# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1975_S406 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) SPECIAL AND SUNDRY MATTERS 407 pages of text. Materials gathered have come from depositories all over the world and supplement the Institute’s resources, enabling the user to consult more materials in a single location without having to travel all over the world for them. A byproduct of this program has been the production of a bibliography of Lutheran periodicals issued in America. Some 3,000 titles are included. 3. Acquisitions: The Institute has made special efforts to acquire a set of all documents and periodicals relating to the current controversy in the Synod. This often has not been easy. Sometimes we have not found out about certain publications, especially on the local or regional level. until long after their first appearance. It should be noted, however, that excellent cooperation has been shown in depositing such materials which future researchers will welcome. 4. Publications: The primary publication of the Institute is the Concordia Historical Institute Quarterly. now in its 48th year. This journal is the only one in the United States devoted to the history of Lutheranism in North America. It is also one of the oldest denominational historical publications in the United States. But even more noteworthy is that it is self-sustaining, whereas many other such journals require heavy denomina- tional subsidy. Frederick Nohl served as acting editor during 1973. Since January 1974 Ronald J. Schlegel has been serving in that capacity. Other Institute publications include ‘‘Historical Footnotes” (a newsletter for members), “The Regional Archi- vist” (a newsletter on archival techniques) especially for District archivists, and a series of how to bulletins on a wide variety of subjects. Samples of these publications are available on request. 5. Catalogs and Indexes: To make the Institute’s collections of manuscripts and archives usable by researchers and staff, a continuous program of preparing inventories and indexes is carried on. Some of the special collections for which catalogs exist are museum artifacts, coins, medals, Bibles, hymnals, devotional literature, and microfilm. Inventories have been prepared on 172 separate manuscript collections, with an additional 30 nearing completion. Some 190 collections have been reported to the Library of Congress and are included in the National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections. Such indexes and inventories save many hours in getting at a specific source, 6. Transcription: A growing problem in Lutheran historical research is the large amount of primary source material avail- able only in handwritten German Gothic form. The number of people who can still read this script is diminishing rapidly. Under a project initially funded by the Aid Association for Lutherans, some 500 letters by C. F. W. Walther and about an equal number of letters written to him have been transcribed into typewritten German. In addition, the collection of the official opinions, or Gutachten. of the Concordia Seminary (St. Louis) faculty have also been transcribed. Volunteers have helped continue this work on smaller collections. But thousands of pages still remain! It is hoped that both funding for additional work and a larger number of volunteers can be obtained in the future. 7. Saxon Lutheran Memorial: Operated by the Institute and serving several thousand visitors annually, the Saxon Lutheran Memoria! consists of a restored log cabin and several additional buildings at Frohna, Mo., which once served as parsonage and school building for the Saxon immigrant congregation. The displays of early household furnishings and farm equipment help each new generation to see and appreciate the heritage of the Synod’s founders. 8. Used Book Service: The Institute makes available to interested persons hundreds of books no longer available through normal channels. From the many collections of books received, those not needed to complete the Institute’s holdings are offered for sale. Libraries of retired pastors and teachers, their widows and families are thus recycled for use by another generation in the church. The steady stream of requests for out-of-print materials demonstrates that this project fills a‘real need and provides an important service. The writings of church leaders of previous generations are often available. 9. Museum Extension Service: Through loans of resources gathered from the Synod’s overseas missions, the Institute helps congregations and other groups develop exhibits for “mission fairs.” Such special kits are available for the following countries: Brazil, Central America,. Formosa, Hong Kong, India, Japan. Korea, New Guinea, Nigeria, Venezuela, and the Philippines. Congregations, circuits, and schools may obtain such kits though the mail at modest rental fees. Awards During the biennium the Institute initiated an awards pro- gram designed to recognize important contributions to the futherance of Lutheran achives and history and to encourage individuals and organizations to prepare and preserve signifi- cant historical materials. The major award, the Col. Koch Luther Medal. is given to individuals who have rendered extraordinary services to Lu- theran history and archives. Only two may be granted in 1 year. The first two such awards were granted in 1972 to CarlS. Meyer, former professor at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and to the late Theodore G. Tappert. former professor at the Lutheran Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. No awards were made in 1973 because no individual met the stringent criteria. Recipients of this award receive a replica of a medal in the Institute’s collection, believed to have been issued in 1546 at the time of Martin Luther's death. No other examples of the medal are known to exist. A second category of awards seeks to recognize individuals and organizations who have significantly contributed to the .development of Lutheran history and archives. During the past 2 years. 21 persons and agencies have received such awards. Historical- Archival Relationships The Synod functions through a decentralized archival- historical structure, with the Institute in the center. Each of the Districts has established its archives, some dating back as far as the 1850s. The synodical colleges and seminaries have appointed individuals to serve as institutional archivists, and a growing number of congregations are appointing parish archivists. Through its service program and technical assistance the Institute renders support and coordination of the entire struc- ture. Biennial conferences and workshops (which attract partici- pation also from other American church bodies) are conducted biennially. The 13th in this series is planned for St. Louis in the fall of 1975. The Institute served as host for the seventh biennial meeting of the Lutheran Historical Conference in 1974. The conference is an inter-Lutheran association of historians, archivists, and librarians. Institute director Aug. R. Suelflow was elected to his third consecutive 2-year term as president. The Institute has also served as a resource to two ad hoc anniversary committees: the Committee on the American Bicentennial and the Committee for the Black Centennial. Both of these committees were established by the 1973 New Orleans convention and will render separate reports. Board of Governors and Staff The policies goyerning the Institute are established by the board of governors, which is ‘responsible and accountable to the Synod for all transactions and decisions in accordance with the provisions of its corporate charter and bylaws” (Bylaw 15.41). Members are Gerhardt Kramer (president), Otto A. Dorn (vice-president), Frederick Nohl (secretary), Harry L. Smith (treasurer), Alfred Buls. William A. Kramer, Pauline Kolb (advisory), Herbert Mueller (advisory), Gilbert T. Otte, Carl J. Stapf, Lando C. Ott, and Eldon Weisheit. The full-time staff consists of the director, Aug. R. Suelflow: a reference and research assistant, Marvin A. Huggins; two office secretaries; a financial secretary: and a receptionist. Nine seminarians work part-time in specialized and technical areas. In addition-to the board and staff, the Institute receives counsel and advice from 19 individuals through the following working committees: Historical Studies and Resources, Edu- cational Advisory, Parish Records, Promotion, and Ethnic Archives and History. Anniversaries The following significant anniversaries to be observed in the next biennium will be of interest to the members of the conven- tion and others: 1. The 150th anniversary of the birth of Indian missionary E. G. H. Miessler (1976).