USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > Minutes twenty-sixth annual convention Chicago Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1896 > Part 3
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(b) That a Committee of Arbitration representing the Bodies that enter into the compact, be constituted, who shall consider all cases where agreement has not been otherwise obtained, and whose decision shall be final.
That these propositions be referred to the Synods of the (c) Council for their adoption.
(d) That this Council heartily approves and recommends the hold-
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ing of a General Conference within the year 1896, whereby, in an unof- ficial way, there may be a reading of papers and a comparison of views by members, if possible, of all our General Bodies, and larger independ- ent Synods, on the various doctrinal, liturgical, educational and mission- ary interests (including that of Deaconesses), in which all are alike en- gaged.
(e) That the Visitors appointed to this Body from the General Synod, the United Synod of the South, and the United Norwegian Synod be requested to act with a representative appointed by this Body to carry this plan into effect."
To this the following was also added:
"Nor shall any established congregation be hindered by this agree- ment from changing the language of its worship, or from establishing a mission in another language within its own parish."
Your Delegation would recommend that this action of the General Council be approved.
2. English Home Mission Work.
With reference to this important work the Council adopted the fol- lowing:
"Resolved, That in view of the great necessities of the case, the Gen- eral Council, in compliance with the request of its Board of English Home Missions, asks the Synods to contribute to this cause at least $20,000 a year for the next two years."
Our portion of this amount was fixed at $1000.
We accept this apportionment as a correct expression of the needs of this work, and as a just proportion of the burden as distributed among the district Synods. While we may not succeed in raising this amount, yet we accept it as the measure of our duty, and express the hope that a strenuous effort will be made to bring our Synod up to this standard. To further this end we most earnestly recommend that our pastors and con- gregations adopt the methods planned by the Board for raising these funds, such as the Lenten Pyramids, the programmes and envelopes pro- vided at the various seasons of the church year. The Board plans the work, let us as pastors and congregations work the plan, and success will be assured. We recommend to our people that they open their churches to the Superintendent of Home Missions, so that he may aid in pressing the cause upon the hearts and consciences of our people.
3. Proposed Plan for the Reorganization of the Home Mission Work of the General Council.
"1. The English and the German Home Mission work of the several Synods shall be transferred to the General Council; and, together with
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that already under its Boards, be conducted by an English and a German Board.
"2. The Swedish work of the Augustana Synod, carried on as hitherto by the Committee of that Synod, shall be reported for record as the work of the Swedish Board of the General Council.
"3. The English and German Boards selected at each Convention of the General Council, while chosen with reference to the centers des- ignated as the headquarters of these Boards, shall be composed of mem- bers representing the several Synods co-operating in the support of the missions under their care. The necessary expenses incurred by the members of the Boards in attendance on their meetings shall be paid.
"4. One or more Superintendents or Secretaries shall be appointed by each Board, who, under its direction, shall have general supervision of the entire field, designate localities where missions may be established, and visit the Synods, Conferences, and congregations, as they may have opportunity.
"5. An Advisory Home Mission Committee shall be elected or ap- pointed by each Synod-or one for each language-with which Com- mittee the Boards shall confer and through which they may act.
"6. Under these Advisory Committees there shall also be appointed Auxiliary Committees in such cities and localities as the importance of the work may demand, say one in New York City, or Albany; one in Western Pennsylvania, at Pittsburgh; one in Ohio, at Lancaster; one in the Chicago Synod, at Chicago; one at Minneapolis, Minn .; and one at Portland, Oregon. The chairman of each of the Advisory Committees shall be a member ex-officio of the General Board under which his Committee is appointed. The chairmen of the several Auxiliary Committees existing within the territory of a Synod shall also be members ex-officio of the Advisory Committee of said Synod.
"7. The gross amount to be expended by each Board shall be deter- mined at each Convention of the General Council, and by it apportioned among the several Synods.
"8. Quarterly statements and annual reviews of the work shall be published by the Boards for the information of the Church. The Boards shall report at each Convention of the General Council."
"Resolved, That it is the sense of this General Council that the en- tire work of Home Missions of the Synods belonging to this body should, as soon as possible, be concentrated in the General Council; and that this declaration, together with the report be referred to the Synods for ex- amination and action, the results to be reported at the next Convention of the General Council."
We recommend that this plan be carefully considered, and such action taken, as Synod in its wisdom may think best.
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4. Official English Weekly Church Paper.
