Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1969 · 48th Convention › Page 433
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1969, Page 433

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

SPECIAL MINISTRIES AND SUNDRY MATTERS 433

and committees regularly transfer materials to the In-
stitute. During the past biennium these amounted to
more than 150,000 items. As a result, the actual acqui-
sition of materials by purchase is extremely nominal.
We report the following accessions over the past two
decades:

1948 ____---_ 1,324 1963 164,918
1953 _______ 7,871 1967 _____--_ 68,360
1958 ______—_ 41,486 1968 ____ 82,258

We are most grateful to so many for having con-
tributed so much valuable material. Generations still
to come will be even more expressive of their appre-
ciation and gratitude for the preservation of such volu-
minous vital sources.

We would, however, like to point out that a myth
seems to have persisted in recent years, namely that
archival-historical concerns and interests are of a fairly
recent origin in the Missouri Synod. As already stated,
archives were established by the Missouri Synod in
1847, and even prior to that time both the Saxon immi-
grants (1838—39) and the Franconians in the Saginaw
Valley of Michigan (1840s), all antedating the organiza-
tion of the Synod, provided an excellent set of docu-
ments and records. In the case of the Saxon Immigra-
tion particularly, it is interesting to note that the Cura-
tor of the Royal Saxon Archives, Mr. C. E. Vehse, was
especially involved in archival-historical work prior to
1847. Another interesting element dating back to 1850
is recorded in the synodical
Namely, at that time the synodical archivist petitioned
the convention to destroy certain types of “Maculatur”
or “junk.” The 1850 convention minutes duly record
that the “trash” that had accumulated in the synodical
archives was to be burned in the presence of the Fort
Wayne Pastoral Conference. Note that this was by
official resolution! (Missouri Synod Proceedings. 1850.
p. 41)

Because of our extensive collections, we would ask:

1. Could any of the recent histories dealing with any
phase of the Missouri Synod have been written without
the Institute’s collections?

2. Could anyone take an adequate look at Missouri’s
intersynodical relationships and theological principals
without these resources?

3. Could any statistical analysis and projections be
made for the Synod covering a longer period of time?

4. Could any measurements be made with respect to
the Synod’s activities in missions. stewardship. educa-
tion, and other areas if it were impossible to look back
on ancient records in order to prepare more adequately
for the future?

5. Could any extensive biographical studies be at-
tempted?

6. How difficult would it be to focus special attention
on various problem areas in the Synod without having
the ability to consult the records of the past?

Record keeping today is no longer a matter of en-
gaging someone at the fag end of the day and requir-

convention minutes. |

ing him to keep an eye ona stack of file folders, or even
tenderly dusting off old record books occasionally. Pres-
ent preservation techniques and retrieval responsibilities
require professional treatment. Merely think of lamina-
tion and photoduplication techniques, restoration and
preservation requirements, binding, collating, fumigat-
ing, and a host of other processes. One of our congrega-
tions recently took pride in its rather large collection of
historical materials preserved in a basement storage
closet. When an anniversary came up and the custo-
dian in charge of the archives wanted to haul out the
“booty of the ages,” he found that termites had totally
destroyed the entire collection going back almost 120
years. Everything was lost in spite of good intentions.
More than dead storage was needed!

Services

It would add unduly to the length of this report if
the various types of services rendered by the Institute
would be listed individually. Basically, however, the
services fall into two categories:

1. Aiding and assisting reference and research work-
ers in finding and utilizing the historical data on deposit;

2. Advising, counseling, and assisting in establishing
and maintaining archival-historical work.

Since the New York convention close to 50,000 ser-
vices of various types have been performed. These
range from the federal and state governments to other
denominations, amateur historians, agencies, organiza-
tions, and individuals.

Reference and research services since 1948, when the
first such records were kept. indicate an increase of
several thousands annually:

1948 2,750 1963 _____.-__ 6,969
1953 ______ 5,000 1967 24,360
1958 _______. 17,000 1968 29,000

Requests for such services come by mail, by phone,
and through personal visits. Request letters have ex-
ceeded 3,500 during 1967 and 1968, requiring the pro-
duction of about 15 letters per day. Much research often
is required before a letter can even be answered. Re-
quests range from the production of bibliographies and
for biographical data to the search for data on the his-
torical development of certain projects, agencies, and
theological formulations. Bibliographical information
sought on old Bibles, hymnals, and devotional literature
continues at an all-time high.

Our “Museum Extension Service” continues to be
popular. We make available religious and cultural ob-
jects and resources from the foreign mission fields to
communities for “mission fairs” and other mission
emphases. Some 60 mission kits are available, covering
13 mission fields. Most of the kits are in constant use.
A nominal service charge is made for handling and
mailing.

The Concordia Historical Institute Quarterly fills a
unique role not only for the Synod but for all Luther-
anism in America, since it is the only journal published
in our country for the study of the history of our church.
It has been capably edited by Dr. Carl S. Meyer and is