LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1917, Page 7

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Ev. Luth. Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States. 1917. 7

While all the above figures give cause for joy, let us not forget
‘that the Lord’s statistics are different from ours. Scripture says:
“Q Lord, are not Thine eyes upon the truth?” and: “The Lord
“knoweth them that are His.”

Our District SyNops.

In the past triennium 43 District synods were held, 41 in North
America and 2 in South America. One session of the Brazilian
District and all synods in North America were attended by either
the. General President or one of the General Vice-Presidents. At
all synods much time was given to doctrinal essays, in part such as
were preparatory for the celebration of the Reformation; and all
business was disposed of in a brotherly spirit. The District Presi-

dents made provision for ample discussion of the matters of the

. General Body. To the glory of God it may be said that no

separatistic spirit manifested itself in any of the many Districts,

but that by the grace of God we still are “perfectly joined together
in the same mind and in the same judgment.”

Our CoLLeces anD SEMINARIES.

The usual visits were made to our educational institutions.
These visits reveal how our gracious God has enriched and still
loves our Synod. We have about 90 professors. Not only are they
eapable and efficient, but, what is more, they all are planted squarely
on the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions, and in their
instruction keep in view the aim to train servants of the Church.
And our 2,000 students are not only a fine lot of young men, con-
sidered physically and mentally, but they also yield to the discipline
of God’s Word. And since everything human is imperfect, it goes
without saying that our institutions also have their shortcomings
and faults, and are in need of corrections and improvements. May
the Lord continue to bless our colleges and seminaries for the
“training of faithful workers’ for His vineyard!

Our Missions.

Our missions in North America, particularly the Home Mis-
sions, continue to prosper. In South America a gracious God has
* truly granted us an open door. When that missionary work is up
- for discussion, I shall give an oral report on my recent tour of
inspection in South America. Connections with our brethren of
the faith in Europe and Australia have been interrupted by the
War and have now practically ceased. Similarly our Foreign Mis-
“gion in India has suffered considerably. Our missionary work now
xtends over 1,733 stations, served by 657 pastors and a large number