# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1877_S38
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

— 38 —

1. The venerable Synod of Illinois and Other States:

On the occasion of this body's sessions, a committee to which the minutes of last year's Synodical Conference [*Synodalconferenz*] had been referred reported as follows: "Your committee sees with joy that, besides the instructive content of the theses on church fellowship, which were begun to be discussed already in previous years and are before us for further discussion, there is also a committee report, which, in order to achieve greater unity among the German synods belonging to the Synodical Conference, recognizes as best the forming of a general German synod, which in turn is to be divided into state synods.

"As to the former, the Synodical Conference regards it as impractical, since the territory is too large. In the other case, however, namely to form state synods, it was resolved: 'That we are convinced that this so important matter should be taken up even now with all earnestness and zeal, that we therefore advise all our synods to take steps without delay so that state synods come into being, if not immediately everywhere, then at least where it can be done without great difficulties, without harm and disadvantage. All delegates shall and will advocate this in their synods.'

"Your committee agrees with this resolution from the heart and asks the venerable Synod to instruct its delegates to this year's convention of the Synodical Conference to advocate the establishment of state synods [*Staaten⸗Synoden*]." So far the committee report. The synod as such then resolved:

"To lay this matter before its congregations in order to hear what they say about it, since we cannot act further in this matter before that. The pastors concerned are therefore hereby requested to do this in the course of the present synodical year and to report at the next convention."

2. The venerable Synod of Minnesota and Other States:

It had made the following declarations:

"1. We recognize the formation of independent state synods as the goal.

2. We wish to proceed further in this matter in our congregations and conferences.

3. We consider the time for a union not yet to have come.

4. The representatives of the Minnesota Synod submit at this year's session of the Synodical Conference the foregoing resolutions, with the declaration that they will report again next year."

Mr. President [*Präſes*] A. Kuhn added to this that in his synod there are no obstacles, but that there is only a difference of view over the question whether the state synods are to stand entirely independent or later