USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > Minutes twenty-sixth annual convention Chicago Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1896 > Part 4
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We call attention to the fact that the Thursday before Thanksgiving day is Donation day at the Hospital and at this time, and at all times, contribu- tions in money, jellies, imperishable foods, towels, and materials for bed- ding will be most gratefully received.
2. We rejoice to report that Miss Mary E. Bowman of our Synod is faith- fully continuing her course as deaconess at the Milwaukee Mother-House, and that she has already given proof of her calling by serving as a sub- stitute in the Jacksonville Hospital.
We recommend that all our pastors frequently call the attention of
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their people to the great importance of the Deaconess work by preaching on the subject, distributing appropriate literature, and otherwise; and that they endeavor to enlist the interest and service of our young women who have the proper qualifications for this blessed work.
3. The members of our Synod and of our congregations should not for- get that on our whole territory, covering two states and the lower pinin- sula of Michigan, we make no provision for the care of the orphan and the aged.
G. D. GROSS, WM. J. FINCK,
G. H. GERBERDING,
J. D. FRITCH,
N. D. Myers.
The report was received and its recommendations adopted.
Report of Committee on Foreign Missions.
Your Committee would respectfully report that they corresponded with the superintendent of Foreign Missions, Rev. J. Telleen, with the pur- pose of having this important cause presented by him during this con- vention of Synod, but on account of his absence in the West, he was un- able to be with us, and no Foreign Mission service was held.
We would further state, that while the Treasurer's report for 1895 shows an increase of $180.22 over the previous year, the total amount re- ceived this year is only $159.79, showing a decrease of one hundred dol- lars, a fact which your Committee reports with much sorrow.
C. KOERNER,
WM. J. FINCK, FRANK C. OBERLY, A. D. CRILE.
The report was received and adopted.
Resolution of Thanks.
Resolved, That we hereby tender the thanks of Synod to the pastor and members of the congregation for the kind hospitality with which they have received and kept us, and for the use of the church for our meetings; to the organist and choir for help rendered at our special services; and to the janitor and assistant janitor for their kindness and favors shown in opening the house for our meetings.
Resolved, That the pastor make this resolution known to his kind people at the next public service.
On motion, it was decided that the file of minutes of the Indiana Synod, presented to this body and now in the
1
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hands of the Archivarius, be substantially bound and pre- served in the archives.
Rev. Dunn and lay delegates Boulton, Fritch and Myers were excused from further attendance.
A Committee to nominate candidates for the Home Mis- sion Committee, consisting of Rev. McMurray, Dr. Sadtler, and Mr. Miller, was appointed.
Invitations to hold the next Convention of Synod were received from the following congregations: St. Peter's, New- berry; Zion's, Mulberry; St. Mark's, Whitestown. The invi- vitation of St. Peter's congregation was accepted.
It was resolved to devote to the Home Mission work of the General Council, $600.00; to the Home Mission Com- mittee of Synod, $200.00; to Education $240.00
At 4:30, Synod prepared to visit the Chicago Lutheran Seminary and for convenience it was decided to hold the evening session in St. Mark's chapel near the Seminary grounds.
Adjourned with prayer by Rev. Frick.
Eighth Session.
ST. MARK'S CHAPEL, LAKEVIEW, CHICAGO,
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1896, 7:30 P. M.
The meeting was called to order by President Sadtler. The minutes were read and approved.
A committee to receive proposals for the establishment of an educational institution consisting of Revs. Wagner and Wesner, and Mr. Crile, was appointed by the President.
The consideration of the new Constitution was continued and completed. It was finally adopted as a whole; where- upon it was
Resolved, That this Constitution shall be transcribed into a book provided for that purpose, and shall be sub-
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scribed to by every minister and congregation (through its delegate) received into connection with Synod.
It was decided to print the constitution as an appendix to the minutes and to bind 1000 copies separately in pam- phlet form.
On motion, the Secretary was allowed $25.00 for clerical services in connection with the printing, distribu- tion and transcribing of the minutes and Constitution.
The report of the Nomination Committee, for members of the Home Mission Committee, was received and from the names proposed the following were elected: clerical, Revs. McMurray, Clay, Sadtler, Wagner and Gerberding; lay, Messrs. Melander, Miller, Myers and Johnson.
It was resolved that the quorum of this Committee con- sist of three clerical members and as many lay members as are present.
