We often also harbor quite unnecessary anxieties when we have to make demands on the willingness of our congregations to make sacrifices. How often are we put to shame by them, in that we find them more willing to give than we expected. If we place before their eyes the inexpressible blessing which such a joint institution must have for our Lutheran Church in America, they will certainly declare for its establishment with joy and gladly bring the sacrifices that are connected with it. Of all kinds of inconveniences there will indeed be no lack in the setting up of such an institution; but where are such not found? And how should these keep us from taking up such a work? Many little seminaries are the death of the Church. Do we want to lend our hand to that? Should it not be our task to procure for our students the opportunity to obtain the best possible training? How could this be done better than if we establish one institution in which we appoint as many capable teachers as possible for the different theological subjects, whereby without doubt more can be accomplished than if the whole burden rests on the shoulders of a few men, quite apart from what stimulating influence a greater number of teachers and students exerts on the individual, and that, given the difference of mental endowment, the one is better awakened by this teacher, the other by that? As also with a larger teaching staff a use of the various gifts of teaching is possible which cannot happen in small seminaries, because the necessary means for the maintenance of a larger teaching staff are lacking. But if we all stand together, it is a small matter for us to raise the necessary means for this.

If now such blessings are connected with the establishment of a theological joint seminary, how could we answer for it before God if we did not use everything that stands in our power to call such an institution into life as soon as possible! Let us rather rejoice that God deems us worthy to take part and to be able to take part in such a precious work.

After this discussion, by a unanimous resolution the following was added to the above six resolutions as the seventh:

7. We are of the conviction that the joint preachers' seminary projected in point 1 should be taken in hand as soon as possible, even in the event that state synods do not come into life so quickly. — We will recommend this to our synods.