LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1920, Page 5

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Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States. 1920. 5

n idler who enjoys God’s grace and awaits the future
vity. On the contrary, a Christian is so disposed that
ithout ceasing. Such is the nature and mind ‘which

anted in Him: “Ye have not chosen Me, but I have
that ye should go and bring forth fruit.” Here the
mpares every Christian to a tree which He has planted
t.¢e., the Christian Church, and’ which He now faith-
ing about it, dunging it, pruning it, and purging it
ar fruit. Hence, while the Scriptures on the one hand
nst in any way placing our confidence in works, they,
«hand, admonish us to be diligent unto good works.
‘Good and pious works never make a good and pious
od and pious man makes good and. pious works, so
must always be good and pious before all good works,
follow and proceed from a pious and good person.”
hildren of God constantly examine themselves whether
fruits, beseeching their Lord to make them ever richer
admonishing eachother unto all good works. And this
do at the present Synod. ‘Brethren, the Lord has
that we go and bring forth fruit. As we look back on
. must accuse ourselves for not having been richer in
in our office and estate. How often, during the past
, has littleness of faith and despair laid hold of our
y much have earthly things engrossed our attention and
ur eyes from the eternal! How often have we failed
steadfastness and the true courage of confession! How
imes weary of carrying on the Lord’s work!’ Let us
is to our God, beseeching Him to give us more strength,
e we may bring forth more fruit. Now, the fruits which
especially on the tree of our Synod are these, that
preached among us in truth and purity, and that we,
Mren of God, also lead a ‘holy life according to it. Our
; therefore exercise diligence that their congregations
crease in knowledge. Congregations must be concerned
ung people receive a. thorough schooling in the sound
| that the principles of holy living, laid down in- God’s
actised in their midst, thus assuming a firm position |
nism, lodgery, worldliness, and the like, that’ they prove
be a salt in the place where they “dwell and a light
others and makes of them also blessed children of' ‘God.
pereas, during these days we are assembled as the repre-
f our congregations, God grant that we bring forth fruit
ir deliberations serve to the hallowing ‘of God’s name
Ives and other men by pure doctrine and godly living,
-kingdem come and His good and gracious will be done.

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