# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1879_S29
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

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mended plan, to begin with its execution. These state synods should of course enjoy the same freedom in the administration of their own affairs, and stand in the same relation to the general synods to be formed, as heretofore in the district synods now existing. —

On Point 2 it was remarked: These state synods should of course not exist each for itself without a closer bond with the others. Otherwise we would get a number of some 20 to 30 independent state synods. Experience has shown, however: if we want to carry on the work entrusted to us with success and emphasis, we must join together into larger associations. It was also to be foreseen that, through the coming together of the pastors and congregations of different synods in each state, the defects and failings that one has noticed in the preachers and congregations of the other synod, and on account of which one has shrunk from entering into a closer connection with them, could be more easily seen and remedied than if one remains outwardly separated from one another. Those preachers and congregations that are still against the carrying out of sound Lutheran principles would then soon see that they must either take our standpoint or leave. — The union of the state synods into larger general synods is also to be urged for this reason, that few preachers and congregations will probably be found who would be ready to separate themselves so completely from that general synod to which they have hitherto belonged, and to be confined only to state synods. In the manner stated in Point 2 the members of this synod would not be compelled to give up entirely their former connection with all their former synodical associates who do not live in the same state with them; which one will surely have to consider, if one does not want to bring the whole undertaking to nothing from the start. — "Two or three general synods" it says for the sake of the possibility that the honourable synods of Minnesota and Wisconsin too may be the more inclined to join the beautiful work that we have in hand if a synod of their own is founded in the Northwest and they would not be compelled to enter one of the old synodical connections. If they should not join, three general synods, or even only two general synods, could nevertheless be formed, in which case the state of Michigan would be assigned to the eastern general synod. The proposal had been made that the Synodical Conference [*Synodalconferenz*] should also include in its proposal the names of the general synods to be formed, and call them, say, "the General Lutheran Synod of the East" and so forth; or else thus: the General Synod of Ohio and Other States, the General Synod of Missouri and Other States, the Gen-