USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > Minutes twenty-sixth annual convention Chicago Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1896 > Part 9
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Sunday, July 24, Rev. Loran O. Pearch was installed as Pastor of Mt. Solomon's Church, at Corydon, Ind. Rev. I. Whit- man gave the charge to the people and your President the charge . to the Pastor.
About September 1, Rev. A. C. Anda, of Tacoma, Wash., sent in an official notice of his acceptance of the pastorate of the First English Lutheran Church of Goshen, Indiana, stating that he ex- pected to take charge in October.
September 7, an official letter was received from the President
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of the Synod of the Northwest, transferring Rev. Mr. Anda from that Synod to ours. The letter is herewith submitted.
Corner Stone Laying.
Sunday, July 31, the corner stone of St. Matthew's English Lutheran Church, Flournoy street, near West Forty-seventh, Chi- cago, was laid. Addresses were delivered by Drs. Clay, Sadtler and Roth. Your President laid the corner stone.
Dedications.
Sunday, February 6, Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church in Porter County, Indiana, was consecrated to the Triune God, your President officiating.
Sunday, September 4, Emanuel English Lutheran Church of Scott Township. Kosciusko County, was duly consecrated. Ser- mons were preached by Rev. Jesse Dunn, a former Pastor, and your President.
Sunday, September 18, St. Matthew's English Lutheran Church, Chicago, was consecrated by the Pastor, Rev. George P. Kabele. He was assisted by the Rev. Drs. Weidner and Clay, and the Rev. C. Weswig and A. D. Crile.
In the matter of the Rev. C. K. Drumheller, your President, carried out the instruction given at the last convention of Synod. Mr. Drumheller declined the Synod's proposition and asked for a letter of dismissal. This your President had no authority to grant. He then wrote declaring his withdrawal "from the Chi- cago Synod and from the whole Lutheran Church." This letter, as well as others, included also peremptory demands on the Synod and dire threats in case of non-compliance. The correspondence and other documents are herewith submitted.
Dr. Stirewalt's Affliction.
We have all been saddened by the recent sore affliction that has befallen our beloved Brother, Rev. Dr. Stirewalt. We shall sadly miss his genial presence and wise counsels. While we all pray for his speedy recovery, we also invoke the peace of God that passeth all understanding upon him and his household.
Jewish Missions.
A communication has been handed to your President by our Jewish Missionary of Chicago, Rev. E. N. Heimann, praying that
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our Synod take a regular and systematic interest in the work of the "Lutheran Mission among Israel in Chicago."
The communication is signed by the members of the committee having this work in charge and representing these Synods: August- ana, Pittsburgh, United Norwegian, Iowa, Chicago and Hauge.
The communication is herewith submitted.
Visitation.
Your President has officially visited and preached in all the- parishes of Synod except one. He has thus endeavored to become acquainted to some extent with the true state and condition of the churches. He has everywhere met with a kind reception. In general the pastors are doing faithful and efficient work. There seems to be a growing consciousness of the relation of the parish to the Synod, a better understanding of the general interest and work of the church and an increasing willingness to contribute more freely to these interests.
But with all this there are serious hindrances and drawbacks. The spirit of materialism, indifferentism, skepticism, and general worldliness threatens our churches. The secret society, with its unscriptural teaching and practice, is in many places eating out the true doctrine and life among our people.
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Your President would most earnestly call the attention of all our pastors to Art. VIII., Sec. 7, of our Constitution. It must not remain a dead letter.
In a number of charges the public services are too infrequent. No congregation can be properly developed and built up with divine service on but one Lord's Day out of three, four or five. The normal condition is to have at least one service and a Sunday school session every Sunday. Catechising and Sunday school work are sadly neglected in some parishes.
What we need is a more earnest spirit of consecration and de- votion in our ministers, a more intelligent understanding of the doctrines, practices and history of our Lutheran Church among our people, and, above all, a deeper spirit of a sound and stead- fast piety in their hearts. To these ends let us all pray and labor.
As helps toward these ends your President offers the following
Recommendations.
1. That a committee be appointed to take into consideration the advisability of the redistricting and dividing of some of the
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pastoral charges, with a view to giving the people more frequent service, better catechisation and more pastoral care.
2. The organization of Luther Leagues, under the supervision of the Pastor, and the diligent study of the Reading Course.
3. That at all the Synodical and Conference Communions, the officiating ministers wear the official robe and that at the opening of every morning session the Matin Service be used and the Vesper Service in the evenings.
4. That in order that we may have our ordinations in con- nection with our annual conventions, we change the time of meet- ing of Synod from fall to spring.
5. That a committee be appointed to procure blanks of ordi- nation certificates, letters of dismissal for pastors and church members.
