# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1922_S25
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

of the Ev. Luth. Synodical Conference of North America. 1922. 25

faith," 1 Pet. 5:9. And Paul calls out to us: "Above all, taking the shield of faith," Eph. 6:16.

We know from the words of our Savior that, the nearer the end of the world draws, the worse the times we go toward. Outwardly and inwardly, in economic, social and political life, in science and in art, in the ethical and religious fundamental views, the decay of an aging world appears ever more clearly. As increasing weakness of age, the decline and decay of the bodily and mental powers, indicate the near end of a person, so also the increasing dissolution of all order points to the not too distant end of the world. Here the word of our Savior applies: "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads," Luke 21:28.

What a victory, if in the present situation we do our work not fainthearted, not discouraged, but full of glad hope that our exalted Savior holds the reins firmly in his hand, and that everything must serve his glory and our salvation! That is the most glorious victory of all, for which we should constantly be on our knees before our God: the strengthening of our faith. He will also grant it to us by virtue of his promise. —

That our school should outwardly experience a time of flowering is God's affair alone. What God wants to accomplish through our testimony in the hearts of our fellow men is likewise not our affair. The victory about which we are to concern ourselves, and which God will give us, is that in all circumstances we be faithful witnesses of our Savior.

Lord, strengthen our faith! For our faith is the victory that overcometh the world. Amen.

Business Proceedings [*Geschäftsverhandlungen*].

Negro Mission [*Negermission*; the period's term].

There was laid before the convention the following

Twenty-first Report of the Commission for Negro Mission.

From July 1920 to July 1922.

This year we celebrate the golden jubilee of the Synodical Conference. On 10 July 1872, in St. John's Church at Milwaukee, Wis., belonging to the Wisconsin Synod, this Conference was founded by five orthodox Lutheran synods. In spite of all the raging and raving of the devil, in spite of the hostility of heterodox church fellowships, in spite of many faults that we have committed in our human weakness, this ecclesiastical union still exists today, after fifty years; indeed, it has become the largest Lutheran body of our country. This has been done by the Lord and is a wonder before our eyes. To him be praise, honor and thanks!