# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1877_S43
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

— 43 —

In support of this proposal it was emphasized that there is evidently a great difference in the interpretation of the sentence of the Constitution: "Striving for a delimitation of the synods according to territorial boundary," in that some conceive the individual state synods as entirely independent of larger general synods and only loosely connected, as hitherto, within the Synodical Conference [*Synodalconferenz*], others, however, wish for an intermediate link between the Synodical Conference and its state synods, namely larger bodies of church government or general synods. In this differing sense the resolutions of last year's Synodical Conference are also being regarded.

Since this difference now exists, and probably all sorts of other obstacles are in the way and prejudices prevail, etc., love of peace and unity requires that one speak out thoroughly once in a narrower circle and, if possible, seek to achieve unity in this matter too. It would occur to no synod to regard this as a moral pressure that one wanted to exert upon it. We are agreed in this, that we are only an advisory body and can and will therefore command nothing. But precisely because we are this, it is for us to give good counsel in this also.

After this exchange of opinions the last proposal was raised to a unanimous resolution, and the following members were appointed to the committee by the respective synods:

Pastor J. T. Bötticher from the Illinois Synod;

Pastor A. Kuhn from the Minnesota Synod;

Professors C. F. W. Walther and W. Stellhorn, Pastors H. Wunder and H. A. Allwardt, and Messrs. J. Umbach and J. Birkner from the Missouri Synod;

Professor F. A. Schmidt and Pastor V. Koren from the Norwegian Synod;

Professors W. F. Lehmann, M. Loy and C. H. L. Schütte from the Ohio Synod;

Professors A. Ernst, Dr. W. Notz and A. Gräbner and Pastors J. Bading and Ph. Brenner from the Wisconsin Synod.

The result of this committee's negotiation is given by its declaration to the Conference the next morning, as follows:

"The procedure of the venerable Wisconsin Synod regarding the state synods and especially a joint seminary had aroused the concern that this synod no longer agreed to the plan of the Synodical Conference and therefore also did not wish to go hand in hand with it in this matter. As a result, a cordial and brotherly discussion has now taken place, and the result is that all members of the committee have gained the conviction that we are after all heartily united in the main matter, and that in the future we shall be most carefully concerned