Steps were taken to publish an official English Weekly Church Paper to conserve all the interests of the Church. An editor-in-chief, a managing editor and a staff of correspondents were appointed, besides a committee of Ways and Means, which committee is to issue said paper as soon as a finan- cial guarantee of at least $10,000 is at its disposal. We believe this is a step in the right direction and shall hail with joy the successful establishment of such a paper in and by the Council; we approve this action of the General Council and we recommend that every pastor in our Synod make an earnest effort to give it a wide circulation in his parish.
5. The Sunday School Work.
This subject received such attention as its importance demanded. It was decided to prepare and publish by the first Sunday in Advent, 1896, a series of Sunday School Helps as follows: a two years' series of Biblical History Quarterlies for the scholars; a two years' series of Biblical History Lesson Helps for the teachers; a Calender of Lessons from Scripture, extended over a period of one year, and divided into quarters; a two years' course of Quarterly Scripture Lesson Helps for the teachers; a Les- son Quarterly, containing a three months' course of lessons, questions and explanations for scholars; a cheap paper edition of Luther's Catechism; a one year's Calender of Continuous Scripture Readings.
The following resolution was adopted:
"Resolved, That the General Council recommend to the Synods and congregations the adoption of the proposed plan of Sunday School in- struction."
The Publication Board was also instructed and authorized to publish or secure a fit series of pictures illustrating Old and New Testament His- tory, and also in chart form, the Ten Commandments, the Apostles' Creed, and the Lord's Prayer, for use in Sunday Schools.
Thus a graded course of Sunday School lessons, with means of illus- tration, and helps for teachers, of a strictly Lutheran character, are au- thorized, and now in course of publication. We would therefore recom- mend that Synod approve this action of the Council, and that we urge up- on our pastors and Sunday Schools, the introduction of this Literature into the schools of this Synod.
6. Melanchthon Quarto-Centennial.
The General Council requested that February 16, 1897, being the Quarto-centenary of the birth of Philip Melanchthon, the great theologian of the Reformation, as well as the renowned classical teacher of Germany, be celebrated with appropriate services commemorative of his gifts and services, in all Colleges and theological Seminaries connected with the General Council.
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7. Ordination Certificate.
The Church Book Committee was instructed to issue an Ordination Certificate in English.
Your instruction to this Delegation to ask the General Council to formulate a form of parochial report for the common use of all its Synods, was not presented, because the Council has already taken action on this matter in its Convention at Ft. Wayne. Minutes page 109.
W. A. SADTLER, M. L. WAGNER, D. J. MILLER.
The report was received and considered item by item. The several recommendations were adopted except No. 3, which was deferred until after the adoption of the new Con- stitution.
The report, excepting item 3, was adopted as a whole.
The Chicago Seminary, through Dr. Gerberding, in- vited the Synod to visit the Seminary in a body, Friday after- noon. The invitation was accepted.
Adjourned with prayer by Rev. J. E. Wesner.
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Fifth Session.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1896, 2 P. M.
The session was opened with prayer by Rev. House. Rev. J. Wesner presided. The minutes were read and ap- proved.
Report of Committee on Education. Beneficiary Appropriations.
We, your Committee on Education, would respectfully report that we had a meeting with students J. V. Sappenfield and M. E. Boulton, both of whom are beneficiaries of the Synod, having received aid from its funds the past year. Having received favorable reports of student Sap- penfield's deportment and progress in his studies at Thiel College, and of Student Boulton's at the Chicago Seminary, we would recommend the following:
1. That Synod appropriate $140 to student J. V. Sappenfield, to en- able him to continue his studies at Thiel College the coming year.
2. That $100 dollars be appropriated to student M. E. Boulton to aid him at the Chicago Seminary during the ensuing year.
We herewith also submit the following:
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Revised Plan for Regulating the Beneficiary Education of the Chicago Synod.
1. THE COMMITTEE.
1. The Education Committee shall have charge of the Beneficiary Education of the Chicago Synod. It shall consist of not less than six members, four clerical and two lay.
2. This Committee shall hold a meeting on the second day of the meeting of Synod, at which meeting all applicants must appear in person. When this is impossible, a sub-committee must arrange to have a personal interview.
2. THE OBJECT.
1. The object of Synod in this department of its work, is to aid, not to support young men in preparing for the ministry. The amount of aid to each student, except in cases of most urgent necessity, shall not exceed $125 in each scholastic year, and $150 in each year at the Theological Seminary.
