# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1882_S43
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

— 43 —

indeed, still more, he treats us as crypto-Calvinists. We are firmly convinced that Prof. Schmidt would not go into any Reformed-Calvinist congregation if a part there caused unrest. But into our congregation he came and portrayed us there as hypocritical people. Is that not a procedure unheard of in church history? — Our dear Norwegian brethren now accuse us of harshness and unchristian treatment. But precisely we Wisconsin men have gone the right way, we have lodged a complaint against Prof. Schmidt with his Synod, and we are convinced that if the Norwegian Synod had known how Schmidt has treated us, it would not have elected him a delegate, but rather would have said: No Christian can approve such a procedure. But since the Norwegian Synod does not assemble before the Synodical Conference to deliberate on our accusation, what are we to do now? We can do nothing else than what the Norwegian Synod too would have done if it had come together: we must put to Prof. Schmidt: this and this is sin, and this you must penitently recognize and confess. If Schmidt would declare that he has sinned in this, we should be satisfied. Truly, we have gone with him as far as we could go, to the utmost limit of accommodation.

When Pastor Rasmussen further says: Schmidt is convinced of the correctness of his doctrine, we answer: Where has there ever been a heretic who did not claim that he is convinced of the correctness of his doctrine? But that does not matter at all, but rather whether his doctrine is really right, and whether those who attack him for his false doctrine are such villains as Schmidt has cried out into all the world. Never has Schmidt let it be seen that he bears with weakness in us, never has he treated us as erring brethren; but as obstinate, malicious, insidious people. How spitefully he seized from "Lehre und Wehre" the remark: we would not forsake the truth even if the whole Missouri Synod were to go to pieces over it. Do not take it amiss of us if we perceive from the whole behaviour and speech of a man what tendencies he has. That is no judging of hearts, otherwise the holy Apostle Paul too would have judged the heart, who says of the false spirits: They want to make themselves agreeable to you, so that they need not suffer reproach for the cross of Christ. So one can also conclude from Prof. Schmidt's conduct that it would be the greatest joy to him if in the Missouri Synod not one stone were left upon another. So he is, thank God, made manifest as an erring spirit who seeks to destroy the church. — The two Norwegian brethren always proceed from a petitio principii: we are namely to admit the possibility that we err in the doctrine and the opposing party is right. But thus no