Rev. E. N. Heimann, Jewish Missionary in Chicago, ad- dressed the members of Synod in behalf of the cause he re- presents; whereupon it was decided that the pastors com- mend this important work to the consideration and liberality of their congregations.
The Historical Jubilee Committee was continued. Dr. Sadtler and Mr. Crile were added to the Financial Jubilee Committee.
Dr. Stirewalt was directed to draft and transmit for publication in the minutes a
Resolution of Thanks.
Resolved, That the thanks of this Synod are due, and are hereby heartily tendered, to the ladies of the congregation of St. Mark's Evangel- ical Lutheran Church, Lakeview, Chicago, for the excellent repast they gave us this evening in their chapel.
The President announced the committees for the ensu- ing year.
Standing Committees.
EXAMINATION-Revs. S. Wagenhals, D. D., M. J. Stirewalt, D. D., C. Koerner, and M. L. Wagner.
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FOREIGN MISSIONS-Revs. C. Koerner, Wm. J. Finck and F. C. Oberly.
HOME MISSIONS-Revs. H. L. McMurray, M. L. Wagner, G. H. Ger- berding, D. D., A. T. Clay, Ph. D., W. A. Sadtler, Ph. D., and Messrs. M. L. Melander, D. J. Miller, N. D. Myers, M. D., and Nels Johnson.
EDUCATION-Revs. J. Wesner, W. R. Swickard, M. L. Wagner and G. D. Gross.
BENEVOLENCE-Revs. G. D. Gross, Wm. J. Finck and G. H. Gerber- ding, D. D.
DISCIPLINE-Revs. F. C. Oberly, Jesse Dunn, A. V. House, and W. R. Swickard.
RECEPTION OF CONGREGATIONS-Revs. A. V. House, J. M. G. Sappen- field, and Jesse Dunn.
PAROCHIAL REPORTS AND APPORTIONMENTS-Revs. M. L. Wagner, W. R. Swickard, and J. Wesner.
Special Committees.
SILVER JUBILEE COMMITTEE-Historical, Revs. S. Wagenhals, D. D., M. J. Stirewalt, D. D., J. Wesner, M. L. Wagner and A. V. House. Financial, Rev. W. A. Sadtler, Ph. D., and Messrs. A. D. Crile and D. J. Miller.
ESTABLISHMENT OF AN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION-Revs. M. L. Wag- ner, J. Wesner and Mr. A. D. Crile.
Regular Committees
needed for the work of the Convention will hereafter be appointed at the beginning of each annual meeting.
The Time of the Next Convention
was fixed for the Tuesday of the last full week of Septem- ber, 1897, beginning at 10:00 A. M.
The minutes of this session were read and approved.
The Twenty-sixth Convention of Synod was formally closed by the President according to the Order prescribed in the Church Book.
"And let it be our part to stand fast in the love of Christ, that, when he cometh in His glory, we may rejoice before Him with exceeding joy."
WM. J. FINCK, Secretary of the Chicago Synod.
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Religious Services.
TUESDAY MORNING:
Opening Service. Liturgical Service by Rev. M. L. Wagner. Synodical Sermon by the President, Rev. W. A. Sadtler, Ph. D., on Romans XII:11. Preparatory Service and Holy Communion. TUESDAY EVENING: Works of Mercy.
Opening Service by Rev. Wm. J. Finck.
Sermon by Rev. Wm. K. Frick, President of the Synod of the Northwest, "The Various Forms of Works of Mercy." Offerings for the Benevolent work of Synod. Closing Service by Rev. G. D. Gross.
WEDNESDAY EVENING:
Home Missions.
Liturgical Service by Rev. H. L. McMurray.
Sermon by Rev. J. E. Whitteker, Superintendent of General Council Home Missions. Offerings for the Home Mission work of the Council. THURSDAY EVENING:
Silver Jubilee Celebration. Liturgical Service by Rev. Wm. K. Frick. Addresses by Revs. M. L. Wagner, J. Wesner, M. L. Stirewalt, D. D., and S. Wagenhals, D. D. (See Program on page 22.)
PAROCHIAL REPORT OF CHICAGO SYNOD.
ACCESSIONS.
LOSSES.
Index Number.
Pastors and Pastorates.
Congrega- tions.
Confirmed Members.
Communed during
Infant Baptisms.
Catechumens.
By Adult Baptism.
By Confirmation.
From Luth. Con.
From other Con.
By Restoration.
