USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > Minutes twenty-sixth annual convention Chicago Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1896 > Part 2
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The report was received and referred to an auditing committee consisting of Delegates Melander, Meyers and Brink.
The hours for the sessions were fixed as follows: Morn- ing, 9 to 12; Afternoon, 2 to 4:30; Evening, begin- ning at 8 o'clock.
It was resolved, that the consideration of the constitu-
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tion take precedence of all other business, except reports of committees.
Adjourned with prayer by Rev. McMurray.
-İ- Second Session.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1896, 9 A. M.
The meeting was opened with prayer by Rev. J. Wesner. The roll was called and the minutes were ap- proved. The lay delegates, who arrived after the close of the first session, presented their credentials, and their names were added to the roll of lay delegates.
The President announced the
Revised Committees.
EXAMINING-Revs. S. Wagenhals, D. D., M. J. Stirewalt, D. D., C. Koerner, and M. L. Wagner.
HOME MISSIONS-Revs. H. L. McMurray, A. V. House, W. R. Swickard, A. T. Clay, Ph. D., and Messrs. W. D. Killian and Samuel C. Hepler.
FOREIGN MISSIONS-Revs. C. Koerner, Wm. J. Finck, F. C. Oberly, and Messrs. R. F. Brink and A. D. Crile.
EDUCATION-Revs. J. Wesner, W. R. Swickard, M. L. Wagner, G. D. Gross and Messrs. J. D. Fritch and N. D. Myers, M. D.
RECEPTION OF CONGREGATIONS-Revs. A. V. House, J. M. G. Sappen- field, Jesse Dunn, and Messrs. Merrill E. Boulton and R. F. Brink.
PAROCHIAL REPORTS AND APPORTIONMENTS-Revs. M. L. Wagner, W. R. Swickard, J. Wesner, S. Wagenhals, D. D., and Messrs. A. D. Crile and W. D. Killian.
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS CONVENTION-Revs. A. V. House, Jesse Dunn, G. D. Gross, and Messrs. R. W. Gable and Samuel Booher.
DISCIPLINE-Revs. F. C. Oberly, Jesse Dunn, A. V. House, W. R. Swick- ard, and Messrs. N. D. Myers, M. D., and D. J. Miller.
MINUTES OF OTHER SYNODS-Revs. M. L. Wagner, . Wm. J. Finck, M. J. Stirewalt, D. D., and Messrs. Samuel Booher and Samuel C. Hepler.
ABSENTEES-Revs. M. J. Stirewalt, D. D., G. D. Gross, C. Koerner and Messrs. M. L. Melander and John E. Rode.
WOMAN'S WORK-Revs. A. T. Clay, Ph. D., C. Koerner, H. L. McMur- ray, and Messrs. A. D. Crile and D. J. Miller.
WORKS OF MERCY-Revs. G. D. Gross, Wm. J. Finck, G. H. Gerber- ding, D. D., and Messrs. J. D. Fritch and N. D. Myers, M. D.
SILVER JUBILEE COMMITTEE-Historical, Revs. S. Wagenhals, D. D.,
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M. J. Stirewalt, D. D., J. Wesner, M. L. Wagner, and A. V. House. Finan- cial, Rev. W. A. Sadtler, Ph. D., and Mr. D. J. Miller.
Reporters for the several church papers were appointed. Rev. M. L. Wagner read his
Report of the Missionary Director.
Your Missionary Director would respectfully submit the following Report of his labors for the past year.
The Elwood Case.
In the minutes of the last convention of this Synod, page 21, we find that the Missionary Committee recommended the following:
"That in reference to the mission at Elwood, the Director of Missions visit the mission at as early a date as practicable, that he explain to it the true status of Synod in reference to it, invite them back to us, and if they are disposed to return, report at once to the Home Mission Board of the General Council, that aid may be secured for them."
Before attempting to carry out this request of Synod, your Director thought it best to ascertain the relation of the mission to the Olive Branch Synod, and also what assurance of support the Board could give, in case the mission should return. I therefore wrote to Superintendent Whitte- ker and frankly stated the case, and asked, whether I could assure the mis- sion of support, in my effort to secure their return. He replied that no support could be given.
Consulting the minutes of the Olive Branch Synod, for 1894, whose convention was held one month after our convention at Decatur, I find that Rev. Booher, as commissioner for the Elwood mission, appeared be- tore that body and applied for membership. The congregation was re- ceived conditionally, and it and the pastor's name both appear on the synodical roll of that Synod. On the Sunday preceding our convention at Goshen, the mission dedicated its church building, ministers of the Olive Branch Synod assisting the pastor. It is clear that the Olive Branch Synod regarded both pastor and mission as in full and regular connection with that body from October 1894.
