LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1917, Page 5

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Ev. Luth. Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States. 1917. 5

“tal what will, even “heaven and earth. For ‘there is none other
me given among men whereby we must be saved,’ as St. Paul says,
ts 4,12; and, ‘By His stripes we are healed,’ Is. 53, 5. On this -
ticle rests all that we teach and practise against the Pope, the
evil, and the world. Hence we must be very sure on this point and
have no doubts, else all is lost, and Pope and devil, and whatever
poses us, will carry off the victory.”
Now our Synod, by the unmerited grace of God, is in full pos-
ssion of the treasures of the Reformation. Therefore it is meet
id right that we in this Jubilee year bring a special thank-offering
=God with hearts and hands and voices, and that we also have
bile services in connection with this Convention. Of course, our
ebrations must be conducted in a proper manner. On the one
, we may not in pride lift ourselves above others who have not
so highly favored as we. On the other hand, we must not aim
aking a show of big numbers and at gaining more recognition
he world, and to that end make common cause with those who
¢ not inwardly united with us. We recall how it was the three-
undredth anniversary of the Reformation, in 1817, which gave
Secasion for undermining the Lutheran Church in the German coun-
es, when Frederick William III, King of Prussia, brought about
k union of the Reformed and Lutheran Churches. -Also in our
jand voices are heard saying that on the occasion of this Jubilee
ere should be union; at any rate all synods having the name
Lutheran should cooperate fraternally, irrespective of existing dif-
rences. God grant that our whole Synod and our individual con-
egations steadfastly resist all such temptations, in order that our
ebration may be a clear and ringing confession of the full and
fallible truth of the divine Word, and that we be encouraged anew
etain undiminished the heritage of the fathers, to defend it
ainst all attacks, and to deliver it intact to our children. If this
be done, then our church-papers and other publications must
rmore sound forth the clear note, that men may know what we
eve and teach. Then our professors in our educational institu-
must let the Scriptures be the only sun to illuminate their
structions. Then our pastors and teachers must quietly and faith-
ly, put forth all diligence to train up in church and school a people
-in knowledge, established in the Scriptures, and rejoicing in the