Collection › LCMS Convention Proceedings (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1935 · 36th Convention, Cleveland › Page 232
LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1935, Page 232

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

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232 Proceedings of Thirty-Sixth Regular Convention,

chiefly .of. business men, for the purpose of acting as advisers to
the Publishing House Board and to the manager of the Publishing
House in questions affecting the literary merit and the general
expedience of items contemplated for publication (at the 1932 con-
vention Synod ruled that the Literature Board guide also the publi-
cation of periodicals). The Literature Board shares the publicational
responsibilities with the Board of Directors, which, however, has the
final authority in the premises,

In spite of the inherent overlapping of authority and respon-
sibility the two boards worked together in complete harmony. But
both boards must by the very nature of things occasionally incur the
displeasure of disappointed authors and enthusiasts, whose proposals
are not accepted. Whenever a standing board of Synod, such as
Synod’s Board of Directors or the Board of Christian Education,
initiates a publication, we do not regard ourselves as called upon
to sit in judgment or review; but we do regard ourselves as priv-
ileged to consult such boards whenever we have under consideration
an idea referring in part (or in whole) to subjects in their particular
sphere of jurisdiction. — In addition, the censorium of the St. Louis
Faculty is exercised on all items containing, or likely to contain,
religious or theological utterances, Here, too, we are enjoying har-
monious cooperation. When making acknowledgments, we must not
omit to state that Mr. Seuel regularly attended our meetings and
served us with valuable advice,

It is not necessary in this report to enumerate all the titles that
were published during the triennium, as the catalog will surely be
part of the report of the Board of Directors. But we may be par-
doned if we point with gratification to the appearance of two impor-
tant works that have long been wanted —an English compend of
doctrinal theology submitted by Dr. J. T. Mueller and a comprehen-
sive practical volume on doctrinal differentiations (symbolies), which
Professors Engelder, Graebner, Arndt, and Mayer wrote upon our
request. We have scored a phenomenal success with our new Music
Reader, of which in the short space of a year and a half the Pub-
lishing House is even now obliged to run the third large edition.

Synod commissioned us years ago with the definite task of mining
treasures out of the old German Synodalberichte and similar publica-
tions and making them available in English dress to our present-day
public. We were also commissioned to see that a history of the
Christian Church, with particular reference to our Missouri Synod,
be published. Three editions were contemplated, one for use of the
professional worker, one as a summary of the major work, for col-
leges and seminaries, and the third a short work for use in elementary
schools. Neither of these tasks has been accomplished, at least not
entirely. The first item is accompanied with difficulties that do not