# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1944_S160
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

sistance,

160, _ Missions

synodical Mission Boards.. We need their counsel and their as-

. Looking at the present-day responsibilities ‘of the various Dis-
trict and synodical Mission Boards and the problems before: them,
and visualizing the immediate future and. the challenge of the
postwar era with the mission possibilities under changed condi-
tions, we need men of sound judgment, men of vision, men of
courage, to do'great things for the Lord. —

Missions and Our Relation to the Political World and Others, —
The past ‘triennium has been a time of peace and tranquillity
for our Church and its mission in our country. No adverse legisla-
tion has hindered or halted the progress of the work of the Church.
Hardly ever did our Church draw closer to the political world than
now. Officials and representatives of our Church, being invited to
_ appear before committees of. varied interests of the Government in
matters in which we, too, as a Church are vitally interested, had
the wonderful opportunity to testify of the faith that is within us,
to present our viewpoint on important issues, such as the separation
of Church and State, on education ‘and our care for the children

through Christian day schools, on the youth problem and on our -

youth organization, on the spiritual service rendered to men in the

. defense projects, to men in the armed forces through the chap-
laincies and the service centers, And since other denominations
‘were also present at these joint meetings, necessity demanded at
times to give clear-cut declarations of Lutheran and Scriptural
principles. ;

Our work done in the defense Projects, in the service centers,
in the chaplaincies in the armed forces, in the preservation of the
youth, evoked the praises of the authorities. For the peace we

enjoy in this time of stress and for the good will and praise given
us we are grateful to the Lord. And as law-abiding citizens we
shall ever seek the best interests of the country and endeavor to
merit continued confidence in us. Yet, after all, the purpose and
aim of our endeavors cannot chiefly be to please men, to create’
good will between us and the outside world at home, and to estab-
lish better relations between the nations of the earth, not chiefly
social betterment, not chiefly relief in bodily need; in short, our
chief aims cannot be centered on external matters. Our chief.
-. purpose must ever be the salvation of souls, the preaching of the
‘Gospel (evangelization) and teaching the young (Christian educ
cation). And as soon as we enter upon. this program, and fear~
lessly confess Christ, the Scriptures, and the faith that is within ‘us,
explain our doctrinal position and with’ determination adhere to