# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1877_S22
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

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schools, but earnestness and zeal must be found in them. They must not, despite all obstacles, take their hand from the plow. Then the difficulties too can be overcome with God's help. A shining example of how, despite all difficulties, the main goal can be reached is offered by Iceland, where the heads of households teach their children excellently and so keep them with the Lutheran Church. Why should something similar not be done also in America, even in the wilderness? Parents should consider well that they have to care first for their children and then for their field or business. If the people only become true Christians, everything else will follow. This has also been seen among some English-speaking Lutherans in southern Missouri, who now already have flourishing parish schools. Only do not let up, for here too the proverb holds: constant dripping wears away the stone. Of course one must not expect that everything will come into finest order in one day. We need only be clear about the pastor's duty to take care of the youth. Some regard that as too small a work, for our time is a time of great undertakings. But it is precisely faithfulness in small things that we must learn. And a pastor who will not instruct the forsaken children in God's Word acts just as unfaithfully as if he did not want to preach.

Objections were raised whether the proposition that it is sin to send one's children to the public schools was not after all stated too generally, for there are cases where it is no wrong, e.g. where the schools are entirely in the hands of Lutherans.

To this it was replied that these are special cases. One can never send the children to enthusiasts, those who hold false doctrine, and unbelievers, for there the saying comes into consideration: "Beware of false prophets" and: "A little leaven leavens the whole lump." Every disciplinary case must be decided on the basis of morality, and an enthusiast can never do that rightly. The books must also be pure. It is further not enough that the teacher be Lutheran merely in name; he must be a man who administers his office in a Lutheran way, e.g. also gives proper instruction in history. If that is the case, one may let attendance at such a school pass in an emergency; for if one did not permit even that, one would no longer reach the consciences of well-informed Lutherans with one's objections. Moreover, the public school then has lost its real character. Of course, provision must also be made for religious instruction, so that the children are not deprived of God's Word, which may not be taught in the public schools.

The question was now raised whether one may support the public schools with one's taxes if they are sinful.

To this the answer was: Certainly. One need only pay proper attention to the distinction between church and state, and the question will be easily answered