Not being able to visit the mission in person, your Director wrote to Rev. Finck, at Anderson, requesting him to visit Elwood and ascertain the feeling of the people. He did so, and reported, that it was impossible for our Synod to do anything. In your Director's opinion, matters had gone so far, that any attempt on our part to secure the return of the mis- sion to us, would have been regarded by the Olive Branch Synod, as an unwarranted interference in their affairs. We therefore let matters rest.
Woman's Work.
Your Director has endeavored to carry out the instructions of Synod
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relative to Woman's Work, found on page 22, of last year's minutes. By correspondence, he learned that there are at least, eleven Ladies' Societies in the Synod. Eight of these societies are organized for local church work, two are devoted to the interests of Home and Foreign Mission work, and one has both local and general mission work, as its object.
From expressions received, and in view of other considerations, your Director is of the opinion that a Synodical organization, composed of re- presentatives of these societies, is at present impracticable. The follow- ing are some of the reasons: 1. There is not a uniformity of purpose on the part of these societies. Their object being local, the horizon of their work is circumscribed by the limits of their own parish. 2. No move- ment looking towards a general organization, in fact no desire for such an organization, has yet been made, or expressed by these societies. A com- mon interest and a common object, we think, are a prerequisite to united and hearty co-operation. Where these are not, an organization would be simply a body without a soul. 3. The societies now existing, are so widely separated, that co-operation among them is quite difficult. It is the opin- ion of your Missionary Director, however, that by keeping this subject before these societies, patiently educating them until they perceive the great wants of our beloved Church, and the importance of co-operation, we can have in due time, an efficient Synodical Woman's Home and Foreign Mission Society.
Vacancies Supplied.
For two months after the adjournment of our last connvention, your Missionary Director devoted his time to supplying vacancies, and visiting a few places where he thought preaching points might be estab- lished. A few visits to established parishes were also made. Passing through Vincennes, a part of a day was devoted to looking after our Church's interests there. A Lutheran family was visited, and through them, he learned of others who desired English services. Owing to lack of time, nothing further was done.
The Missions.
The following missions of the General Council, located in our bounds, are in connection with this Synod, and our interest in them justifies the presentation of a brief report of their condition and work.
FIRST ENGLISH, DECATUR, ILLINOIS.
After the resignation of the former missionary, August 1, 1895, the mission was regularly supplied by visiting pastors and students from the Chicago Seminary, until November 17, when Rev. Frank C. Oberly took charge. Under his pastoral oversight, the mission has prospered. The Church Book, the Sunday School Book, and the Church Lesson Leaves, are used in the Congregation and Sunday School. There are at present
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300 baptized members, 105 communicant members, and 132 pupils en- rolled in the Sunday School, taught by twelve teachers. It has a Ladies' Society, numbering 29 members. and a Young People's Society of 25 members. Besides the main Sunday School, it has a mission Sunday School, which meets in a chapel owned by the congregation, about two miles from the church. The average attendance of this school has been about 50. The property owned by this mission is valued at $26,200, with only $330 debt. The income of the mission from all sources, excepting $400 appropriated to it by the Board of English Home Missions for the past year, was $704.69. It contributed to Missions and Benevolence, $83.07. The prospects of this mission are encouraging, and only those who know from actual experience, the difficulties and discouragements with which this mission has had to contend, can appreciate the work it has accomplished. It receives $400 per annum from the Board.
ST. PAUL'S, FRANKFORT, INDIANA.
This mission had been vacant for eight months, prior to our last con- vention of Synod, being supplied only at intervals. In September last, the mission extended a call to student Austin D. Crile to become their supply. He preached for them every two weeks during the winter and spring, when he relinquished his work. In May, Rev. David L. Reese was called and entered upon his work on the first of last June.
The membership of this mission has been somewhat reduced through removals from the city. But the losses have been in a measure counter- balanced by nine accessions, leaving the present membership 94. The Sunday School enrolls 105 pupils and teachers, and an active and aggress- ive Ladies' Society aids much in pushing along the work. The missionary takes a hopeful view of the future, and believes that considerable strength will be added to the mission during the ensuing year. The Board of Home Missions appropriates $100 to this mission.
ST. JOHN'S, ENGLEWOOD, CHICAGO.
