# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1882_S45
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

— 45 —

point here is this: Is Schmidt, according to his conduct in word and deed, our brother by Christian standards? Whoever can answer that with yes, that is incomprehensible.

Consider also what the Synodical Conference actually is. It is not a free conference to which all possible spirits may come; but it is a union of brethren in the faith. Hence the first purpose of the Synodical Conference stands in its constitution: "Outward expression of the unity of spirit of the synods concerned." But if the unity of spirit is to express itself, it must be there beforehand. Now it can happen that one or another departs from the truth through the devil's cunning. Hence the next purpose is: "To remove disturbances occurring in the unity of spirit." But this can be carried out only on the supreme ground: if we still recognize one another as brethren in the faith. Whoever becomes manifest as an enemy has lost the right to speak in the Synodical Conference. Schmidt has now not answered the question whether he wished to sit among us as brother or enemy. That means evidently that he has come here as our enemy. For had he come as a brother in the faith, he would have said so.

When it is now said: precisely through the rejection of Schmidt the Conference fails to do what is its purpose and aim, namely to foster unity and remove disturbances, one should not overlook that the Synodical Conference has, precisely in this controversy, fulfilled its purpose as far as was possible. The Conference is formed by all the pastors and congregations of the synods concerned. All these cannot assemble to set erring brethren right. Hence only a number of representatives of the synods, pastors and congregations come together. That such an assembly has not come about for three years is not the fault of the Conference itself. Nevertheless the Synodical Conference has not been idle, but has made official attempts to restore the disturbed unity, in that, through its highest officer, the president, Prof. Larsen, a colloquy was appointed at Milwaukee, to which he summoned the public teachers of theology and the presidents within the Conference to speak out on this dispute. Therefore this ground also falls, that the Conference is not doing what its purpose is. What could be done in this period has been done, but alas! all was in vain. Yes, at the colloquy at Milwaukee the opponents were offered that one was willing to negotiate still more and further with them, only the hostile polemic was to cease. But to this condition Prof. Schmidt did not agree, but declared he had the call to continue the fight. This is what makes it impossible to recognize him any longer as a brother.

Thereupon Pastor Muus rose once more and said: "The question has also arisen in me whether I should here regard the Missourians as heretics