# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1908_S39
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

of the Ev. Luth. Synodical Conference of North America. 1908. 39

Business Proceedings.

I. Admissions.

Concerning the admission, resolved at the previous convention, of the Ev. Luth. District Synod of Nebraska and Other States, as well as of the Slovak Evangelical A. C. Synod of Pennsylvania, favorable resolutions were reported from all the affiliated synods except the Rev. Wisconsin Synod. — It was resolved to carry out the admission of the two synods named, on the condition that the Rev. Wisconsin Synod subsequently ratify this admission.

II. Negro Mission.

The following report of the Commission for the *Negermission* [mission among African Americans; the period's term "Negro Mission"] was read:

Report of the Commission for the Negro Mission for the period from August 1906 to August 1908.

"And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd," John 10:16. Like a pearl in a golden setting, the whole work of missions is contained in these words of the Lord Jesus. 1. First it is said in them who carries on the work of missions. Nowadays one reads so much in the church papers of our country, especially in the mission periodicals, to the effect that our nation is the bearer, chosen by God, of a higher, sanctified civilization to all the peoples of the globe. It also often happens among ourselves that when we speak of missions we think chiefly of ourselves, of our arrangements, our work, our gifts and sacrifices. In carrying on missions we easily look too much to men. The Lord says: I must bring the sheep. Yes, the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. The work of missions is his work. All missions that he does not carry on are no true mission, none pleasing to God.

2. Further we see from these words on whom missions are to be carried on. "Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold." Before this the Lord had spoken of sheep of whom he says: "I know my sheep, and am known of mine." He had gathered a church for himself out of Israel, his believing disciples. The other sheep, which are not of this fold, not of Israel, are all other people, the heathen, who are still far from the kingdom of God. It is very bad with these sheep. They are straying sheep. They are not with the shepherd. They wander about in the wilderness of this world. They are entangled in the thorns of the wilderness, the sins