# Lehre und Wehre_St. Louis Missouri_September 1863_S272
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

272 Report of the Sixth Regular Synodical Convention of the Norwegian-Evangelical-Lutheran Church.

The names of the advisory ministers, of whom, however, the first 5 became voting members in the course of the sessions, are:
O. J. Hiort, Pastor of Painted Creek and the congregations belonging thereto in Iowa.
J. C. Frich, „ „ La Crosse Co. „ „ „ „ „ Wis.
J. Krohn, „ „ Chicago „ „ „ „ „ Ill.
P. A. Rasmusen, „ „ Lisbon „ „ „ „ „ „
J. N. Field, „ „ Vermont „ „ „ „ „ Wis.
Th. Johnson, „ „ Nicolett Co. „ „ „ „ „ Minn.
A. Mikkelsen, „ „ Waupacca „ „ „ „ „ Wis.
O. J. K. Hagestad, „ „ Rush River „ „ „ „ „ „

Let us now first let the excellent synodical address and report of the Rev. President of the synod, the Rev. Past. H. A. Preus, follow in literal translation, with the exception of a few particulars and the minutes that were read aloud. It gives a precise overview and insight into the circumstances and the condition of the beloved sister synod, and reads as follows:

Beloved brethren in the faith and in the ministry!

Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ! It is a peculiarly great grace that the Lord has again granted us, in these so troubled and warlike times, to assemble here, to enjoy the blessing of brotherly fellowship through mutual instruction, admonition, encouragement, and strengthening. The more we must suffer outward affliction and be inwardly surrounded by anguish — the more especially we teachers of the church need grace in order to meet the demands of our holy office, and are very often as it were pressed to the ground by the heavy burden that lies upon our weak shoulders — the more fervently we would thank the Lord that he has granted us such refreshment and strengthening through this gathering, in which he himself, the Lord, has promised to be present with his divine power, wisdom, and grace; the more heartily we would also ask him to bless this our gathering, to grant us that we may be firmly united in one mind and in the same judgment, and speak the same word also, that there be no division among us and that we do nothing through strife or vainglory, but that through humility each esteem the other better than himself (1 Cor. 1:10; Phil. 2:3). Yes, may the merciful God grant us that in all we think, speak, or do, we seek only his honor in the edifying of the congregations and do only the Lord's good pleasure. May he prevent all evil counsel and every ungodly undertaking by which God's kingdom is hindered from coming to us, such as the will of the devil, of the world, and of our own flesh; but may he strengthen and keep us in his Word and faith until our end. Amen.

Dear brethren! It falls to me, as to my predecessor, to render you a report on the state of our church fellowship