# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1938_S260
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

260 Publication Matters

lation. However, a subcommittee has met with representatives of
the other bodies constituting the Synodical Conference in an effort
to prepare a uniform translation of Luther’s Small Catechism. This
subcommittee will present its own report to Synod. The adoption
of the new translation would in itself necessitate the grant of addi-
tional time to make the revised Catechism agree with the new
translation.

We furthermore ask that Synod authorize your Committee to
have another proof-print sent to all pastors and teachers before its
final adoption.

The Elementary Catechism

The Elementary Catechism is in course of preparation. Since
this is an unusual book and difficult to write, we recommend that
Synod authorize a temporary edition. The reason for this is that
the book should be thoroughly tried out in schools, Sunday-schools,
and other agencies as well as in the homes before its final revision
and adoption by Synod. The book could at first be issued in in-
expensive pamphlet form, a chief part at a time, in order to get the
reactions from the field. It would be submitted in complete form
to the synodical convention in 1941 for adoption. We have no
precedent to go by. The members of our Committee feel that they
cannot pass final judgment or advise in just what form the Ele-
mentary Catechism should be written; but we do believe that a
trial edition, actually used with children, will help greatly to
establish the proper form as well as language and content. The first
draft of the first three chief parts has been made.

Respectfully submitted,
Ricuarp NetrzeL, Chairman

Committee 13 considered Memorials 604-608 and presented for
adoption the following resolutions:

1. Resolved, That Synod express its gratitude to the Catechism
Committee for its faithful and painstaking work covering a period
of nine years.

2. Resolved, That the Catechism Committee be given more
time to complete its task, as requested by the committee itself.

3. Resolved, That the Catechism Committee be empowered to
publish, and mail out, another proof-print of the projected new
Synodical Catechism or a supplement to the present report.

4. Resolved, That this report of the Catechism Committee be
mailed out not later than June, 1940.

5. Resolved, That Synod defray the expenses of the Catechism
Committee, including the cost of the proof-print and of such
meetings as may become necessary.