# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1890_S33
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

of the Ev. Luth. Synodical Conference of North America. 1890. 33

the constitution submitted by the said Conference, presented the following
report:

"The constitution of the Synodical Conference [*Synodalconferenz*] says, concerning the admission of church bodies: 'The whole body of the synods represented in the Synodical Conference shall decide on the admission of church bodies into the federation of the Synodical Conference, and such admission can therefore take place only by the concurring resolution of all the federated synods.' Now, on the one hand, the members of the General English Lutheran Conference belonged to the Synodical Conference even before they came together as this body, and no difference in doctrine or practice has ever appeared between them and the Synodical Conference; on the other hand, there is nevertheless an application for admission from a newly formed body constituted under a new instrument of constitution. We therefore believe we should recommend that the circumstances on both sides be met in this way: that we, the assembled representatives of the synods belonging to the Synodical Conference, resolve upon the admission of the 'General English Ev. Luth. Conference of Missouri and other States' into the federation of the Synodical Conference, as a church body that is by its constitution sincerely Lutheran and in agreement with us in doctrine and practice, and that we recommend to our synods their approval of this resolution, for its ratification.

"With all respect, submitted by the Committee

A. L. Gräbner.
A. F. Ernst.
C. Gausewitz."

Several paragraphs of the constitution of the said Conference were read out, from which its faithfully Lutheran position with regard to doctrine and practice clearly emerges, for example:

"Art. 2. This body receives the canonical books of the Old and
the New Testaments as being throughout the inspired Word of God
and the only rule and standard of doctrine and life."

"Art. 3. As a pure and faithful exhibition of the doctrines of
the Holy Scripture, this body receives the Symbolical Books of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church, contained in the Book of Concord of
the year 1580."

Art. 4. This body rejects all ecclesiastical union and coopera-
tion that is not based upon the pure Lutheran faith, such as having
mixed congregations, exchange of pulpits with non-Lutherans, open
communion, forming religious societies conjointly with sectarians,
and the like. Hence no pastor shall be received into this body, un-
less he have previously furnished due evidence of his ability to teach
and of his occupying a sound position in regard to doctrine and of