Notwithstanding the hard times and stringency in financial circles, the watchword of this mission has been "Forward." The membership has been increased one-third, and a neat, substantial and attractive chapel has been erected upon a lot owned by the mission, in a good residence neigh- borhood, on Indiana Avenue, south of sixty-first street. Both pastor and people feel much encouraged, and hope, that when they can worship in their own chapel, the growth of the mission will be more rapid.
This mission has a Sunday School and Ladies' Society, both of which are in a flourishing condition. The Board of Home Missions appropriated $500 for the past year.
ZION'S, PORTLAND, INDIANA.
The past year has been a trying one for both missionary Swickard.
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and his people. The congregation has been much reduced in strength through removals and withdrawals. Yet there is a faithful remnant who labor on in unshaken faith. Behind the clouds, a light is breaking. Your Director sees no reason why any of these people should be discouraged. They have a lot in a good location and paid for. In spite of the hard times, Rev. Swickard has succeeded in securing subscriptions amounting to $2800, for a Church building. This certainly reflects much credit upon the hard-working missionary and people. It is hoped that steps will be taken at once towards the erection of a Church, in which these good people may worship. To worship in a hall is a detriment to any congre- gation. The mission received $200 from the Board.
ST. JOHN'S, ANDERSON, INDIANA.
This mission is still under the pastoral care of Rev. Wm. J. Finck. During the year, it has made substantial progress. It has church property valued at $5500, contributed toward benevolent objects, $35.67, and for current expenses, $509. It has a Sunday School numbering 75, with eleven teachers, and an active Pastor's Aid Society, who devote their ener- gies chiefly to the reduction of the debt upon the property. The attend- ance at the services has been good, especially during the heated term, which encouraged the pastor very much. The outlook for this mission is bright, and in due time certainly will become a strong factor for Luther- anism in central Indiana. The amount received from the Board per an- num by this mission is $590.
ST. JOHN'S, OVID, IND.
As an evidence of the vitality of Lutheranism, we might cite this as a good illustration. Organized thirty-five years ago, it has had a checkered career, being without pastoral oversight for more than one-half of this time. Yet through this whole career it has held to the old faith with a tenacity that is commendable. About two years ago, Rev. Finck began holding services as his time permitted. In due time, the congregation was reorganized, and at present numbers twenty-five communicant members. It contributed $6.25 to the Jubilee Fund and $3.30 for missions. In June, they celebrated their thirty-fifth anniversary, the services being well at- tended and much interest manifested. The congregation owns a desirable lot, with a commodious church building, and cemetery adjoining. It has contributed towards the pastoral supply and benevolence, $69.55
Recommendations.
Assuming that the new Constitution will be adopted by Synod at this convention, and that it will go into immediate effect, and, as it defines certain duties belonging to the office of Missionary Director, believing that now is the time to make a beginning in the work contemplated, and to
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enter upon a more aggressive missionary policy, your Missionary Director would recommend:
1. That our pastors encourage their Ladies' Societies to look upon the wants of the Church beyond their own parish, and make earnest, prayerful efforts to aid in the relief of the same, in the spirit of Christian love and benevolence.
2. That the congregations of this Synod, in the autumn season, hold Harvest services, to partake of the nature of a thanksgiving service, in which God's goodness to us be the theme of the preacher, and thank- offerings be received for the mission cause of our Synod.
3. That diligent efforts be made by pastors and Sunday School superintendents, to interest the Sunday Schools more deeply in the cause of Home and Foreign missions.
4. That a sum, not to exceed $50, be appropriated from the Jubilee Fund, to enable the Missionary Director to do the work defined in the Constitution, if opportunity offers for him to do so.
In closing this report, we express the hope, that a more aggressive policy will characterize this Synod in the future, than there has in the past; that we will rise to the measure of our duty in all things; and that above all, earnest, fervent prayers will ascend to God and the great Head of the Church, in behalf of his destitute children.
Respectfully submitted,
MARTIN L. WAGNER,
Missionary Director of the Chicago Synod.
The report was received and referred to the Home Mission Committee.
Report of the Historical Jubilee Committee.
Your Committee recommend that the Twenty-fifth Anniversary of the Indiana Synod be celebrated with a public service on Thursday even- ing, at which the following program be rendered:
1. THE USUAL OPENING SERVICE.
2. ADDRESS-"The Origin of the Indiana Synod," Rev. M. L. Wagner.
3. ADDRESS-"The Organization of the Indiana Synod," Rev. J. Wesner.
4. HYMN.
5. ADDRESS-"The Missionary Work of the Indiana Synod,"
Rev. M. J. Stirewalt, D. D.
