# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1900_S33
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

of the Ev. Luth. Synodical Conference of North America. 1900. 33

congregational school is. One can imagine conditions, and there have in reality been such, in which the Christian church existed, grew and continued without a congregational school. But here it is rather a matter of our congregations in the present conditions, in a time when many sects and much enthusiasm come together in one heap, when gross unbelief penetrates ever more into the broad masses of the people. That in the constant struggle against these powers threatening the existence of the congregation the congregations be preserved, the prospering of the congregational school is necessary.

When we speak of the continued existence of a congregation, we have two things in view. Since a congregation consists of hearers of the Word and servants of the Word, its existence is secured only if members, hearers, are always preserved to the congregation, and if there are always people at hand who are eligible as servants of Christ and stewards of God's mysteries. Both are an object of concern for every Christian; our thesis has regard to both.

Hitherto our congregations have received many of their members through immigration. The work in Home Mission is for the most part work among immigrated Lutherans. Our new congregations, especially in the West of our country, have been formed from them; and they are the ones who in the older congregations replace the members departing through death and for other causes. Through this dispensation of God, that he has brought great crowds of Lutherans hither from the old fatherland, our congregations and their membership have been preserved outwardly. By this it is of course not denied that our congregations have also gained new members through actual mission work and have grown of themselves, and that this has perhaps happened to a far higher degree than one thinks at first glance. The influx of immigrants has, however, almost wholly ceased and will in all likelihood come to its end altogether sooner or later. Where, then, are the congregation members to come from, when the inflow from outside ceases? That this is an important question for us no one will doubt. Besides, a congregation needs not only members but members rich in knowledge, who stand at the pastor's side as helpers and governors, people who manage the administration of the congregation conscientiously and for the good of the whole, who know how to speak a good word at the right time in congregational meetings, who are equipped not only with sound common sense but also with rich Christian knowledge. Such we shall need in future days still more than in the past. Where are they to come from?

We know indeed that God's Word is always powerful and never returns empty. But we must also pursue and practice it, must work and take pains, as happens in the congregational school. Whoever has the youth, to him belongs the future; this saying holds true also of the church. If