# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1920_S5
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

of the Ev. Luth. Synodical Conference of North America. 1920. 5

Doctrinal Discussions.

Prof. Johann P. Meyer of the seminary at Wauwatosa delivered a *Referat* [paper read to the convention], very lively and engaging, speaking from a few notes; he has kindly supplied the following brief written summary of it:

The Struggle for Our School System.

Our school system has been exposed to violent attacks, especially since the war. Our school is decried as undemocratic; it is said to promote the class spirit. People are striving for an educational system directed by the state itself.

It lies in the nature of the case that with increasing density of population there also sets in more restriction of individual rights and a greater centralization of power. In this process the so-called inalienable rights are easily affected as well.

Among others, the rights of Christian parents with regard to the education of their children are now in danger. Here there is a fight to be fought. But if the struggle is to be crowned with victory, it must be conducted in the right spirit. "It is a good thing that the heart be established" (Heb. 13:9). Therefore the present paper is to serve above all the purpose that we reflect on the principles laid down in God's Word.

I.

In this struggle we are concerned not with external goods (particular forms, the school as such), but with the education of our children.

II.

Our school is, in aim, presupposition and means of education, diametrically opposed to the state school.

III.

Because of this essential difference our position must be that we fight in order to win (or rather perish). Compromises mean denial.

IV.

Because our school system is a cause of the Kingdom of God, God will stand mightily by us and lead the struggle to victory.

I.

Children are assigned by God to their parents; he lets them be born into a particular family. Thereby he assigns to quite particular persons the duties of father and mother toward quite particular children and lays on them the responsibility for carrying them out. Thereby