6. ADDRESS-"Some Reflections Touching the Future," Rev. S. Wagenhals, D. D.
Respectfully submitted,
THE COMMITTEE.
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Report of Committee on Reception of Congregations.
We, your Committee on Reception of congregations, would respect- fully report that we have in our hands applications from the following congregations:
1. St. Mark's English Lutheran Church, Chicago, Illinois. Having as its Constitution, with a few alterations, the one recommended by the General Council, we recommend that this congregation be received.
2. St. Peter's English Lutheran Church, Chicago, Illinois. This con- gregation is in accord with this Synod and we therefore recommend its reception. In connection with this application, comes also a request for pecuniary aid, which we place in the hands of the Home Mission Com- mittee
3. St. John's Congregation of Mt. Zion's Church, Ovid, Indiana. This congregation asks to be re-enrolled as a member of this Synod. We recommend that its request be granted.
4. The Lutheran Union Church of the Whitestown charge. This congregation through its pastor also requests that it be re-enrolled. We recommend that the request be granted.
Respectfully submitted,
A. V. HOUSE, J. M. G. SAPPENFIELD, JESSE DUNN.
The report was received and adopted.
Report of the Auditing Committee.
We, the Auditing Committee, have examined the Treasurer's accounts and have found them correct in every particular.
M. L. MELANDER, N. D. MYERS, R F. BRINK.
The report was adopted.
The consideration of the new Constitution was now taken up. Its discussion was pending when the hour of ad- journment arrived.
An invitation was received from Mrs. L. B. Waters, Superintendent of the Passavant Memorial Hospital, to visit the hospital in a body. The invitation was accepted and the time fixed at 4:15 P. M., Thursday.
Adjourned with prayer by Rev. Oberly.
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Third Session.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1896, 2 P. M.
Dr. Gerberding opened the session with prayer. The minutes were read and approved.
Report of Committee on Absentees.
The Committee on Absentees report the following: The brethren, Revs. I. Hursh, J. Good, A. E. Gift, D. L. Reese, and R. L. Bame, are absent.
Personal intelligence informs us that age and the infirmities incident thereto, prevent Fathers Hursh and Good from presence with us. We recommend that they be excused.
Letters from Revs. Bame and Gift say that lack of funds for traveling expenses, prevent their presence. We recommend that they be excused.
A letter from the wife of Rev. Reese says that he is under the care of a physician, suffering with his eyes, and scarcely able to see. We recom- mend that his absence be excused, and that we express our hearty Sympathy with him in his affliction.
Respectfully submitted,
M. J. STIREWALT, JOHN E. RODE, G. D. GROSS.
The report was received and adopted.
Dr. Wagenhals, chairman of the Examining Committee, reported that a colloquium had been held with Prof. G. H. Gerberding, D. D. The committee recommended his recep- tion as a member of Synod. The recommendation was adopted.
The consideration of the new Constitution was con- tinued.
Adjourned with prayer by Dr. Stirewalt.
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Fourth Session.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1896, 9 A. M. Devotional services were conducted by Rev. Frick. In the absence of the President, Rev. J. Wesner presided. The roll was called and the minutes were approved.
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Report of Committee on Minutes of Previous Con- vention.
We, your committee, would respectfully refer:
1. To the instruction of Synod, as given on page 15, to committee on New Constitution, which was to "secure legal advice in regard to the prospective change of the Constitution." Has this been done?
2. Have the delegates to the General Council, asked said body to formulate a form of parochial report for the common use of Synods in connection with the General Council, (page 17)?
3. The case of discipline before Synod last year, was deferred for further action until this meeting of Synod. See page 17.
4. Have the recommendations, Nos. 1 and 2, on page 19, been com- plied with?
5. Has the recommendation of the Committee on Education, item 3, page 22, been complied with?
A. V. HOUSE, JESSE DUNN, G. D. GROSS, SAMUEL BOOHER, ROBERT W. GABLE.
The report was received and considered item by item.
Item 1. The committee on Constitution reported that nothing had been done .. The officers of Synod were in- structed to attend to this matter as soon as practicable, after the adoption of the new Constitution.
Item 2. Referred to delegates to General Council.
Item 3. Referred to Synod in private session.
