# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1888_S33
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

of the Ev. Luth. Synodical Conference of North America. 1888. 33

in all articles of the doctrine given to us in God's Word? If we were, in unionistic fashion, to give up this or that doctrine of God's Word, if we were, under the pretext of having to let love prevail, to grant errors in doctrine the right of domicile among us, then, with all outward standing together and working together, a counterfeit of the unity God wills would take its place. The unity in faith is threatened to the utmost as soon as indifference toward false doctrine creeps in. And it is destroyed at once as soon as a part accepts and holds to false doctrine. Therefore we must not forget what the Constitution of the Synodical Conference [*Synodalconferenz*] also names as its purpose and aim: "mutual strengthening in faith and confession," "promotion of unity in doctrine and practice." That is done when each takes heed first of himself, that he remain in all points with God's Word, and then also in brotherly love looks to his fellow believers, whether their doctrine and practice agree with God's Word. For that reason alone we ought to preserve this outward bond of the Synodical Conference, so that we may strengthen one another in the right, united faith. The unity of faith, as God has given it to us, is very rare in the world. Therefore we ought to cultivate it with all means given by God and most carefully. Here the following citation from a sermon of the late Dr. Walther was read: "But if we want our jewel to be preserved for us, then everyone in his station and calling must lend a hand to the work, and all our church institutions must help. You fathers and mothers must already lay the foundation in your own house, and early instill in your children pure doctrine and knowledge and heartfelt love of them, as well as dread of all false doctrine. You schoolteachers, however, must faithfully continue this work of the home in your schools or, where it has not yet been begun, begin it with all the more burning zeal, and so prove yourselves not hindrances but true helpers of the holy ministry of preaching. You preachers must not be content with giving what you happen to have, but at the same time must persevere day and night in reading and study, in order to become ever richer in doctrine and knowledge, ever more powerful in refuting error, and at the same time ever more fervent in the work of the Lord. Consider: every standing still is here a going backward; no longer to grow is here to die. We professors at our institutions for the training of servants in school and church must unceasingly think about making our institutions into true schools of the prophets and into high lighthouses of the land, in which rather everything else may be lacking, only not the light of the pure doctrine of the apostles and prophets. Our Gymnasium [classical preparatory school] must already prepare for this with the highest earnestness. For this we must also ever more carefully and zealously buy up the time [make the most of] our pastoral conferences and synods. To this end our periodicals and in general the means of the press that is at our disposal must be with