By Removal.
| By Exclusion.
1
Lutheran Union
15
2 Whitestown, Rev. M. J. Stirewalt, D. D. 3
St. Mark's.
200
7
3
3
·
4
Salem. .
113
1 ·
5
St. Paul's.
35
26
54
45
6Syracuse, Rev. J. Dunn 7
Syracuse ..
40
29
8
Emanuel . . .
40
30|
2
3
2
5
6
9 Alamo, Rev. R. L. Bame 10
Philadelphia . . .
16
15
11
St. John's. . .
70
60
8
3
6
1
I
12 Colburn, Rev. G. D. Gross ..
Zion's ..
49
49
8
5
3
1
13
Bethel
48
40
1 ...
7
1|
2 .
2
·
1
201 11
11
1. . ......... || 2| 1| ..
·
. .
. .
·
·
.
3
Emanuel .
Phanuel. .
58
45
1
·
··
St. James'.
113
·
the year.
By Death.
·
14
Zion's ..
57
39
1
. .
15 East Germantown, Rev. A. V. House ..
St. Jacob's.
35
37
3
2
2
16
St. John's. .
29
35|
7.
1
2
1
1
17 Rochester, Rev. A. E. Gift. .. 18
St. John's.
54
52
1
. .
19 Newberry, Rev. Isaiah Whitman.
Mt. Zion ..
38
2
14
3
Zion's. ..
130
120
3 20
1
7
1
21 Mulberry, Rev. J. Wesner
Fairhaven .
114
100
4
4
4
23
Anderson, Rev. Wm. J. Finck.
St. John's. .
25
13 3
1
4
4.
6
1
4
26 Gila, Rev. J. M. G. Sappenfield .
Union . . .
185
151
7
4
2
1|
.
27|Clermont, Rev. J. M. G. Sappenfield, *.. St. James'
123
112
4 14
6
19|
1
4 1.
28 Corydon, Rev. J. M. G. Sappenfield, *. Mt. Solomon .
126 113
3
2
1
511
29 Portland, Rev. W. R. Swickard.
Zion's. . .
34
40
4
.
31 Decatur, Rev. F. C. Oberly ..
First English .
103
73|
10
10
6, 3.
23 2
32 Chicago, Rev. W. A. Sadtler, Ph. D .. . St. John's.
44
40
5
9
. .
2 2 ..
33 Chicago, L. Hogshead,t ..
St. Peter's. .
22
2
8
34 Chicago, Rev. C. Koerner,
. Holy Trinity .
457
280
22 27
2 27
13 2 ..
716 4
35|Chicago, Rev. A. T. Clay, Ph. D.t
St. Mark's. .
50
6
1
12 34 3 ..
36 Goshen, Rev. J. A. Leas,S.
. First English . .
156
138
4 ·
1 1
...
16
1
225 3
Total.
3576 1946 159 130 47 164 10729
2 5088 18
Last year.
3428 1699 148 209 31 103 5718 .
1 4466 1
·
61
5
...
. ..
110 6
30 Vandalia, Rev. M. L. Wagner. .
St. James'.
82
61
11| .
·
1 1
·
7
1
1. ..
3 3
37 Ft. Wayne, Rev. S. Wagenhals, D. D .. Holy Trinity
.
561
...
. .
St. John's.
44
5
3
1
1
24
25 Frankfort, Rev. D. L. Reese.
St. Paul's.
94
1
St. Peter's.
57 .
20
St. Paul's. . .
94
111
·
* Supply. + Student, Report for four months.
İ For seven months. § Report for eight months.
.
·
...
19 26
6 25
2
22
8
3
SUNDAY SCHOOLS.
BENEFICENCE.
Index Number. Number.
Scholars.
Income.
Estimated value of
Church Property.
Total Local Current
Home Missions.
Foreign Missions.
Education.
Synod. Expenses.
Church Extension.
Orphan Work.
Educational Institu-
Other Benevolence
Total Beneficence.
Total Expenditures.
