Retaining and defending the confession

“As in war the banner and the one who carries it draws all the enemy fire - for when the flag falls the enemy cries victory - , so in the great church battle of our day everything is also directed at the flag of the confessions and against those who carry it. Oh, so let us, then, raise that flag of our pure confession that much higher, even as we are all the more reviled for it, courageously battle under it, boldly proclaim it, and, when it is necessary and possible, die a thousand deaths rather than to shamefully and cowardly concede even the most insignificant part of the same to the enemy. “Hold fast,” the apostle declares to our synod, “to the pattern of sound Words that you have heard from me by the faith and the love in Christ Jesus. Guard this good deposit through the Holy Ghost, who dwells in us.” Oh that our beloved Synod would not finally grow weary in her retaining and defending the confession, but that she might become ever more zealous and bold in doing so! So will she progress even further in her victories, in all of her battles, which are appointed her in these last times, that, finally, she be brought into the ranks of the eternal triumphant host of God in heaven, as victorious warriors. To this end, may we be helped by the Captain of our salvation, Jesus Christ, who is worship, loved and praised to all eternity. Amen.”                  

 -From CFW Walther’s 1877 Synodical Convention sermon