# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1904_S49
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

of the Ev. Luth. Synodical Conference of North America. 1904. 49

that they might stay with us; but since they will not, we must let them go too, and not let our treasure be spoiled for their sake, or be trodden down by them." (St. Louis Edition VII, 598 ff. § 40. 44.) —

And now a word in conclusion. I mean a word that many a one, who sighs under the burden of the lodge cross, utters: "If I seriously began the lodge struggle in my congregation, everything would go topsy-turvy!"

Would it? That is only what the understanding says, what little faith says, which forgets:

Art thou not the ruler, then,
Who is to guide all things?
God sits in the government
And guides all things well.

Oh yes, it may come to that, that the devil threatens to work great ruin, but we are Lutherans, who say:

And were the world with devils filled
And ready to devour us,
We would not fear so very much,
We still shall prosper!

And if fear still comes, when we see that the tumult of the sea rises and the little ship of the Church is covered with waves, so that it is sinking, we are still disciples of the LORD, who can then cry: "LORD, save us, we perish!" We are his dearly redeemed, for whom he, for the sake of his Word, his Zion, since the city of God is nevertheless to remain cheerful, must lift his arm and rebuke wind and sea. Then it will be quite still.

It is not the struggle against the lodge system, willed according to God's Word and conducted in God's Spirit, that can cause harm, but only the devil. Against him we can accomplish nothing. Therefore only do not look at ourselves, but only at him who once came to destroy the works of Satan.

With our own might nothing is done,
We are soon lost.
The right Man fights for us,
Whom God himself has chosen.
Dost thou ask who he is?
He is called JESUS Christ,
The LORD Zebaoth,
And there is no other God,
He must hold the field.

Yes, He! And therefore with him! To him we may say:
The cause is thine, LORD JESUS Christ,
The cause in which we stand,
And since it is thy cause,
It cannot go under.

In trust in him, in right zeal for the honor of his name and kingdom, we can fight the lodge struggle and by God's grace keep the victory. Amen. —