USA > Illinois > Fayette County > Vandalia > Minutes twenty-ninth annual convention Chicago Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1899 > Part 6
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10
Finances.
Last year Synod placed at our disposal $700.00, which we thought sufficient to carry on the work for the year. But some unforseen expenses occurred which left a deficit of $75.11 in our account. The Treasurer's report, herewith appended, shows how the funds were expended.
The Committee made an earnest effort to have the St Peter's congregation, Chicago, transferred to the Board of English Home Missions of the General Council, and were hopeful that the trans- fer might be effected, so that the funds expended there might be used in developing other promising points. But we were disap- pointed. The Board declined to take St. Peter's under their care, so we must continue to provide for it.
Treasurer's Report.
By Cash Received.
$780 00
EXPENDITURES.
To Crisman, Ind. $133 00
To Portland, Ind. 206 00
To Lafayette, Ind. 50 00
To Chicago, Kimball Hall 80 00
To Chicago, H. B . Reed
280 30
-27
To Chicago, Maplewood car fare. 3 50
To H. A. W. Yung, expenses. 14 70
To M. L Wagner, expenses 7 75
To Geo. P. Kabele, secretary's book.
25
To C. T. A. Anderson, postage and exchange. 3 95
Total Expenses. 779 45
Balance Cash on Hand.
55 $780 00
Respectfully submitted.
C. T. A. ANDERSON.
Recommendations.
1. That the work may not suffer in the different fields, we would respectfully recommend the following appropriations:
$300 to St. Peter's, Chicago.
$125 to St. James', Chicago, from May to September.
$300 to Portland and Alexandria, Ind.
$140 to Zion's, Lafayette, Ind.
$200 to St. Matthew's, Chicago.
$360 to St. Luke's, Logan Square, Chicago, to be paid in semi-annual payments of sixty dollars each.
2. For the ensuing year we respectfully ask the Synod to place at our disposal the sum of $1,370, in order that the work of the Lord may be properly carried forward within our territory.
3. That the Chicago Synod's relation to the Home Mission Board of the General Council may be clearly understood, we would respectfully recommend the adoption of the following reso- lutions:
RESOLVED, I. That we note with much gratitude the work done and contemplated within our bounds by the Board of Home Missions of the General Council.
RESOLVED, II. That we regret that on account of the very partial acceptance of the principles of the centralization of mis- sions throughout the Synods of the General Council, it has been impossible on both sides to carry out the agreement made in 1892 between the General Council and the Chicago Synod, then the Indiana Synod, but that we stand ready at this time to express our complete approval of those principles and assert our willing- ness to co-operate in their application just as soon as a sufficient number of General Council Synods are ready to take a similar step.
RESOLVED, III. That until this high purpose be attained,
-28-
we feel it our duty to cultivate the mission field within our bounds to the full extent of our ability, and that until then the Chicago Synod sustain the same relation to the General Council Home Mission Board as the other synods.
RESOLVED, IV. That we hail with much pleasure the in- formation that the General Council Board contemplates the estab- lishment of missions in the city of Detroit, and that we urge them to aid in our important field to the utmost extent of their ability.
THE COMMITTEE.
The resolutions of the report bearing on the relation existing between the General Council and the Chicago Synod were on motion taken up as a substitute for the resolutions referred from the first session, considered item by item, and adopted as a whole. The recommenda- tions made by the Home Mission Committee were ac- cepted, and the report was adopted as a whole.
The deferred items of the report of the Delegation to the General Council were taken up and considered.
In reference to item one it was resolved that Synod is not now able to comply with the request. Items two and three were adopted. The report as a whole was adopted.
Report of Committee on Absentees.
We, your Committee, have received communications stating reasons for their absence from this convention of Synod from the following clerical members: Rev. C. Koerner, Rev. J. Good, Rev. H. B. Reed, and Rev. M. J. Stirewalt, D. D. We recommend that these brethren be excused.
Requests for leaving Synod before its close have been received from Delegate John B. Hupp, to be excused after Saturday morn- ing's session; from Rev. Zenan M. Corbet, to be excused after Saturday afternoon's session; from Delegate M. E. Haberland. to be excused to leave Saturday afternoon; from Rev. A. C. Anda, to be excused after Sunday; from Delegate Josiah Rothenberger, to be excused after Saturday afternoon's session. We recommend that these brethren be excused.
-29-
Rev, Prof. R. F. Weidner, D. D. , LL. D., and Rev. Prof. A. T. Clay, Ph. D., are absent without excuse.
THE COMMITTEE.
