# Der Lutheraner_St. Louis Missouri_1855 07 03_S180
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

180

confidence in the men of the preliminary meeting, as it seems, and therefore a letter was written, as it were in its name, about an affair of which it had not itself actually taken cognizance.

So much for the correction. Now my explanation.

Far from the distance having worked to the injury of my conviction and love, both have been only strengthened in consequence. The darkness first truly shows the excellence of the light. The contrast teaches one to grasp the recognized truth the more firmly and to love it. So it is also here. — Moreover, be it known that I reject with my whole heart, and by God's grace shall reject, a doctrine according to which a congregation is bound to obedience to its pastor in all things that are not against God's Word, with all its manifold consequences in doctrine as in practice, until all error shall be judged and done away for ever together with this one.

And herewith I greet from my heart the dear brethren of our Synodical connection. I say our, because in spirit, in faith and in love I still gladly count myself with them, even though seas and deserts separate us. But may the LORD soon tread Satan under our feet, keep fast what is one in Him; unite what is still divided, and soon unite in His coming all His own from the ends of the earth before His throne! Amen. —

Baierlein.

Sadras, March 15, 1855.

(Contributed.)

On the Training of Schoolteachers.

The want of capable, Christian schoolteachers is a great one, a crying one. In recognition of it the undersigned pastors, in God's name, with the assistance of their teachers, have since the beginning of this year, at first privately, made a small beginning toward the training of young people for the teacher's calling. The favorable opportunity offering itself for this precisely at their place of calling appeared to them as a finger-post of the Lord, which they dared not leave unheeded. Dear brethren in office, near and far, have also approved their undertaking and encouraged them to it. And when they lately brought the same up at the District Synods at Chicago and Milwaukee, they likewise found general assent, good counsel and strong impulse to further it. The need is also evident.

We need capable, Christian schoolteachers, such as cling to the pure Lutheran doctrine from the heart and with zeal, are firm and grounded in it, equipped and fitted for the teaching and defense of it, and therefore also able to warn and keep our children from the error of the sects, to establish them thus in the pure doctrine of the Church, and to fill them with living zeal for it. We need such teachers as, because the pure Gospel is to them the chief matter and a matter of the heart, are impelled to teach also the other branches of knowledge which they have to impart to the children in the service and for the furtherance of the Gospel, and therefore also to handle the oversight, direction and education of the pupils not in a legalistic but in an evangelical spirit, so that also for all the concerns and hurts of the school Christ the Lord is recognized, proclaimed and sought as the right and only Savior. We need such teachers as are able to apply a thorough and at the same time practically helpful method in their instruction, not novices who by the application of new and newest school methods, which not seldom owe their origin to a rationalistic spirit, confuse more than they bring forward truly and lastingly. We need also teachers who are well versed in the English language and can instruct in it also, so that thereby the attendance of the English schools, which, even apart from the lack of religious instruction, according to experience presents itself as dangerous for most children, may be cut off and made superfluous.

But such teachers as have the named qualities are found only sparingly. The causes we know. Such teachers must be trained and educated out of the bosom of Christian congregations, and if they are to suit our circumstances in particular, out of the bosom of our congregations.

And that is our aim. Whoever acknowledges it, let him help us. We need your help, beloved brethren. We have, indeed, for the present still to carry on this our school affair as a private matter, until, if the Lord grant further increase, we can lay it before the general Synod. But precisely in order that this may happen, in order that the private matter may become a public one and thereby one blessed for all congregations of our Synod, we must claim your attention and participation even now for our undertaking and work. For what has already entered into life, and therefore could also already prove itself in some measure, we shall far more easily and quickly raise to our general concern than that which may appear as highly desirable, but has only in thought pitched its tent. Besides, in urgent matters one ought not to delay long. We have therefore also, as said, already made a small beginning. We have laid hand to the work. And until now God's blessing was with us. Therefore we must make you our fellow-helpers, that through the thanksgiving of many God may be richly praised. (2 Cor. 4, 15.) Also the work is done for your good. Therefore you will also gladly direct your eyes to that which concerns you. When your houses are built, you look on and work also with it. Good, so you will also look on and work with the more, when a work is done which has nothing else than the edification of the souls of your children for its aim. That is the Lord's cause. There you must be on the plan with us. You must help, if indeed Christ dwell in you.

But how? That also we will tell you. You can and should help us 1. with faithful intercession for the prospering of our labor; 2. with good counsel for the suitable execution of it, 3. by entrusting to us, for further training, for the Lord's sake and with a joyful spirit, those of your sons who show willingness and ability for the service of the school; and 4. also by being ready to let a helping hand come to us from the blessing of your earthly goods.

We have already a fund for our purpose. But it is small. We have also pupils, but few, and not of the age we should like; we have also intercession in faith, and good counsel in the same faith. But all is weak and small, the last as well as the first, the inward as well as the outward. Shall it then remain so? No, but we will grow, so that you also through us may grow and bear fruit. But we can grow only through you, through your helping. So let, dear brethren, our brotherly request for your assistance not have come in vain to your hearts!

Whoever now will offer something to his Lord Jesus in the future educators and teachers of children, and in the children who are to be brought up and taught to Him through them, let him make his remittance to Pastor Lochner, who has undertaken the management of our fund. For those who wish to give us a son for training for the service of the school, we note the following. We desire pupils of an age of 15 to 20 years, at least such as have already been confirmed. The six pupils whom we already have are for the greater part not yet confirmed, and compel us on account of their age not soon enough to satisfy existing needs for good schoolteachers, though we gladly admit that younger pupils, if they persevere and prove themselves, will attain a so much the more thorough training. Since we now already have such younger pupils, we could at any rate in case of need still take the one and the other besides, and enroll such a one in the course of the younger. Nevertheless we can allow this, for the reason indicated, only as an exception. Rather we cherish toward our dear brethren in the pastoral office, as in the teacher's office, the confidence that they will take in hand, up to the proper age in particular, those boys who might be suited for the service of the school, and moreover with the consent of their parents show joyfulness and desire, prepare them, and keep them in the direction and love toward their calling.

Our present pupils, who are for the most part still of school age and therefore also still attend the half school in the forenoon, we have