:
2 1
9
40
12.00|
3000 255.50
8.00
30.81
38.81]
294.31
3
1
10
70
12.00
4000
240.00
4
6
40
5.00
4000
255.00
10.00
15.00
43.27
323.27
5
1800 ·
11.00
2.00
2.00
2.00
8.70
25.70
25.70
6
· 140.00
10.50
2.00
2.00
2.00
10.66
26.66
166.66
7
144.75
10.50
2.00
2.00
2.00
5.00
21.00
165.75
9
1
9
49
7.91
2600 800
600.00
7.50
1.50
1.50
1.50
1.00
35
13.35
613.35
10
1
9
45
15.80
3.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
6.00
6.00
11|
1
11
60
20.00
1500
201.45
14.00
3.00
2.00
2.00
21.00
222.45
12
9
62
11.27
2000
240.00
7.00
7.00
247.00
13
1
12
49
56.50
1800
153.55
8.20
1.11
2.00
11.31
164.86
14|
7
40
20.00
2500
270.00
8.20
1.70
1.33
1.70
23.50
1.00
37.43
306.43
15| 1|
8
40
8.00|
2000
200.00
13.00
2.50
2.00
2.00
3.50|
23.00
243.00
8
1
8
34
1.14
400
218.47
2.50
2.50
220.97
12.00
27.00
267.00
1
Teachers & Officers.
Expenses.
tions.
and Missions.
1
1
16 1 7
30
15.00 7.00
3000| 4000
225.00
15.00
2.50
2.00| 2.50
3.90
26.40
251.40
17 1
5
40
14.15
14.15
18 .
.
19 1 12
100
17.88
1600
215.00
11.00
1.50
1.00
1.50
6.00
10.00
31.00
246.00
20 1
10
50
20.00
1000
431.34
12.00
3.00
2.00
3.00
5.00
25.00
456.44
21
1)
24
180
85.44
8500
528.90
76.00
65.00
4.00
5.00
150.00
678.90
22
1
9
90
13.08
6000
419.20
20.00
3.50
3.00
3.50
30.00
449.20
23|
11
75
53.00
5500 2000
509.00
16.00
5.55
2.00
2.00
8.32
12.05
45.92
554.92
24 .
.
9.55
75.55
25 1 12
93
3000
411.00
20.00
3.50
3.00
3.50
30.00
441.00
26| 1|
7
40
6.00
1800
230.00
26.20
26.20
256.50
27 1 11
150
21.00
2000
200.00
16.00
3.00
3.00
3.00
25.00
225.00
28|
1200
180.00
11.18
12.75
23.93
203.93
29 1 7
25
31.58
800
401.58
9.00
6.47
2.00
2.00
2.50
21.97
423.55
30 1 11 136
260.86
12500
2842.33
14.00
2.00
2.00
2.00
22.69
42.69
2885.02
31|
2
19| 200
100.00
26200
630.00
25.00!
5.00
9.00
3.50
22.90
91.91
721.91
32| 1|
5
40
25.00
8000
150.00
9.00
2.00
5.00
2.00
37.88
55.88
205.88
33| 1|
12
158
20.00
75
164.00
50.00
12.30
34
1
23 355
52000| 2600.00
160.00 120.00 342.30
2942.30
35
1
15 210
36 1
21
120
89.00
12000
700.00
26.00
5.00
5.00
4.00
25.00
65.00
765.00
37 1 24
250
184.00
50000
3158.00
190.00
25.00
20.00 10.00
25.00 75.00 400.00 100.00 845.00
4003.00
31 3432871 1131.06 233575 17980.07
29 317|1524 1620.57 21630025129.37
84.19 86.00 637.90 397.51 2207.51 19246.56 666.66 186.52 76.83 63.20 563.77| 157.40| 334.80 74.00 125.90 94.59 252.60| 120.35 856.81 26722.73
14.15
6000
11.58
3.58
11.58
15.16
66.00
1.65
1.65
6.25
·
15.51 11.00
164.00
1|
.
CONSTITUTION
Adopted at the Twenty-Sixth Convention, in Holy Trinity Church, Chicago, Illinois, September 22-25, 1896.
ARTICLE 1. THE NAME.
The name of this Synod shall be The Chicago Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and shall include within its bounds the States of Indiana, Illinois and the Southern Peninsula of Michigan.
ARTICLE II. THE FAITH.
This Synod confesses that the canonical Books of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, given by inspiration of the Holy Ghost, and are the clear, only, and sufficient rule of Faith; that the three general Creeds, the Apostles', the Nicene, and the Athanasian, exhibit the faith of the Church Universal, in accordance with this rule; that the Unaltered Augsburg Confession is, in all its parts, in harmony with the rule of faith, and is a correct exhibition of doctrine; and that the Apology, the two Catechisms of Luther, the Smalcald Articles, and the Formula of Concord, are a faithful development and defense of the doctrine of the Word of God, and of the Augsburg Confession.