The report was received. The request of Delegate Hupp was granted. The rest of the report was deferred. Adjourned with prayer by Rev. J. Wesner.
FIFTH SESSION.
Saturday, June 9, 1900, 2 p. m.
The devotional services were conducted by the Rev. C. L. V. Dozer. The minutes were read and approved.
The consideration of the Report of the Committee on Absentees was resumed. The remaining recommenda- ~ tions were accepted and the report was adopted as a whole.
Report of Committee on Young Lutheran.
Your Committee would respectfully report that the Synodical Edition of the Young Lutheran has been regularly issued: that the edition has fluctuated from 1, 100 to 1,250 copies; that it is taken by all the congregations except ten; that it has been our intention to make the paper a means of developing the latent resources of Synod, and that we feel that substantial progress has been made as a consequence. We would urge those pastors, whose congre- gations do not take this paper, to make an effort to introduce it.
1. An expense of $3.32 has been incurred by the Committee in performing their duties, which we recommend be paid from the synodical treasury.
2. Your Committee recommend that a committee be appointed to continue the publication of the Synod's Edition of the Young Lutheran. THE COMMITTEE.
The report was received and adopted item by item; and it was resolved that the special committee consist of the brethren, Wagner, Whitman, and Pearch.
Report of Directors of the Dieckmann Memorial Home.
The provisional Board of Trustees appointed by Synod at the convention last year, met on Monday evening, May 29, at the resi-
-30-
dence of Rev. M. L. Wagner, and effected a temporary organiza- tion. A committee was appointed to secure the incorporation of the Board, and one on constitution and by-laws.
The Board was incorporated under the laws of the state of Illinois, July 18, 1899, under the name and title, The Dieckmann Memorial Home for the Aged of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Later another meeting of the Board was held and permanent or- ganization effected by the election of Rev. M. L. Wagner, presi- dent; Rev. I. Whitman, secretary, and Mr. G. A. A. Dieckmann, treasurer, and the adoption of a constitution and by-laws for the government of the Board.
Under the sanction of the Board, 4,000 copies of the announce- ment were issued, and 1,500 copies have been judiciously distri- buted. This announcement sets forth the aim of the Board and the object of the home; also an appeal for funds. The income from this source has not been very flattering.
During the year the property has been occupied by tenants, and the income from this source, and the several personal contri- butions, have enabled the Board to defray all expenses, the heaviest item being $103.21 for taxes for 1899. Hereafter the property is exempt from taxation.
The following is the treasurer's report to June 1, 1900: Total amount received from all sources. $241 67
Total amount of expenditures. 192 87
Balance. 48 80
At the annual meeting of the Board held April 3, besides the routine business, the Board adopted a resolution, expressing its conviction that the Home could be more efficiently managed and secure a larger constituency of supporters if it be placed in the hands and under the management of an organization having such and affiliated charities under its control. Such an organization is found in The Institution of Protestant Deaconesses of Cook County, Illinois. A committee was appointed to correspond with this or- ganization with a view of placing the Home under its care and management. A letter was addressed to that institution and the following reply was received:
RESOLVED, That as this institution has not at present and apparently may not soon have any deaconesses to take charge of such a Home for the Aged, we greatly regret our inability at this time to consider their proposition favorably, and are not prepared
-
-31-
1
to correspond concerning the acceptance or administration of the contemplated Home for the Aged.
The Board of Directors are anxious to carry out the design of the donor, at as an early a day as is practicable, but at present deem it inadvisable to open the Home because of the lack of funds to meet the expenses that would be incurred. To open it to receive inmates involves grave responsibilities, and we decline to assume such until we have sufficient resources to make reasonably certain our ability to discharge our responsibilities. If we are to do this work, the good people of our Synod must rally to our support.
THE DIRECTORS.
The report was received for insertion in the minutes.
Report of Committee on Education.
Your Committee would respectfully report the following:
1. That during the past year Students Howard E. Snyder, Thiel College, Pa., Andrew M. Sappenfield, Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, Minn., and John V. Sappenfield, Theological Seminary, Chicago, Il1., each received the sum of $100.00, to aid them in the continuance of their studies. Having shown satisfac- tory progress in their studies the past year, your Committee recommends that the sum of $100.00 be appropriated to Student Snyder, $100.00 to Student Andrew M. Sappenfield, and $75.00 to Student John V. Sappenfield, for the ensuing year.
