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LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1935, Page 6

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

6 Proceedings of Thirty-Sixth Regular Convention,

President’s Address.

VENERABLE AND BELOVED FATHERS AND BRETHREN : —

Since the founding of Synod in 1847, that is, through a period
of almost ninety years, nearly all the conventions of the Delegate
Synod as well as of the Districts have been opened by singing the
hymn “Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lerd.” Originating in the Middle
Ages, this hymn was turned into German by Luther in an improved
and expanded form; and Luther’s version, again, has been put into
English dress. This marvelous hymn is a powerful prayer addressed
to God the Holy Ghost. Singing this hymn, the Christian assembly
unites before the throne of God and fervently sues for the assistance
and guidance of the Holy Ghost for its work. When a synodical
gathering offers up this prayer-hymn in spirit and in truth before
beginning its deliberations and the strains of this hymn then reecho
in all the hearts throughout the convention period, the assembly may
confidently expect God to bless its work unto the welfare of the
Church at large and the promotion of God’s own glory.

“Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord!” So we sang again this
morning, opening Synod’s Thirty-sixth Regular Convention. In the
coming days many matters of great import will be placed before us
to be discussed and brought to a decision. It will not be taken
amiss, I am sure, if I unfold somewhat the content of our convention
hymn in the hope that my remarks may help to attune our hearts
to the proper spirit for beginning our task.

In the opening stanza we sing: —

Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord!
Be all Thy graces now outpoured

On each believer’s mind and heart;
Thy fervent love to them impart.
Lord, by the brightness of Thy light
Thou in the faith dost men unite

Of every tongue and every nation;
We therefore sing with exultation:

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

With these words we first of all make public confession of our
faith in the divine personality of the Holy Ghost, recognizing and
glorifying Him as the true and living God in the sense of the Nicene
Oreed, in which the Church confesses: “IT believe in the Holy Ghost,
the Lord and Giver of life, who proceedeth from the Father and
the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped
and glorified, who spake by the prophets.” To Him we direct our
prayer, beseeching Him to come to us and pour out the treasures of
His grace upon our minds and hearts. We can pray thus with firm
assurance because the Savior has given us the express promise that
He will send His Holy Spirit to carry out His saving work.