Item 4. Recommendation No. 1, was answered by the pastors of the delinquent congregations, showing that in many cases the delinquency had been paid. Recommenda- tion No. 2, was answered by Treasurer Miller in the affirma- tive.
Item 5. Answered affirmatively by Rev. Wagner.
The report was adopted as a whole.
Report of the Delegation to the General Council.
The Twenty-fifth Convention of the General Council was held in St. John's Church, Easton, Pa., October 9-15, 1895. The Convention was
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opened in the usual manner, Dr. Jacobs preaching the opening sermon on "An Aggressive Christianity," based on Rom. 1: 14-18. The election of officers resulted in the choice of Dr. E. F. Moldehnke, President, Rev. W. K. Frick, English Recording Secretary, Rev. L. H. Beck, Swedish Recording Secretary, Dr. H. E. Jacobs, English Corresponding Secretary, Rev. A. Richter, German Corresponding Secretary, and Rev. C. A. Blomgren, Swedish Corresponding Secretary.
Eight Synods were represented in the Convention by sixty-five clerical and forty-two lay delegates. There were official visitors from the Gen- eral Synod in the person of Dr. S. W. Owen, and from the United Nor- wegian Church in the person of Rev. E. G. Lund. Besides these there were fifty-eight visiting brethren in the unity of the faith. The president's report conveyed the information that the Texas Synod had withdrawn from the Council, and that the Icelandic Synod contemplated union with it at an early day.
This meeting of the General Council proved to be one of the most interesting and important since its existence. Much was set on foot, which if consummated in the future, will mark a new epoch in the his- tory of the Lutheran Church in America.
The following subjects received attention from the Council in which we as a Synod are interested, and some of which demand action by our Synod.
1. Report of the Committee on Conference with the General Synod.
The movement originating with the General Synod in 1893, "looking to a closer co-operation of all Lutheran bodies in this country," resulted in the appointment of a committee on Conference on the part of these two bodies. The resolutions reported by this committee of the Council as the action of the Joint Committee of the two bodies and adopted by the General Council on its part, are as follows:
"1. Resolved, That recognizing the terms of our appointment, the committee are not competent to enter upon the discussion of alleged dif- ferences between the doctrinal basis of the General Synod and the Gen- eral Council.
"2. Resolved, That this assented to, we are ready hopefully to con- sider the following lines of co-operation between the great Lutheran Bodies here represented, and therefore,
"3. Resolved, That on the subject of Home Missions we hereby most respectfully recommend to our respective General Bodies for their adoption the policy that wherever one Body of the Lutheran Church, hereunto consenting, is in occupation of a field, and is shown to be in a reasonable measure able to care for our Lutheran material therein, the other or others shall respect such occupation, and abstain from any at-
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tempt to plant an additional congregation to operate in the same language; and that in case of any disagreement the Home Mission Boards or Com- mittees of the Bodies concerned, shall amicably adjust such differences.
"4. Resolved, On the subject of Foreign Missions, that, recognizing the intimate relations already existing between the missionaries of the dif- ferent Bodies of the Lutheran Church, where laboring in adjoining foreign fields, we encourage them to promote the upbuilding of the one, undi- vided Lutheran Church in their Christianizing efforts.
"5. Resolved, That we deprecate a bitter controversial spirit where- ever found in matters of Religion, and that we heartily disapprove of any appearance of it in our Church Journals, and that we affectionately and sincerely counsel all who write for and those who control our Lutheran papers to abstain from publishing anything that will tend to foster the spirit of partisan division among the brethren of our Lutheran household, and that we counsel them to seek to exalt those things only and especially, which, consistently with our testimony for the purity of our Lutheran faith, will promote the peace and the unity of our great and beloved Lutheran Church.
"6 Resolved, That when these lines of co-operation, or any number of them, shall have been agreed upon by two or more Lutheran Bodies, such action shall be held as a sacred compact between the parties consent- ing thereto, and that we hereby invoke upon this movement for the practi- cal unification of our glorious Church the blessings of Almighty God.
"7 Resolved, That the above action is not to be interpreted as to imply a compromise or surrender of the Bodies represented concerning any point of their doctrinal positions."
The remainder of this Committee's report which was adopted by the Council, and which concerns us, is as follows:
"In offering these resolutions, your Committee suggests that, in case the general plan here proposed meets with approval, we ask:
(a) That where any General Body have congregations, whatever be the language, the establishment of a congregation of another General Body within the territory be not undertaken, unless the Board of Missions of the Body occupying the territory, and the officers of the Synod on the field be first consulted.
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