2. Every appropriation made by Synod to applicants, shall be con- sidered as a provisional loan. The student aided shall give at the end of each scholastic year his note, without interest, payable to the treasurer of Synod.
3. When the student has been ordained to the ministry, his notes shall all be exchanged for one, with satisfactory security, and bearing no interest.
4. Should he after ordination, engage in missionary work in the bounds of this Synod, one hundred dollars shall be placed to his credit on the note, at the close of each year thus spent. Otherwise, one-fifth of the amount of the note shall fall due each successive year, until the note is cancelled or paid.
3. REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS OF APPLICANTS.
1. Every applicant for aid must present the written endorsement:
(a) Of his pastor and of the Superintendent of the Sunday School to which he belongs.
(b) Of the instructors of the school or college which he has attended.
(c) Some regular practicing physician.
This endorsement must be in the shape of testimonials as to the worth, religious character, scholarship and health respectively.
2. Every applicant shall also answer in writing the following ques- tions, (the answers to be filed for future reference): 1. Name. 2. Age. 3. Present residence and occupation. 4. Name and residence of parents. 5. State of health. 6. Liability to inherited disease. 7. When and by whom confirmed. 8. Where now a member. 9. Have you communed regularly since your confirmation? 10. Have you been a regular attend-
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ant at church services? 11. What experience have you had in Sunday School, and other church work? 12. Do you read the Bible and pray daily? 13. What are your motives for desiring to study for the ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church? 14. What probable financial re- sources have you upon which you may rely in obtaining an education, and whence are they? 15. Have you any unpaid debts? If so, the amount and for what contracted? 16 Have you earned any money by your own efforts? 17. Are you a member of any secret society? 18. Are you married, or engaged to be married?
3. No applicant shall be received as a beneficiary of this Synod un- less prepared to enter the Freshman class at College; and no applicant shall accept a call to a congregation, or be allowed to marry, until he shall have passed his final examinations at the Theological Seminary.
4. The applicant shall appear before the Education Committee in per- son, at its sitting during the meeting of Synod, and make his application for the aid needed, to supplement what he has earned, or otherwise se- cured for the expense of the next scholastic year
5. If the applicant is judged worthy to receive aid, the Committee shall recommend to Synod the amount to be appropriated for the ensu- ing scholastic year. During the first year he shall be regarded as a pro- bationer.
6. Besides the regular reports of standing at the close of each term, the Faculty of the Institution which he has been attending shall be re- quired to send to the Committee, at the close of each scholastic year, con- fidential answers to the following questions, furnished upon a printed sheet:
(a) Has the deportment of the student been satisfactory?
(b) Does his outward life give the impression that he is a sincere Christian?
(c) Have you knowledge that he is not economical in the use of money?
(d) Is he studious, making good use of his opportunities?
(e) How does he rank in liis class, as shown by the daily grades and examinations?
(f) Is his progress commensurate with his abilities?
(8) Does he give promise that he would become a useful pastor or a successful preacher of the word?
7. If the student's probationary year has shown him to give prom- ise of being a worthy recipient of Synod's aid, he shall be regularly enrolled as one of Synod's beneficiaries, after he shall have signed the general obligation as hereafter follows, two copies of which shall be drawn up and signed, one to be preserved in the archives of Synod, the other to be retained by the student.
8. An order upon the Treasurer of Synod, for one-third of the
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amount of aid granted, shall be sent by the president of the Committee, to each beneficiary upon the first day of November, February and May.
9. Synod shall appropriate $15 per annum, for each beneficiary, to the incidental expense fund of the Theological Seminary, at which they are in attendance.
4. GENERAL OBLIGATIONS OF BENEFICIARIES.
I solmnly declare that it is my serious intention and purpose to pre- pare myself for the Gospel Ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. I, therefore, promise ever to continue faithful to the doctrines and usages of said Evangelical Lutheran Church, as set forth in her Symbols, and as held and practiced by the Chicago Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. I further promise, faithfully and diligently to pursue the studies assigned me, and to observe carefully all the regulations of the College or Seminary in which I may be placed. I also promise to hold no connection with any fraternity or secret society, but by the grace of God to lead a truly Christian life, so long as I am a beneficiary of the Chicago Synod. I promise further, that in case my name be stricken from the roll of beneficiaries for any reason satisfactory to Synod, or if I fail to fulfill any of the promises above made, or, if I depart from the doctrines and usages of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, or if I should be ordained by or connected with any Synod or body, not in doctrinal har- mony and sympathy with this Synod, or if I conclude not to devote my- self to the ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, that I will within three years thereafter repay to this Synod the whole amount of money received therefrom with six per cent interest thereon from date of receiv- ing it.