Respectfully submitted,
G. H. GERBERDING.
The report was received to be referred to the proper committee upon its appointment.
The report of the Committee on By-laws was received and considered section by section. Paragraph two of the second Article, treating of the Committee on Education, was referred back to the committee. Section two of the third Article was laid on the table until the report of the Committee on President's Report be heard. It was decided that as far as adopted, the by-laws guide the proceedings of the present Convention.
The hours for beginning and closing the sessions of Synod were arranged as follows: For opening, 9 a. m., I:30 and 7:30 p. m .; for closing, 11:30 a. m. and 4:30 p. m.
The pastor loci, Rev. S. P. Fryberger, presented a gavel to Synod for this and future conventions. It was thankfully accepted on behalf of the Synod by the Presi- dent.
Adjourned with prayer by Rev. J. Wesner.
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SECOND SESSION.
Friday, September 23, 1898, 9 a. m. The devotional services were conducted by Revs. L. O. Pearch and William Hall. The roll was called and the minutes read and approved.
Election of Officers. -
Rev. George P. Kabele and Messrs. Isley and Rudi- sill were appointed tellers.
PRESIDENT, Prof. G. H. Gerberding, D.D., Chicago, Illinois. SECRETARY, Rev. William J. Finck, Anderson, Indiana.
TREASURER, Mr. D. J. Miller, Middletown, Indiana.
Trustees.
Mr. William K. Wesner, Newberry, Ind., term expires 1899. A. G. Webber, Esq., Decatur, Il1., term expires 1900. Mr. Nels Johnson, Chicago, term expires 1901.
It was decided that the offerings of the Home Mis- sion Service be devoted to the cause of Jewish Missions represented by Rev. E. N. Heimann, of Chicago.
Standing Committees.
EXAMINATION-Revs. S. Wagenhals, D. D., M. L. Wagner, J. Wesner, A. T. Clay, Ph. D., and I. Whitman.
FOREIGN MISSIONS-Revs. William J. Finck, Loran O. Pearch, and Mr. Charles H. Brooks.
HOME MISSIONS-Revs. A. T. Clay, Ph.D., M. L. Wagner, William A. Sadtler, Ph. D., H. A. W. Yung, George P. Kabele, and Messrs. Nels Johnson, William Sheets, F. E. Lammert, and C. A. Eckstrom.
EDUCATION-Revs. J. Wesner, I. Whitman, and Mr. Reuben Isley.
BENEVOLENCE-Revs. William Evans, G. D. Gross, and Mr. M. L. Deck.
DISCIPLINE-Revs. A. V. House, J. Wesner, J. M. G. Sap- penfield, S. P. Fryberger, and Luther Hogshead.
RECEPTION OF CONGREGATIONS-Revs. J. M. G. Sappenfield, A. D. Crile, and Luther Hogshead.
PAROCHIAL REPORTS AND APPORTIONMENTS-Revs. M. L.
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Wagner, A. D. Crile, William Evans, Albert Hockensmith and John H. Lenburg.
Regular Committees.
ON PRESIDENT'S REPORT-Revs. F. C. Oberly, William Hall, and I. Whitman.
ON TREASURER'S REPORT-Messrs. M. L. Deck, C. H. Brooks, and P. P. Culler.
ON PROTOCOL AND MINUTES OF PREVIOUS CONVENTION- Revs. William Evans and George P. Kabele.
ON ABSENTEES-Revs. H. A. W. Yung, G. D. Gross, and C. R. Hildebrand.
ON PROCEEDINGS OF CONFERENCES-Revs. M. L. Wagner and A. T. Clay, Ph. D.
ON PRESS AND CHURCH PAPERS -. Local papers, Rev. S. P. Fryberger; Lutheran, Rev. F. C. Oberly; Young Lutheran, Rev. William Evans.
The unfinished Report of the Committee on By-Laws was taken up and paragraph two of the second Article was amended and adopted. The Education Committee was instructed to draft a series of rules for their guid- ance in their work and present the same during this con- vention.
Report of Committee on Young Lutheran.
We your Committee on Young Lutheran would respectfully report that we have endeavored to secure the required number of subscriptions to issue the paper, but failed. We lack about 500 copies.
Inquiries were addressed to every pastor in Synod as to the number of copies that would be taken in his parish. The re- sponses were slow, and in some cases discouraging. A sample edition was issued and distributed, and was favorably received. The chief obstacle in the way was the fact that some of the con- gregations have "local editions" which they were not ready to suspend in lieu of the synodical edition.
Your committee is of the opinion that we ought to have this paper; that it would be productive of good in our Synod; and that a renewed effort should be made to secure it. In view of certain changes that have taken place in the bounds of Synod, we believe
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another canvass would result in securing sufficient pledges for the issue of 1500 copies.
