Collection › LCMS Convention Proceedings (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1935 · 36th Convention, Cleveland › Page 945

LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1935, Page 945

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

Ev. Luth. Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States. 1935. 945

In conclusion we should like to point out that our present English
hymn-book is nearly twenty-five years old. It is the oldest English
hymnal now in use among the Lutheran churches of America and
Australia. In view of the many advances made in the field of English
Lutheran hymnody during the past quarter century, especially in the
field of translations and originals, the question forces itself upon us as
to whether our present hymn-book adequately meets the needs of the
Church at this time, especially of the growing generation. We fear
that for some time, owing to the inadequacy of many of our trans-
lations, the younger generation, in part at least, has not been learning
to cherish our Lutheran hymns as it should. It would be a real
calamity to our Church if this tendency were to increase and become
wide-spread. We dare not underestimate the importance of the hymn-
book in the shaping of the spiritual life of our people. Your com-
mittee therefore urges upon you to decide definitely at this Delegate
Synod to publish a new English hymn-book as soon as the material
can be prepared, which, as we have said above, will be completed
by 1938. The question of expense connected with the introduction of
a new hymnal, which is raised in some parts of Synod, can be ad-
justed by Concordia Pubishing House on the basis of exchange of old
for new at a nominal price, as has been done heretofore.

Respectfully submitted by
Tue Committee on Hymnoxtocy anp Lirurcics.
W. G. Pouack, Chairman.

On this matter Committee 18 reported: —

We recommend that Synod instruct the Committee on Hym-
nology and Liturgics to continue its commendable work along the
lines proposed in its report and that Synod at this convention resolve
to publish the new English hymn-book.

We furthermore recommend that this convention instruct the
Committee on Hymnology and Liturgics to complete its work, if pos-
sible, by 1938.

Action of Synod.

These recommendations were adopted.