# Lehre und Wehre_St. Louis Missouri_September 1863_S281
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Report of the Sixth Regular Synodical Assembly of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church. 281

In the deliberation and resolution of these so important points of doctrine and matters, may the Lord stand by us with wisdom and grace!

As for the conduct of the church council's office, and my own as president of the synod and of the church council, various minutes lie before the synod for review. It goes without saying that this must be done by a committee specially elected for the purpose, since various matters are discussed that are not fit for publicity.

In the course of the year I have held visitation in the following congregations: in the four congregations served by Pastor Duborg at Walworth Co., Wisc.; in the congregations at Norwegian Ridge and Newburg, Minn., served by Pastor F. C. Clausen; in the St. Olaf's congregation at Olmstead Co., Minn., served by Pastor Steen; in the congregations at Jefferson, Long Prairie, Rock Run, Rock Prairie, Wisc., served by Pastor Magelsen, and in the congregations at Painted Creek, Clairmont, and Norway, Ia., served by Pastor Hjort. As regards the condition of the congregations I have visited, I have already spoken of it in general above in my report. The preachers of these congregations are for the most part young men in office; we may confidently hope that, with more exact knowledge of our circumstances and of the need and distress of the congregations, and with the rich experience they gain daily, they will receive grace to apply, with ever greater fidelity and competence toward the edification of the congregations and the growth of our fellowship, the talent of powers and gifts entrusted to each one. The sermons I have heard or read testify to an evangelical spirit. I was also present, besides, at the meetings of the church council and at the school examination held at the seminary in Decorah, likewise at the western district preachers' conference at Decorah in February and at the eastern one at Rock Prairie in April, as well as at the general preachers' conference at Koshkonong in October. Finally, I have asked Pastor Koren to visit the congregations of Pastor Jensen, and Pastor Ottesen those of Pastor Björn at Manitowoc, Wisc.

These conferences, I may say, are of extraordinary benefit to the teachers of the church and consequently to their congregations. If the Lord lets his Spirit of grace rest more and more upon these gatherings, we shall not only gain much encouragement and strengthening from them, but shall also grow to a clearer knowledge of divine truths and be powerfully driven to greater earnestness and zeal in our holy work. And when neighboring preachers can gather, now with one and now with another of their congregations, for public deliberations, experience has taught that this too contributes greatly to general edification and instruction.

So I have, in closing, spoken of one part of my activity as president of the synod. I believe that it, for the need