Signed. Witnesses.
5. FUNDS.
1. The Treasurer of Synod shall keep all money contributed to Synod for Education, as a separate Education Fund, to be applied only for Bene- ficiary Education under order from Synod.
2. The moneys repaid by Beneficiaries shall go into this fund to be used as above specified.
3. These Regulations shall go into force one year after their final adoption.
The report was received and considered item by item.
Items 1 and 2 were adopted. The plan regulating the beneficiary education proposed in the report was ordered to
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be printed in the minutes to be considered at the next con- vention.
Report of Committee on President's Report.
1. Your committee recommend that the official acts of the President be approved.
2. The attention of Synod is directed to the Chicago Seminary as a factor in the development of the Church within our bounds. As we look to this "School of the Prophets" for our future supply of ministers, there should be the fullest recognition of our intimate relation to it. In order to give practical expression to our interest in its prosperity, we would re- spectfully urge all pastors to organize Seminary Aid Socities in their con- gregations. Any one who contributes $5 or more annually, thereby be- comes a member and in return receives the Seminary Record, a quarterly publication designed to keep the friends of the Seminary informed touch- ing all matters that may be of interest to them. By this means the Sem- inary hopes to hold a place in the hearts of those who show their good will by their practical support. Your committee would express the hope that before the end of the ensuing year this Society will have a roll of members in every congregation, proportionate to its financial ability.
3. Another suggestion of the President's report which looks to the future establishment of an academy or college under the fostering care of Synod, touches a matter as yet so far in the future that your committee only recommend the appointment of a committee, to which all proposi- tions looking to the starting of such a work may be referred.
COMMITTEE.
The report was received and considered item by item. The several recommendations were amended and adopted as above.
The consideration of the new Constitution was con- tinued till 4:15, when Synod prepared to visit the Passavant Memorial Hospital.
Adjourned with prayer by Rev. Whitman.
-t- Sixth Session.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1896, 9 A. M.
Rev. Sappenfield opened the meeting with prayer. The
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roll was called and the minutes were approved. Delegate, John E. Rode, was excused from further attendance.
The Report of Committee on Apportionments.
Home Missions.
Foreign Missions.
Educa- tion.
Synod. Expenses.
Total.
Whitestown, St. James'.
22 00
4 00
10 00
4 00
40 00
St. Mark's.
22 00
4 00
10 00
4 00
40 00
Salem.
22 00
4 00
10 00
4 00
40 00
Lutheran Union.
2 75
50
1 25
50
5 00
Syracuse, St. Paul's.
Emanuel
9 35
1 70
4 25
1 70
17 00
Syracuse
9 35
1 70
4 25
1 70
17 00
Alamo, Emanuel.
4 40
80
2 00
80
8 00
..
Philadelphia.
3 30
60
1 50
60
6 00
=
Phanuel.
6 60
1 20
3 00
1 20
12 00
Colburn, St. John's
11 55
2 10
5 25
2 10
21 00
Zion's.
12 10
2 20
5 50
2 20
22 00
Bethel
8 80
1 60
4 00
1 60
16 00
East Germantown, Zion's.
22 00
4 00
10 00
4 CO
40 00
=
St. Jacob's
10 70
1 95
4 90
1 95
19 50
St. John's
12 10
2 20
5 50
2 20
22 00
Rochester, St. Paul's
14 80,
2 60
6 50
2 60
26 50
St. John's
14 85
2 70
6 75
2 70
27 00
Mulberry, Zion's.
22 00
4 00
10 00
4 00
40 00
Fairhaven
16 50
3 00
7 50
3 00
30 00
8 25
1 50
3 75
1 50
15 00
8 25
1 50
3 75
1 50
15.00
Corydon, Mt. Solomon
13 75
2 50
6 25
2 50
25 00
Gila, Union
22 00
4 00
10 00
4 00
40 00
Portland, Zion's.
5 50
1 00
2 50
1 00
10 00
Frankfort, St. Paul's
16 50
3 00
7 50
3 00
30 00
Decatur, First English.
