LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1917, Page 31

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Ev. Luth. Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States. 1917. 31

What has been achieved? Primarily this, that the parish school
“question has again become a very live question. All District con-
‘ventions gave much time to the consideration of the reports of their
Commissions. How fitting that we, as a General Body, sitting as
~a Jubilee Synod, should give thought to our school system! The
Christian school is a product of the Reformation. It was through
:. Luther and the Reformation that a new impetus was given to the
f command of Christ: “Feed My lambs,” even as to those other words
=. spoken to Peter: “Feed My sheep.” With what zeal did Luther
labor i in behalf of Christian schools, Christian instruction, Christian
- training! With all his other work he found time not merely to re-
‘mind the proper authorities of their duty in the matter, and to urge
the establishment and improvement of schools, but he personally
‘made a visitation of schools. In speech and print he uncovered the
shortcomings of the schools, and with rare insight and foresight he
advised the people and the rulers in this matter. How ungrateful
must we be, should we not remember this in these days! How
foolish were we to forego for the future this God-willed and God-
blessed instrument, which has been such a potent factor in causing
an unlooked-for growth of our Lutheran Church in this country!
How foolish we should be if over against our knowledge of these
facts we were not willing to make the necessary sacrifices for the
maintenance, spread, and improvement of our school system!
But are not our parish schools becoming unnecessary since our
eongregations are gradually becoming English? Now, such a ques-
tion might be in place if our schools had been established exclusively
or even primarily for the sake of the German language. But how
ean the language-question determine the necessity of an institution
that has been conducted at a great sacrifice and with much success
for the Christian instruction and Christian training of our youth?
Or who would dare to say that home conditions, the tendency of
the public school, and the public morals have become so favorable,
that the Church might well dispense with its Christian school with-'
out suffering serious loss? Your Commission is unanimous in the
_ opinion that particularly in our day do we need our Christian school
“for the education as well as training that it gives.

And since the gradual change over into English on the part of
our German congregations is no reason for letting up in: this im-
portant and necessary mission-work, it follows that congregations
“'. that already are entirely English must make adequate provision for
the Christian instruction of the lambs committed to their charge,
if they would do their full duty. And for this Sunday-schools do
not suffice. In no case can there be a substitute for the Christian
day-school. For such Scripture words as these: “Bring up your
_ children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord”; “These words