# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1938_S246
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

246 Publication Matters

College at Greensboro, N.C., Pastor Buchheimer tendered his
resignation in January, 1937; he was replaced by Rev. W. Wilk.
Rev. J. G. F. Kleinhans was elected chairman, Rev. L. Buchheimer
secretary, later replaced by the undersigned. Dr. E. Seuel, as man-
ager of Concordia Publishing House, attended meetings as an
advisory member and was represented during his illness by Rev.
R.H.C. Meyer. Various individuals were called upon for advice
in individual projects. In accordance with the instructions of the
1935 Delegate Convention a set of rules and regulations was drawn
up by the Praesidium, under which the Board has endeavored to

operate. .
Function

The functions of the General Literature Board include not
merely criticism of items offered for publication but the planning
of synodical literature as a whole: “to study the needs of the
Lutheran Church, particularly the Missouri Synod, with a view to
determining what kind of literature may be required, and also, if
necessary, to select authors to undertake certain literary tasks”
(Syn. Handbk., p. 134, No. 8). Such a study was made at the outset
of the triennium, and it formed the basis of the work of the Board.
The study itself and the resultant planning emerged not merely
out of the Board’s own judgment but from the opinions of a wide
circle of clergy and laity, voiced through synodical and conference
resolutions, correspondence and private conferences, and the com-
mercial experience of Concordia Publishing House. The Board
wishes to express its appreciation of these many communications
and suggestions. In endeavoring to reconcile conflicting opinions,
it has been guided solely by the desire to serve the Church as
a whole.

In carrying out a plan for synodical literature, the Board
reviewed many manuscripts offered by authors without solicitation
or at the suggestion of conferences or other sponsors. Acceptance
or rejection of these manuscripts depended not only on intrinsic
worth but also on the extent to which these manuscripts fitted into
the general plan of synodical literature — avoided duplication of
existing publications, were available in point of cost and popularity
of style to the widest possible circle of readers, and did not conflict
with the timing on the market of comparable items. The Board
was concerned not only with the publication of items but was
desirous of directing publications into the most advantageous
channels. It is easy to print books, but they do not serve if they
are not purchased and read. Where the Board declined manu-
scripts, it did so regretfully but with the confidence that authors
working for the improvement of Synod’s readers rather than self-
publication would recognize the principles involved. ;