2. That Oliver O. Yung, a member of the First English Lutheran Church, of Decatur, Ill., having a desire to enter col- lege with the ministry of the Lutheran Church in view, makes ap- plication for aid to the extent of $75.00, to enable him to pursue his studies the coming year. Your Committee, being fully satis- fied of his moral and intellectual fitness, of his standing in the church, and of his ability to enter the Freshman class, recommends that his request be granted and that the sum of $75.00 be appro- priated for his benefit. THE COMMITTEE.
The report was received and adopted as a whole.
Adjourned with prayer by Rev. P. C. Wike.
-32-
SIXTH SESSION.
Monday, June 11, 1900, 9 a. m.
The devotional services were conducted by the Rev. L. O. Pearch. The roll was called and the minutes were approved.
The Rev. M. L. Wagner was appointed by Synod to prepare the obituary of the Rev. A. E. Gift.
Report of Committee on Foreign Missions.
Your Cominittee begs leave to submit the following report:
On Sunday, June 10th, it was our privilege to listen to our Foreign Mission Superintendent as he presented the interests of his great cause. From his earnest words and from the tidings that have come to us from the foreign field during the year we have learned the sad fact that half as many millions of our fellow- men as inhabit this great land of ours are in bitter want from the ravages of famine and plague. In view of this sore need in the field in which we have been placed by the guiding hand of God, of the contemplated enlargement of our work and also in considera- tion of the promising field open before us in Porto Rico, we most earnestly recommend the cause of Foreign Missions to the liber- ality of our people, and recommend that Synod appropriate at least as much as last year to this work, ($200.00.)
THE COMMITTEE.
The report was received and adopted. Report of Committee on Conferences.
Your Committee begs leave to present the following report:
After having examined the minutes of the conferences of this Synod, we find no recommendations that require action by this COMMITTEE ON CONFERENCES. body.
The report was received and adopted.
Report of Committee on Protocol and Minutes of Previous Convention.
Your Committee begs leave to submit the following report:
We have examined the protocol and minutes of the last con- vention and desire to call attention to the following items:
-33 --
1. That on page eleven of the printed minutes we find a recommendation that every pastor be dilligent and earnest in seek- ing out such boys and young men as have the proper qualifications for the holy office, and call their attention to the blessed work and endeavor to lead them to prepare for the ministry, and that the roll of pastors be called each year and that each report what he has done in this matter.
2. That the proposed by-laws provisionally adopted last year should be considered at this meeting of Synod.
3. That the proposed plan for the regulation of beneficiary education provisionally adopted at the last meeting should be con- sidered at this meeting. THE COMMITTEE.
The report was received and considered item by item. In regard to item one it was resolved to comply with the regulation immediately. The roll was called and the pastors responded. In regard to item two it was resolved that the provisional by-laws be continued another year and that they be made the order for the first afternoon session of the next convention. In reference to item three it was resolved to continue the provisional plan for beneficiary aid another year and to consider the plan for adoption at the next convention.
Report of Committee on Benevolence.
1. Your Committee arranged for a public service on Friday evening of this synodical convention, especially devoted to the sub- ject of Benevolence. Addresses were delivered by Rev. Wm. J. Finck, of Anderson, Ind., and Rev. A. D. Crile, of Chicago, Il1. The offerings for the evening were over $25.00. Your Committee recommends that this sum be equally distributed among our in- stitutions of mercy at Jacksonville, Chicago, and Vandalia, I11.
2. Once more we call attention to the needs of the Institutions of Mercy which are within our own bounds and may rightfully claim our charities. Your Committee would therefore respectfully recommend that each pastor call the attention of his congregation to the necessity of making a donation or taking up an offering for the benefit of these institutions. As an appropriate season for the donation or offering, we would suggest Thanksgiving Day.
3. Your Committee begs leave to suggest that during the com-
-34-
ing year the pastors of this Synod endeavor to give prominence to the work of Benevolence in their congregations. Surely there is no work more divine, more humane, than that which occupied so great a part of the ministry of the God-man, the sympathetic Saviour of men, who went about doing good, curing diseases, healing those who were oppressed with the Devil, comforting the fatherless and the widow, and bringing healing and joy into the homes of pain and sorrow.
4. We commend the Deaconess work to the pastors of Synod; we suggest that they not only remember it in prayer, but also present its needs and impress upon the young women of our con- gregations the necessity of giving not only of their means but the . giving of themselves to this noble work of God.
THE COMMITTEE.
The report was adopted.
Report of Committee on Treasurer's Report.
We, your Committee to whom were referred the reports of the Treasurer and of the Acting Treasurer, beg leave to report that we have carefully compared the items of the reports with the book accounts and vouchers and find the reports correct.
