# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1882_S51
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

— 51 —

In explanation of the word "hastily" [voreilig] in the first question it was further remarked that we do not call this a hasty action according to our own understanding, but in Schmidt's sense. The meaning is, in general, this: that he has not taken the steps which he, as a Christian and member of the Synodical Conference, should have taken beforehand.

So now the first question was put to Prof. Schmidt. He answered to it: "I do not understand how the Conference can make such a demand. For I am to confess that I have reviled the doctrine of the Conference. Reviling naturally includes: 'undeservedly.'"

When the second question was put to Prof. Schmidt, he answered decidedly: "No!"

So the third question had become unnecessary.

With deep distress the Conference had received these answers, whereby Prof. Schmidt had now himself made it impossible to grant him seat and vote in the Synodical Conference as delegate. Many delegates rose in turn and expressed their deepest regret and great distress over Prof. Schmidt's conduct, who even in this decisive moment cut off every opportunity of dealing with him as a brother. His former fellow students from the time of study, younger and older pastors, his old teacher, Dr. Walther, a Norwegian delegate and the president of the Synodical Conference addressed moving, earnest, admonishing and warning words to him.

Prof. Schmidt, however, replied at the close as follows: "I have very often in life the misfortune that I am misunderstood with regard to the manner and way in which I speak and act. That has its cause in myself also. I therefore wish by no means to lay the blame on anyone that I and my conduct have been misunderstood.*) It is not the case that I receive all these admonitions and heartfelt warnings with an ice-cold heart. I know well what the Missouri Synod has been to me, what Dr. Walther has been to me, and what the dear brethren (I call them brethren now) have been to me. But, Mr. President! there is something higher than all that. In spite of all that in my other nature and writing may cling to human weakness, I know it and can say it before God and men that I went into the fight from no other consideration; nothing would have driven me into it: I had to do it for God's and His church's sake. I

*) For understanding it may be mentioned here that Prof. Schmidt hereby referred to a remark of one of the previous speakers, who said: "But at these heart-breaking addresses it makes me shudder how Prof. Schmidt can write so calmly the while, as if he only wanted to gather weapons to go on fighting."