# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1938_S253
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Publication Matters 253

Wuereas, Synod’s Publicity Director supplies us with an abun-
dant amount of such material; therefore be it

Resolved, That Synod decline the request of this memorial.

Action of Synod: This resolution was adopted.

Publication of New Hymnal

Report of the Committee on Hymnology and Liturgics
; (Separately printed Memorial 13)

Your Committee on English Hymnology and Liturgics, ap-
pointed by Dr. F. Pfotenhauer in pursuance of a resolution passed
by the Delegate Synod of 1929 and instructed to prepare a new
English hymnal, has completed its work sufficiently to be able to
present a comprehensive report at this time. As this committee’s
work has been done in conjunction with representatives of the
various sister synods in the Synodical Conference, in compliance
with the resolution of 1929, for the purpose of preparing a common
hymnal for the entire Synodical Conference, this report is really
that of the Intersynodical Committee on Hymnology and Liturgics
and will be presented by the other representatives to their respec-
tive synods in due time.

May we repeat at the outset the general guiding principles
underlying our work on the selection of hymns and hymn transla-
tions and tunes:

1. Hymns
a) Must be distinctively Christian in character.
b) Must be of intrinsic value as to form and content.

2. Translations
a) Must. be faithful renderings of the originals.
b) Must be in fluent, idiomatic English.

3. Tunes
a) Must be suited to the text.
b) Must be good church music. (Exceptions may be made in
such cases as have text and tune associated so intimately
as to be almost inseparable.)

We should further emphasize the fact that from the start your
Committee has drawn into consultation, and received the coopera-
tion of, a large number of competent men from the various synods
of the Synodical Conference. In addition, the response to our
periodical reports has been very general, and the suggestions and
criticisms that were sent in by conferences, pastors, teachers, lay-
men, and lay women have been very helpful.