Collection › LCMS Convention Proceedings (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1935 · 36th Convention, Cleveland › Page 196
LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1935, Page 196

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

196 . Proceedings of Thirty-Sixth. Regular Convention,

“Dear BRETHREN IN THE LorD: —

“The undersigned committee was appointed by the President of
Synod pursuant to a resolution of the Delegate Convention of 1932.
This appointment resulted from overtures aiming. at the amalgama-
tion of the congregations of the present English District with those
of their respective geographical Districts. This committee was to
draw up reasons for an amalgamation and to take up the matter with
the English District at its next convention.

“Among reasons for an amalgamation we might mention the fol-
lowing : —

“1) An amalgamation will make for closer fraternal relations and
contacts among our pastors and result in a more closely knit synodical
body and a firmer structure of the whole organization, tending then
toward consummation in higher degree of some of the aims for which
Synod was organized and for which it conducts its work to-day.

“2) For a more unified participation in local projects, such as
city missions and young people’s work; for a closer and more effective
covering of the field and a more united defense against schism and
sectarianism; for throwing into the field in our metropolitan centers
the full weight of our forces as a united whole, with complete harmony
of interests and solidified energies,

“3) For a diffusion into wider circles of the progressive methods
in use in many of the English District churches and a quicker reali-
zation of many things for which the English District contends. It
stands to reason that the influence of men who stand for these things
will make itself felt more strongly if they exert it in the wider field.

“4) For a decided saving in money in regard to expense incurred
with relation to conventions, conferences, visitations, and the work of
mission boards and other committees. To illustrate: At a recent con-
vention of the English District only 49 lay delegates attended, while
106 congregations did not send a delegate. If every congregation had
sent its pastor and lay delegate, the total railroad fare including
Pullman would have amounted to $13,351.80. If the congregations
composing the English District had each sent their pastor and déle-
gate to the convention of the particular District in which they are
geographically located, the total fare would have amounted to
$3,334.96. Here alone a saving of $6,361.20 on railroad fare and of
$10,016.34 if Pullman fare is included. We can only guess at the sum
which is expended by pastors to attend conferences, by visitors and
officials and members of boards, in excess of what would be needed
after amalgamation takes place. The item of time required to do ‘all
this traveling would each year aggregate several years in the working-
hours of an individual. A greater loss. results for the congregations
from the inability to send a delegate, ‘because they are thus deprived
of the benefits derived from representation. at conventions.