# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1877_S8
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

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Thesis 10.

This contradiction is no less present when a Lutheran synod or a composite synodical body tolerates that individual pastors of its own, who likewise call themselves Lutheran, serve congregations that are in fact united [*unirt*, i.e. Union churches].

Thesis 11.

It further contradicts the confession when the church body allows its pastors to have no regular call from their congregations but only a temporary one, or even itself strengthens this disorder through the licensing system.

Thesis 12.

It is a glaring contradiction of the confession when a church body that calls itself Lutheran and wants to be Lutheran shows no earnestness and zeal, as far as lies in its power, to establish orthodox parish schools [*Gemeindeſchulen*] where they do not exist.

*) The following was remarked on this:

In former times it was the rule in the Lutheran congregations of America to maintain a parish school, but now these have been lost in many synods. People content themselves with so-called Sunday schools. And yet these are an exceedingly poor substitute, for never can the lambs of Christ be fed in them as the Lord has commanded. Therefore it is the holy duty of the pastors, in congregations that are too poor to employ a separate teacher, to hold school themselves at least three days a week. If this is not done, such congregations have no future. For if the children are not brought up in the pure doctrine and under the discipline of the divine Word, they either fall prey to the sects or wither away entirely. Therefore the congregations are to be instructed with all earnestness about the duty of establishing parish schools, especially where this duty was formerly not rightly recognized. It is, on the other hand, irresponsible if the pastors in this regard do not show all diligence and zeal.

That Luther was convinced of the necessity of parish schools can be seen especially from two of his writings. These are the writing "To the Councilmen of All Cities of Germany, that they should establish and maintain Christian schools," of the year 1524, and the mighty sermon "That One Should Keep Children in School," of the year 1530. Indeed, already in 1518, in the Ten Commandments preached to the people at Wittenberg, Luther writes:

*) Minutes of the secretary, Prof. A. Ernst.