# Pieper Correspondence_St. Louis Missouri_Theodore Graebner to Franz Pieper 16 September 1912_S1
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

The Lutheran Herald
Chicago, 16 September 1912.
Dr. F. Pieper,
St. Louis, Mo.

Highly esteemed Doctor!
It surely marks the position Dr. Stub takes toward us that it is now reported from the [transcription unclear: "reinlüstigsten"] source how he dealt with us at the pastoral conference in Red Wing. Of the proceedings held in Detroit [transcription: "gflg"] he reported nothing. Privately Stub said to someone who wished for a discussion of the Detroit resolutions: "Vi vil ikke har mere strid i synoden" [Norwegian: We will have no more strife in the synod] -- that is: the strife has come from the Germans, and we have now had enough. Questions addressed to me since then also suggest(?) that in the Quartalschrift articles on the doctrine of the church were so treated that the hearers received the impression: [transcription unclear: "Steh im Stück" Steu]: Missouri!
A strong countercurrent has now developed regarding organic union with the other synods. A committee of 5 men is to carry the matter further, and this committee has now received a document signed by about 50 pastors, some of them highly respected, warning against organic union. Among the signers are, for example, President Hendrickson of the Northwestern District, Torison, Gullixon, Molstad, I. A. Thorsan, and other men who [gap in the transcription] positions
(page 2 of letter).
hold. President Preus of Luther College, as well as a whole number of the most important men of the Luther College faculty, also Horn and Brandt, are against union. At least 100 pastors and professors oppose organic amalgamation. It came to serious clashes in Red Wing. Individual opponents were plainly told that by their position against union they would suffer loss(?) of office and influence. I am assured that many returned home from Red Wing sobered. What paths are now to be taken to keep the more thoughtful steadfast is now the great problem. Through the Herald I can serve the matter only negatively, by sitting tight and giving no cause to be pushed aside in favor of a [transcription unclear: "erbieten"] union man. Now how are these people to be advised?
Professor Kildahl flatly denied(?) a few weeks ago in a "Lutheraneren" article that Dr. Schmidt had called into question the statements reported at the time in "Kirketidende." Another correspondent, however, brings a reply(?) in which [transcription unclear] that first published account as entirely in accord with the truth. Of Schmidt's reported departure from his position, however, I have heard nothing.
With respectful greeting I sign myself
Your pupil,
Theo. Graebner.
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For: CONCORDIA HISTORICAL INSTITUTE
801 De Mun Avenue
St. Louis, Mo. 63105
Transcribed from the German original in Xerox copy by Reinhold A. Marquardt
403 D Enchanted Pkwy
Manchester, MO 63011
November 23, 1981