All questions concerning the faith and practice of the Church, and administrations of the Sacraments, shall be decided in accordance with this rule and with this Confession.
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP.
This Synod shall consist of such ordained Lutheran ministers, and such parishes, in unity with the faith defined in Article II., as are, or shall be, regularly received into its connection, as hereinafter provided.
49
ARTICLE IV.
DUTIES AND POWERS.
The objects, duties, and powers of this Synod shall be: To maintain and perpetuate the preaching of the Word of God and the right adminis- tration of the Holy Sacraments; to uphold proper discipline, promote good order, and cultivate unity of spirit, harmony of action, and charity among its members; to devise and execute plans for the education and multiplica- tion of a godly and efficient ministry; to ordain fit men to the holy office, and to suspend or depose those who dishonor it by false teaching or a wicked life; at its discretion, to receive and act on questions of doctrine, worship, duty or discipline; to see that the provisions of its Constitution, laws, agreements and resolutions are duly observed; to examine and de- cide on charges regularly preferred against its members; to prosecute the work of missions at home and abroad; to establish and foster institutions for education and for the relief of poverty and suffering, especially among orphans and widows, and the families of disabled or deceased ministers; to solicit, receive, hold, and disburse funds for these and other charitable, educational and church purposes; to receive and dismiss ministers and congregations; to exercise supervision over all its ministers, congregations and institutions; and to determine its connection and relations with other ecclesiastical bodies.
The Synod shall have power, with the consent of the congregations concerned, to alter existing pastoral charges and to constitute new ones; and no pastor shall arbitrarily add to a charge, or divide it, or give up part of it, without the approval of Synod.
ARTICLE V. MEETINGS OF SYNOD.
SEC. 1. The Synod shall meet annually, at such time and place as it may determine, and no member shall absent himself without good cause, and the offering of a written excuse.
SEC. 2. At least four weeks' notice of all meetings shall be given through the Church papers by the Secretary.
SEC. 3. Special meetings may be called at any time by the President, when requested by a majority of the ministers of Synod, and the time and place of the meeting of Synod, as determined by Synod, may be changed by the officers of Synod, in extraordinary cases.
ARTICLE VI.
OFFICERS.
SEC. 1. The officers of this Synod shall be a President, a Secretary and a Treasurer. They shall be elected at the opening of each annual con- vention of the Synod, and only ordained mininsters shall be eligible to
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the offices of President and Secretary. They shall be elected by ballot, and a majority of all the votes cast shall be necessary to an election. The President may not be elected more than three times in succession, but a two-thirds majority shall be necessary for a third election.
SEC. 2. These officers shall be entitled to the necessary expenses in- cident to the duties of their offices, and to such remuneration as the Synod may from time to time deem just, and direct to be paid them.
ARTICLE VII. DUTIES OF OFFICERS-PRESIDENT.
SEC. 1. He shall preach the Synodical sermon at the opening of each annual meeting of the Synod, or have it done by another clerical member of the Synod.
SEC. 2. At each annual meeting he shall present a written report of all his official acts during the synodical year; also of any important events which have occurred touching the Synod, together with any suggestions, or recommendations which he may deem proper to submit.
SEC. 3. He shall preside at the meetings of the Synod and see that the Constitution, laws and decisions of the Synod be obeyed and its resol- utions carried into effect.
SEC. 4. He shall have the oversight of all the ministers and congre- gations connected with the Synod, and they shall have due regard for all his official requests, counsels, recommendations and directions.
SEC. 5. To him, also, shall belong the right of pastoral visitation of the churches belonging to the Synod; to confer and advise with pastors and people respecting the work, wants and interests of the church and their own welfare.
SEC. 6. He shall have oversight of all vacant parishes in the Synod, and as soon as informed of such vacancy, he shall at once proceed, either by visitation or otherwise, to aid the parish in securing a pastor, and see that, as far as possible, it be supplied with ministerial service during the interval.
SEC. 7. He shall install all ministers taking charge of parishes or missions in this Synod; also officiate at the laying of corner-stones, and the consecration of churches. He may, however, appoint another clerical member of this body to perform these offices in his stead.
SEC. 8, In connection with the pastor of the church in which the Synod convenes, he shall designate the persons to fill the appointments not otherwise provided for.
