# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1941_S434
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

434 Two Radio Addresses

to bear witness to the truth as the truth is revealed in the Holy
Scriptures. To the members of the Synod the Bible is the verbally
inspired and inerrant Word of God, and to the proclamation of
this truth they are dedicating themselves afresh in this Fort Wayne
Convention. Emblazoned upon their banners is the truth that
“God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself.” And
for the propagation of this truth these Lutherans are prepared to
lay down their lives.

One of the outstanding members of the Missouri Lutheran. .
Synod is William S. Knudsen, Director of the Office of Production
Management. In a message to the Convention, read by his pastor, F
the Rev. Mr. E. T. Bernthal of the Lutheran Church of Epiphany.
of Detroit, Mr. Knudsen called upon his fellow-Lutherans to give
their full and unqualified support to the defense program of the
nation. Said Mr. Knudsen: “The right to live in freedom and the
right to work and to worship the Lord are all-important, and these
rights are threatened today unless we are willing to work for
them.” “Let us pray,” urged Mr. Knudsen, “that we may have
strength and fortitude enough to work together to preserve these
principles.” “Democracy and freedom,” he added, “are worth
every sacrifice we may be asked to retain them both.”

I might point out in this connection that the Missouri Synod _
is following what it sincerely believes to be the teachings of the
Bible, to preach and practice the Gospel that loyal citizens should
work for peace, and that in times of national and international
crisis all loyal citizens should support and obey their government.
In support of this conception of national duty President Behnken
quoted a statement of Carl Ferdinand Wilhelm Walther, one of
the early founders and leaders of the Missouri Synod. In this
statement Dr. Walther said: “Let us as citizens of this country
labor for the preservation of its freedom, manfully fight for it, and,
if necessary, willingly shed our blood for it.” “Let us be ready to
do all this,” Dr. Walther was quoted as saying, “particularly also
for the preservation of this golden crown of its free institutions —
religious liberty. Let us do on our part everything that it may
‘remain a refuge for all who are persecuted by reason of their
religion among all nations of the earth.”

The business of this Convention is run in strict harmony with
democratic principles. The Synod is composed chiefly of voting
congregations, although pastors and teachers and officials not
representing congregations are recognized as advisory members,
without a vote. The votes are equally distributed among pastors
and laymen. Every member of the Convention has the right to
express-his opinion before a vote is taken. And I can assure you
that these Lutherans never have to be coaxed to exercise their
rights in this respect.

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