THE COMMITTEE.
The report was adopted.
Rev. Wm. Evans and Delegate C. T. A. Anderson were excused from further attendance.
The time for the next convention was fixed for Wednesday before Trinity Sunday, (May 29, 1901.)
Report of Committee on Ministerial Relief.
Your Committee begs leave to submit the following report:
During the past year the attention of the Committee was called to the needs of our esteemed brother, the Rev. Dr. Stirewalt. In December your Committee sent him the $50 which Synod placed at its disposal.
For the ensuing year the Committee would respectfully ask for an appropriation of $200.
Inasmuch as it is the very solemn duty of the church to provide for her disabled pastors who have borne the burden and heat of the day in the service of God, and to make provision so far as pos-
-35 --
sible before hand that such brethren may have something more definite to look forward to as they see and feel the day of disa- bility approaching, be it
RESOLVED, That from this time forth, Synod orders as a part of her regular and permanent work that collections be taken an- nually in all our congregations and personal donations be re- quested for the benefit of our disabled pastors. That your Com- mittee shall see to it that the annual collections shall be lifted, that delinquents shall be notified of their duty in this matter, that instances requiring immediate help shall be brought to the knowl- edge of the brethren, to receive all collections, to hold and disburse them as Synod may direct, and to report at the annual meeting of Synod the condition of the treasury. Should the amounts received during any year exceed the disbursements of that year the sur- plus shall be set apart and sacredly held for the purpose for which it was raised, so that in this way in the course of time a permanent fund may be secured for this purpose.
RESOLVED, That application for aid be made to the Committee, that the amount granted to each individual or family be left to the discretion of the Committee, and that its disbursements shall not exceed the amount received. 1 THE COMMITTEE.
The report was received and adopted item by item. Adjourned with prayer by Rev. A. V. House.
SEVENTH SESSION.
Monday, June 11. 1900, 2 p. m.
The devotional services were conducted by the Rev. Mr. Sappenfield. The minutes were read and approved. Rev. A. D. Crile was excused for his absence from the last two sessions of Synod.
Invitations for the next convention were next in order and the urgent invitation from St. Paul's, Rochester charge, was accepted.
Report of Committee on Parochial Reports and Apportionments.
1. Your Committee would respectfully report that we have made the apportionments on the basis of fifty cents for each com-
-- 36-
municant member for the coming year, making exceptions only in the case of missions and those congregations which are practically missions.
2. We recommend that the delinquencies recommended for cancellation by the treasurer be cancelled on the condition that these congregations pay their apportionment in full for the ensu- ing year.
3. We further recommend that all other delinquencies be can- celled on condition that the congregations raise the full amount apportioned for the coming year, and in addition, one fourth of these delinquencies.
4. The tables of apportionments and the tabulated parochial reports will be presented as a part of this report.
THE COMMITTEE.
The report was received and adopted item by item.
The Report of Committee on Protocol and Minutes of Previous Convention was taken up, completed and adopted as a whole.
The Report of the Committee on President's Report was recalled, item three previously tabled was adopted and the report was adopted as a whole.
At 3:40 a paper was read by Dr. Sadtler on the sub- ject, "Tne Progress of Recent Lutheran Literature."
The President announced the committees for the coming year.
Standing Committees.
EXAMINATION-Dr. S. Wagenhals, Rev. J. Wesner, Dr. G. H. Gerberding, Rev. P. C. Wike, Rev. A. D. Crile.
FOREIGN MISSIONS-Dr. Sadtler, Rev. L. O. Pearch, and Mr. W. D. Killian.
HOME MISSIONS-Rev. A. C. Anda, Dr. W. A. Sadtler, Rev. G. P. Kabele, Rev. A. J. Reichart, Dr. G. H. Gerberding, and Messrs. C. T. A. Anderson, Treasurer, 91 Dearborn St., Fred. Sachse, Wm. Lange, Lewis F. Mueller.
EDUCATION-Rev. J. Wesner, Rev. Isaiah Whitman, and Dr. N. D. Myers.
BENEVOLENCE-Rev. William Evans, Rev. Z. M. Corbet, and Mr. M. L. Deck.
DISCIPLINE-Rev. Luther Hogshead, Rev. D. L. Reese, Rev.
-37-
J. M. G. Sappenfield, Rev. P. C. Wike, and Rev. A. V. House. RECEPTION OF CONGREGATIONS-Rev. P. C. Wike, Rev. C. L. V. Dozer, and Rev. A. D. Crile.