Sec. 9. Should the President resign, depart this life, cease to have connection with Synod, remove beyond its bounds, or be unable to attend to the duties of his office, the Secretary of the Synod shall act as President
04.1
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pro tem. and shall exercise all the rights and perform all the functions of the office until his successor has been elected.
SECRETARY.
SEC. 1. The Secretary shall keep a correct register of the ministers belonging to the Synod, with the dates of their entrance into the Minis- try, and their places of residence; also a register of the congregations con- nected with tlie Synod, and of the lay delegates appointed to represent them.
SEC. 2. He shall keep an accurate record of the proceedings of the Synod, read the minutes at the proper time during its conventions, attend to their publication, and make a careful and correct entry of them into the Protocol.
SEC. 3. He shall likewise prepare and have present at each annual meeting of the Synod a book containing the Constitution and By-laws, wherein all candidates ordained, and all ministers received into member- ship with this body shall subscribe their names.
SEC. 4. At the conclusion of each meeting of the Synod, after the minutes have been made out and recorded, the Secretary shall classify and arrange all important papers or documents, hand them to the Synod to be deposited in the archives, together with lists of what is so deposited. He shall place in the archives not less than five copies of the published min- utes, as soon as issued each year.
SEC. 5. Should the Secretary resign, depart this life, or remove from the bounds of the Synod, the President shall appoint a Secretary pro tem.
TREASURER.
SEC. 1. The Treasurer shall receive and disburse all the funds of the Synod. He shall be responsible for the safe-keeping of all funds and evidences of interest and indebtedness belonging to the Synod, and hold the same at all times subject to its order.
SEC. 2. At each annual meeting he shall render a full and detailed report to Synod of all the receipts and disbursements pertaining to the several accounts in his hands, together with a summary of the same and his vouchers.
SEC. 3. Should he resign, depart this life, or remove from the bounds of the Synod, the President, with the consent of the Secretary, shall ap- point a Treasurer pro tem.
ARTICLE VIII. MINISTERS.
SEC. 1. Ministerial members of this body become such by ordination or transfer, as provided for in Article XII.
SEC. 2. Every minister belonging to this Synod shall conform his
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preaching and teaching to the confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, as set forth in Article II. of this Constitution. Every pastor shall preach the Word and administer the Sacraments, care for, and be an example and guide to the flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made him overseer; give catechetical instruction to the young and to candidates for church membership; baptize, confirm, visit the sick, bury the dead, install regularly elected members of the Church Council, and together with the Council, administer discipline, oversee the Sunday and other schools be- longing to the congregation, and use his best endeavors to extend and build up the Church in the community in which he is located as Pastor.
SEC. 3. Every pastor shall keep accurate parcchial records of all bap- tisms and confirmations; of members received, dismissed, deceased, dropped from the roll, or expelled; and of marriages and burials, together with the names of all the communicant members of his charge; and annually furnish to Synod such matter as may be required for the Parochial report.
SEC. 4. No minister belonging to this Synod shall be permitted to preach or perform any ministerial act within the parish of a member of this Synod, except at his request or with his consent, nor shall he .by visi- tation or otherwise, seek to alienate his members, neither shall he be per- mitted to do so in a vacant parish except by invitation of the Church Council, or by the advice or consent of the President of Synod, unless it be in case of special emergency; otherwise he shall be subject to discipline.
SEC. 5. Every minister receiving and accepting a call to be the pastor of a parish belonging to this Synod shall inform the President of the Synod of the fact and apply to him to be regularly installed; but no pas- tor shall be installed until he has been regularly received into the Synod, except with the written consent of the President of the Synod which con- sent may be given if the minister belong to a Synod connected with the General Council.
SEC. 6. Should a pastor deem it his duty to resign his charge, he shall duly inform the Church Council a reasonable length of time before vacating his place, and when his final decision is made, he shall at once report the same to the President of the Synod.
SEC. 7. It shall be the duty of all ministers belonging to this Synod to refrain from membership with any societies or orders for moral and religi- ous ends which do not rest on God's Word, or do not recognize the Lord Jesus Christ as the God-man and only Mediator between God and man, or which teach doctrines or have usages or forms of worship condemned in the Holy Scriptures and our Lutheran Confessions, or which assume to themselves what God has committed to His church and its ministers, es- pecially, every such society or order as requires undefined obligations to be assumed by oath without divine warrant, and any minister belong-
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