# Lehre und Wehre_St. Louis Missouri_October 1864_S304
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

304    Two Documents from the Prussian Lutheran Church.

numbers are small, yet we have added up the number of souls of our congregations and found it to exceed 5000. Our declaration was to be attached to the letter to the Minister. With regard to the Liegnitz congregation it was noted how its pastor thankfully acknowledges that the advantages of the general concession have not so far been withdrawn from him.

Earlier already the name Immanuel Synod had been proposed for our synod, but objections had been raised at that time against this name. On renewed consideration, however, this name recommended itself, because it seemed preferable to one taken from a place or a territory. The designation Free Evangelical Lutheran Synod had also been proposed, and perhaps the full name Free Evangelical Lutheran Immanuel Synod will become established usage.

That the pastors Ehlers and Diedrich were elected to the synodical board is likewise stated in the declaration (only this may be noted further here, that it was emphasized that, should either of these two pastors gather together a portion of the remaining pastors — say, those living nearest to him — for a conference, this should not be understood as contrary to the unity of the synodical body). But there was also discussion of establishing a synodical treasury, since expenses will foreseeably have to be made on the part of the synod — for example, pastors who have to travel far to the synodical location will be in need of support toward defraying travel costs. Further, other travel costs can arise, for example when a congregation, owing to pressing circumstances, requests a special visitation and is too poor to raise the costs. Further, travel costs in serving congregations whose pastorate has fallen vacant. Further, covering postage costs incurred in the interest of the synodical whole. The private citizen Matthes of Rogasen was appointed treasurer, who also declared himself willing to take on this office." Räthjen says in his church newspaper: "Since similar unions can exist and form alongside us, we wish to attach to it as general a surname as possible, and to call ourselves henceforth the 'Free Lutheran Immanuel Synod.'" Of the third day of session Ehlers further reports the following: "On Thursday the declaration discussed the day before was again laid before the assembly and subsequently signed. But the assembly was on this day especially stirred by a question concerning the Magdeburg congregation, namely who would take the place of the late Pastor Wolf, so dearly and warmly beloved by the congregation. Already at our previous year's synod at Neu-Ruppin we had not rightly known where to direct our mission contributions; the proposal made today, that they should flow to the Lauenburg Mission Society, at the head of which stand the pastors Genzken (in Schwarzenbeck) and Moraht (in Mölln), met with general approval.

Whether Pastor Witte would again take up activity in our congregations remained uncertain.