# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1935_S204
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Ev. Luth. Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States. 1935. 193

The amount of property owned by Synod in India, China, South
America, and Canada is considerable, and the question of Synod’s
legal status and rights merits serious thought. How to meet and
solve this question your Committee is not now prepared to say, but
will only point out that the property in the name and under the
control of the Foreign Mission Board may require the creation of
a new legal status for the Foreign Mission Board, so as to secure the
proper legal recognition in foreign countries. Other denominations
have frequently created separate corporations to act as the agent for
the general body.
IV.

The assembling and arranging of records of all the institutions
by Mr. Horst has simplified the study of this whole question. From
these records it was apparent that certain additional things should
be done.

First, the title to the property of each institution should be
examined by a competent local attorney so as definitely to determine
the condition of Synod’s title. It appears, for instance, that in the
case of two institutions, Springfield and St. John’s, the heirs of the
previous grantors have certain reversionary interests.

Secondly, the legal status of each institution under the law of
the State where it is located in relation to Synod should be deter-
mined and clarified, especially as to the title of Synod in the lands,
its rights and duties under the law as a foreign corporation.

V.

Because all the foregoing questions involve many legal com-
plications, it is the definite recommendation of your Committee that
this whole matter be referred to the Board of Directors with power to
act in the best interests of Synod as in the Board’s judgment and
further study of the question will dictate. The Board should be en-
abled to take all the necessary steps and to secure the necessary com-
petent advice in carrying out the resolution.

Respectfully submitted,

Eucene WenGeErtT, Chairman.
Martin H. Luroxse. E. ScHNEDLER.

Concerning this matter Committee 15 reported: —
In the year 1932 Synod passed the following resolution : —

“Resolved, That the President of Synod be requested to appoint
a committee to examine into the legality and advantages or dis-
advantages of separate incorporations or charters of institutions,
boards, and Districts within the Synod and that this committee be
requested to report its findings to the next convention of Synod.”
According ‘to the report of the Board of Directors, found in
Memorial 403, p. 157 ff., it appears that Synod has in the matter of
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