20 55
3 75
9 45
3 75
37 50
Clermont, St. James'
16 50
3 00
7 50
3 00
30 00
Goshen, First English
22 00
4 00
10 00
4 00
40 00
Chicago, Holy Trinity
55 00
10 00
25 00
10 00
100 00
St. John's
8 25
1 50
3 75
1 50
15 00
St. Mark's.
8 25
1 50
3 75
1 50
15 00
St. Peter's.
2 75
50
1 25
50
5 00
Vandalia, St. James'
11 00
2 00
5 00
2 00
20 00
Anderson, St. John's
12 10
2 20
5 50
2 20
22 00
Ovid, St. John's
5 50
1 00
2 50
1 00
10 00
Ft. Wayne, Trinity
113 75
22 50
55 25
22 50
225 00
Total
604 20 111 60289 10111 60 1116 50
RECOMMENDATION.
Your Committee would respectfully recommend that another Jubilee Committee be appointed and that the efforts to raise the Jubilee Fund be continued.
THE COMMITTEE.
7 15
1 30
3 25
1 30
13 00
Newberry, St. Peter's.
Mt. Zion
"
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The report was received and adopted.
The consideration of the Constitution was continued.
At 11:30, Synod met in private session to consider the case of Rev. A. W. Walter. The decisions reached are re- corded in the written protocol of this session.
Dr. Wagenhals was excused from further attendance. Adjourned with prayer by Rev. Swickard.
Seventh Session.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1896, 2 P. M. The meeting was opened with prayer by Rev. Dunn. The minutes were read and approved.
Report of Committee on Home Missions.
Your Committee would note with pleasure the full account given by our Missionary Director of the six missions supported by the General Council within our Synod's bounds, and would heartily rejoice that they are in a fairly prosperous condition; we should not however be satisfied with the work we have already in hand but should pursue a more aggres- sive missionary policy in the future, by reaching out and endeavoring to organize other missions, so that the dark places within the bounds of our territory, now full of the habitations of cruelty, may become the dwelling places of righteousness and the abodes of peace and plenty.
1. Your Committee would commend and reiterate the recommenda- tions of our Missionary Director, that Mission Leagues and Ladies' Home and Foreign Missionary Societies be organized in all our parishes for the furtherance of our Home Mission work, and that Harvest Home Services, partaking of the nature of a thanksgiving service, be held wherever deemed advisable, at which thank-offerings may be made for the cause of Home and Foreign Missions.
2. Your Committee would recommend that the Reformation, Epiph- any, and Lenten seasons be observed by the various parishes and Sunday Schools within our bounds and that envelopes and Lenten pyramids be placed in the hands of our members and Sunday School scholars, and that these offerings be made to further the work of Home and Foreign Missions.
3. That the Synod approves of the plan to concentrate the whole work of Home Missions in the bounds of the General Council under three Boards, English, German, and Swedish, as a desirable one towards which
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the efforts of the General Council should be aimed until consummated.
4. (a) That inasmuch as this Synod has no representation on the Board controlling the missions within its limits, a Committee on Home Missions be constituted to supervise and provide for special mission work, until such time as the plans proposed by the General Council shall go in- to effect.
(b) That this Committee shall consist of five clergymen and four lay- men who shall be elected annually by the Synod. They shall elect their own officers and shall have authority, for the carrying on of its work, to make all necessary rules and regulations not in conflict with the rules and regulations of this Synod.
(c) That there shall be three regular meetings of this Committee, and as many more as may be deemed necessary.
(d) That this Committee shall report annually to the Synod.
(e) That the Synod appropriate to this Committee an amount suffi- cient for the carrying on of its missionary operations.
(f) That this Committee on Home Missions encourage the formation of Auxiliary Committees in such cities and localities as the importance of the work may demand, in order that greater missionary work may be carried on.
5. That the petition of St. Peter's Lutheran Church of Chicago for aid to carry on its very important missionary work, be referred to this Home Mission Committee.
The report was received and considered item by item. The several recommendations were adopted.
Report of Committee on Works of Mercy.
1. Your Committee held a public service on Tuesday evening devoted to the special subject of charitable work. Rev. W. K. Frick of Milwaukee made the address. The offerings amounted to $9. We recommend that these offerings be given to the Passavant Memorial Hospital, Superior street, Chicago, Mrs. L. B. Waters, superintendent. We feel that a more general interest should be taken in this institution of mercy located on our territory.
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