We would therefore recommend
1. That a committee of three be appointed, who are to ascer- tain as soon as possible, whether the required number of copies will be provided for by the congregations and Sunday schools in the Synod.
2. That if the required number be secured, this committee be authorized to issue the Synodical Edition as soon as the subscrip- tions are in their hands.
3. That the Synod be not made responsible for any expense involved in this enterprise.
M. L. WAGNER, WM. J. FINCK, AUSTIN D. CRILE.
The report was received and adopted item by item. Mr. M. L. Deck was appointed temporary treasurer.
Resolved that a committee be appointed to report a plan for ministerial relief at the next Convention.
Adjourned with prayer by Rev. J. M. G. Sappenfield.
THIRD SESSION.
Friday, September 23, 1898, 2 p. m. The devotional services were conducted by Rev. A.
D. Crile. The roll was called and the minutes approved. Report of Home Mission Committee.
Immediately after the election of the committee, organization was effected by the election of Rev. H. L. McMurry, president; Dr. A. T. Clay, secretary; Nels Johnson, treasurer, and Rev. M L. Wagner, missionary director. Two regular meetings of the com- mittee were held, both in Chicago.
The committee would respectfully report that there are three missions within our bounds, supported by the Board of Home Mis- sions of the General Council: namely, The First English Lutheran, Decatur, Illinois; St. John's, Chicago; and St. John's, Anderson, Ind. These missions are making steady progress. St. John's,
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Anderson, has taken steps towards the erection of a church, the congregation having outgrown its present place of worship.
As further items of interest we would report that Hope Evan- gelical Lutheran Church, Crisman, Ind., has erected a beautiful edifice, which was dedicated on Sunday, February 6, 1898, This congregation is the fruit of the self-sacrificing labors of Rev. H. A. W. Yung. Rev. Mr. Yung reports that Lake and Porter coun- ties are rich fields for our church, and that the work there should be vigorously prosecuted.
St. Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Flournoy street, Chicago, is the fruit of the labors of several students of the semi- nary, and members of the Mission Committee. A congregation was organized in March, and a pastor called, lot purchased and chapel erected, which was dedicated September 18. This congre- gation has been self-sustaining from the start.
St. Peter's, Chicago, under the care of Student H. B. Reed, is making steady progress. The committee appropriated $150 to to this mission for the year just closing. The mission has secured a very desirable lot, and has it partially paid for. Funds for a chapel are now being gathered. A flourishing Sunday school - is maintained. The mission is much encouraged, and feels that a brighter day is dawning. $325 were raised by this mission for current expenses during the past year.
Portland, Ind., is also under the Committee's care. A pastor has been placed on the field and steps taken toward the erection of a chapel on the lot secured some years ago. With a church home of their own, the hope is cherished that this mission will make substantial progress.
In connection with Portland, operations have also been begun at Jonesboro, Gas City and Alexandria, Ind. The last place pre- sents an encouraging outlook. A Sunday school has been organ- ized, and regular services are held.
The Committee has decided to call Rev. C. L. V. Dozer, who has been laboring at these points since June 1, as the missionary for the field; and $10 per month, beginning with June 1, and a sufficient amount for the ensuing synodical year, have been appropriated toward his support.
In order to carry out the work contemplated by the Committee for the ensuing synodical year, we respectfully ask Synod to place at the Committee's disposal the sum of $400.
To assist in the occupation of important centers on our terri-
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tory we would offer the following suggestions for the serious and prayerful consideration of our pastors:
That the pastor of the Whitestown parish look after the inter- ests of our church in Lebanon, and endeavor to establish a church there; that the pastor of the Rochester parish do the same in the city of Rochester; that the pastor of the Newberry parish do the same in Vincennes; that the pastor at Crisman care for our interests in South Bend, and other points of importance; that when a pastor is called to the Alamo parish, he either locate in Crawfordsville, or at least, look after the Lutheran interests there; that the pastor of the Corydon parish endeavor to plant the standard of our Church in Corydon; that Rev. J. M. G. Sappenfield do the same for Newton, Ill .; and that Rev. G. D. Gross look after Lafayette; and that Rev. D. L. Reese visit Rossville and care for the Luther- an interests there. .
A. T. CLAY, GEO. P. KABELE, H. A. W. YUNG, M. L. WAGNER, Missionary Director.
The report was received and adopted.
Report of Committee on Conferences.
