Collection › LCMS Convention Proceedings (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1935 · 36th Convention, Cleveland › Page 197
LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1935, Page 197

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

Ev. Luth. Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States. 1935. 197

“5) For a more unified general missionary policy. A unified policy
is made difficult and might even be hindered by the presence of
a second District in the field. In this connection it might be pointed
out that at its last convention, Synod transferred all missions in
America, except the Deaf-mute Missions, to the boards of local
Districts. This was done for. the obvious reason that the work can
be done more effectively under the supervision of men who are familiar
with the field than by the creation of a few subboards to cover a-na-
tional territory. The English District now stands alone in its en-
deavor to do work from coast to coast through a board that must find
it humanly impossible to familiarize itself sufficiently with the
vast field.

“The Committee’s Proposal.

“The historical reason for the existence of the English District
is the language. As this reason for a separate organization is becom-
ing steadily weaker, the demands for an amalgamation are becoming
stronger. Every fair-minded person will appreciate that the dissolu-
tion of the English District would involve for its constituents the
giving up of many things that have become dear to them. It is only
right and fair that the advocates of an amalgamation be willing also
to make concessions and sacrifices that may be necessary to make such
an amalgamation practical and possible. We therefore submit to the
English District the following proposal: —

“That the English District give careful consideration to the
reasons for an amalgamation and advantages growing therefrom;
that the English District state the conditions which it deems necessary
for an amalgamation, these conditions to set forth what are the re-
quirements of its congregations as to the use of the English language
in the conduct of conventions and other intercongregational func-
tions; that these conditions be submitted to every District in whose
geographical boundaries congregations of. the English District are
located at its next convention, in 1933 if possible, should the District
not have met, otherwise in 1984. Having ascertained the sentiment of
the other Districts, the English District is to take action at its 1934
convention, for report to Synod in 1935;

“That the English District appoint a standing committee with
which.the undersigned could deal further in this. matter. -— —

“Your Committee believes that it is acting in full harmony with
the principles established by Synod. In 1911, when the English Synod
became the English District, the first point of the articles of agreement
read: ‘Resolved that we regard it as most expedient and as most salu-
tary for both parties to this union if individual congregations of the
English Synod join the respective District of our Synod and that we
entertain the hope that this end may. be reached in the very near
future’ In 1923 Synod passed the following resolutions: ‘Since all