PAROCHIAL REPORTS AND APPORTIONMENTS-Rev. I. Whit- man, Rev. D. L. Reese, Rev. W. Evans, and Messrs. James A. Dunn, and Jacob E. Fine.
Special Committees.
MINISTERIAL RELIEF-Rev. A. J. Reichert, Rev. D. L. Reese, and Rev. P. C. Wike.
YOUNG LUTHERAN-Rev. M. L. Wagner, Rev. I. Whitman, and Rev. L. O. Pearch.
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION-Rev. Drs. W. A. Sadtler, and G. H. Gerberding.
DIRECTORS OF THE DIECKMANN MEMORIAL HOME FOR THE AGED-Rev. M. L. Wagner, President; Rev. I. Whitman, Secre- "tary; George A. A. Dieckmann, Treasurer; Rev. A. D. Crile, Rev. A. J. Reichert, Dr. N. D. Myers, and Mr. James Bennyhoff.
Resolution of Thanks.
RESOLVED, I. That we hereby express our hearty thanks to the pastor and members of the Hicksville pastorate for the kind and cordial entertainment received at their hands during the con- tinuance of this convention .
RESOLVED, II. That the pastor make known this resolution to his people at his first opportunity.
The minutes of this session were read and approved. All reports having been heard and all business disposed of, Synod closed its last session according to the regular Order of the Church Book.
Five days were spent in convention assembled, dur- ing which much business relating to the Kingdom was transacted, and now thankful for the harmony manifested and the good accomplished, the brethren separated to their respective fields trusting in the Good Shepherd for strength and direction for renewed work, and hoping through His mercy to be allowed to return a year hence with ranks unbroken by death and with reports of much progress in every department of church work, to the sal- vation of man and to the undivided glory of God.
WILLIAM J. FINCK, Secretary.
-38-
AMON EDWARD GIFT.
The Rev. Amon Edward Gift was born June 9, 1849, in Lew- istown, Pennsylvania. He was baptized and confirmed by the Rev. Peter Schindel.
Early in life he determined to enter the Gospel ministry, and embraced every opportunity to prepare himself for the holy office. His preparatory education was received at Wyoming Academy, where, after a four years' course of study, he graduated. Sub- sequently he entered Capital University, Columbus, O., where he received his Theological training. While in this institution he served as tutor in the German language.
He was ordained August 23, 1874. For several years he served as a missionary in Kansas and Iowa, then served as assistant to the Rev. G. W. Mechling, at Lancaster, O. In 1879 he received and accepted a call to the Rochester parish, entering upon his duties June 9, 1879. He united with the Indiana, now the Chicago Synod, in October of the same year. He served this his first and only charge twenty-one years.
As a pastor Rev. A. E. Gift was conscientious and faithful. By his quiet, orderly and unpretentious life he won the hearts of his people, and became their trusted spiritual counsellor. As a Christian gentleman he commanded the respect and esteem of all who knew him. By his exemplary life as citizen and friend, he exerted an influence and left an impress upon the community in which he lived that will not soon be effected. He mingled among men as a man, always inspiring by his presence and bearing to things higher and nobler. He was kind and courteous to all.
As a preacher, Rev. A. E. Gift excelled in many respects. He accepted the doctrines of the Lutheran Church without any qualifi- cations, and was zealous in their defense. He faithfully expounded the Word, bringing messages of warning and love unto his people. In the pulpit he knew nothing but Jesus Christ. Him he preached in all earnestness and love. Pastor Gift had a very low estimate of his ability as a preacher, which made him timid and diffident almost to a fault, but his timidity was a source of strength. He was content to labor in his humble sphere, never aspiring to a more remunerative pastorate.
He was married to Miss Julia A. Wentzel, Feb. 23, 1886, with whom he lived happily. In his devoted wife he found a wise counsellor, and one who encouraged him in his work. He leaves besides his wife, one son, George, to mourn his death.
He fell asleep in Jesus, after a long and painful illness, May 16, 1900, aged 50 years, 11 months, and 7 days.
M. L. WAGNER.
-39-
RELIGIOUS SERVICES.
THURSDAY MORNING:
Opening Service. Liturgical Services by the Secretary, Rev. William J. Finck. Synodical Sermon by the President, Prof. G. H. Gerber- ding, D. D., St. John 15:26, 27. Preparatory Service and Holy Communion.
THURSDAY EVENING:
Home Missions.
Opening Service by Rev. A . J. Reichert and Dr. W. A. Sadtler. Address by the Rev. J. C. Kunzmann, Greensburg, Pa. Offerings for Home Missions.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.