# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1877_S11
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

— 11 —

rica and are included in Luther's Volksbibliothek [People's Library]. Unfortunately this fine work has not yet found proper circulation outside the Synod of Missouri. When those writings of Luther first appeared in Germany, their effect was that the whole country was sown with schools. If we too were to take the spread of them to heart, a similar success could occur here.

Luther states the last reason as follows: "The third is probably the highest of all, namely God's commandment, who so often urges and demands through Moses that parents should teach their children, as also Psalm 78:4 ff. says: 'How highly he commanded our fathers to make known and to teach to their children, children's children!' And the fourth commandment of God also points to this, where he commands children obedience to their parents so highly that disobedient children are to be put to death by the court, Deut. 21:21. And why do we old people live, except to look after, teach and bring up the young people? It is not possible that the foolish young people should teach and keep themselves; therefore God has committed them to us, who are old and know what is good for them, and he will require a very heavy account from us for them. Therefore Moses also commands, Deut. 32:7, and says: 'Ask your father, he will tell you; the old men will show you.' Although it is sin and shame that we must first be stirred up and let ourselves be stirred up to bring up our children and young people and to consider their welfare, when nature itself should drive us to it and the example of the heathen shows us in many ways. There is no unreasoning animal that does not look after its young and teach them what they need, except the ostrich, of which God speaks in Job 39:17, that it is so hard toward its young as if they were not its own, and leaves its eggs on the ground. And what does it help that we otherwise had and did everything, and were even nothing but saints, if we neglect that for the sake of which we chiefly live, namely caring for the young people?"

What a saying! As soon as a person has come to faith, it is time for him to go to heaven. Why then does God leave him on earth? So that the young people may also come to heaven. Thus we ourselves become saviors!

It continues: "I also consider that among outward sins the world before God is burdened by none so heavily, and deserves so dreadful a punishment, as by this one, which we commit against the children, that we do not bring them up. Yes, you say, all this is said to the parents; what does it have to do with the councilmen and the authorities? That is rightly spoken; but how? if the parents do not do it? Who is to do it then? Shall it be left undone and the children neglected? How will the authorities and council excuse themselves, that such a thing should not be their duty?"

It is to be remarked here that "councilmen" [*Rathsherren*] and "council" [*Rath*] must nowadays and in this country be translated as "congregation members" and "congregation." For