In accordance with the Constitution of Synod, and the action taken last year by Synod, two Conferences were organized, name- ly the Northern and the Southern. Rev. W. A. Sadtler, Ph. D., was elected president, Rev. A. T. Clay, Ph.D., secretary, and Rev. William Hall, treasurer, of the Northern Conference; Rev. M. J. Stirewalt, D.D., president, Rev. M. L. Wagner, secretary, and Rev. J. M. G. Sappenfield, treasurer, of the South- ern Conference. Each of these Conferences held one meeting.
The Northern Conference requests Synod to change the time of meeting from the fall to the spring of the year.
We find nothing further in their minutes requiring our action. Respectfully, A. T. CLAY, Sec. N. Conference.
M. L. WAGNER, Sec. S. Conference.
The report was adopted.
Report of Committee on Education.
We, your. Committee on Education, would submit the follow- ing report:
Four applications for aid have been placed in our hands from
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the following persons: John V. Sappenfield and Howard E. Sny- der, students at Thiel College, Greenville, Pa. : Merrill E. Boul- ton, student of the Lutheran Seminary in Chicago, and Andrew M. Sappenfield, a student at Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, Minn.
Having received satisfactory evidence of the Christian charac- ter and capabilities of these young men, your committee would recommend the following appropriation to each: John V. Sap- penfield, $125; Merril E. Boulton, $60; Howard E. Snyder, $100; Andrew M. Sappenfield, $75.
Respectfully submitted, COMMITTEE.
The report was received and adopted item by item.
At 3:00 o'clock, a paper was presented by the Rev. William J. Finck on the subject "Our Financial Obliga- tions to the Church." The subject was discussed until the hour of adjournment.
The President appointed the following special com- mittees: On Young Lutheran, Revs. M. L. Wagner, A. D. Crile, and L. O. Pearch; On Minsterial Relief, Revs. A. D. Crile and William J. Finck.
Adjourned with prayer by Rev. G. D. Gross.
FOURTH SESSION.
Saturday, September 24, 1898, 9 a. m.
The devotional services were conducted by Rev. C. L. V. Dozer. The roll was called and the minutes ap- proved.
Report of Committee on Examination.
Rev. C. L. V. Dozer has appeared before your Committee, as an applicant for membership in this Synod. He has placed in our hands his letter of honorable dismission from the Pittsburgh
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Synod. Upon examination we find him in accord with us and recommend that he be received as a member of this Synod.
M. L. WAGNER, J. WESNER,
I. WHITMAN.
The report was adopted and the name of the newly elected brother was added to the clerical roll.
Report of Committee on President's Report.
The Committee on the President's Report begs leave to offer the following resolutions:
1. That we approve all the official acts of our President.
2. That Synod rejoices very heartily over the practical work of oversight which our President has accomplished during the past year by his systematic visitation of all the parishes and re- gards his efforts and reports as a healthful symptom of the growth of our Synod.
3. That the Synod recognizes the good work done by the Jew- ish Mission in Chicago, and recommends that all the pastors devote one Sunday (the tenth Sunday after Trinity, if possible,) to the consideration of this important subject and take up offerings for the same; further, that the Home Mission Committee be instructed to use its efforts in order to secure compliance with this resolution.'
4. That we regret to learn of Dr. Stirewalt's affliction and in recognition of his long and eminently useful labors, Synod ex- presses its warmest sympathy with him and prays God to grant our brother speedy recovery and many days of usefulness.
5. That while Synod deplores the many evils which are pointed out in the President's Report as threatening the Church, both people and pastors pledge themselves anew prayerfully to preach, outside of the pulpit as well as in the pulpit, the precious doctrines of God's word as confessed by our church and also dili- gently to study to rise to a fuller comprehension of our present needs and their remedies.
6. That the case of C. K. Drumheller be referred to the Com- mittee on Discipline.
7. That Synod adopt the following recommendations:
a. That a committee be appointed to take into considera- tion the advisability of the redistricting and dividing of some of the pastoral charges, with a view to giving the people more
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frequent service, better catechisation and more pastoral care; further, that this committee endeavor to report during this Con- vention.
b. That our people be urged to attend to the organization of Luther Leagues under the supervision of the Pastor and also to the diligent study of the Reading Course.
c. That we urge upon all our people the great desirability that officiating ministers should use the robe at Synodical and Conference Communions as well as that the Matin and Vesper services should be used during the sessions of each convention; but that these matters be left to the decision of the officers and the pastor loci.
d. That in order that we may have our ordinations in con- nection with our annual conventions, we change the time of meet- ing of Synod from fall to spring and that the exact time be left to the officers of Synod and the Pastor in whose charge we meet.
e. That the Secretary be instructed to inquire whether ordi- nation certificates have been published by the General Council and if so, procure them, and also that he bring the need of letters of dismissal for pastors and church members to the attention of the General Council.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK C. OBERLY, I. WHITMAN, WM. HALL.
The report was received and adopted item by item.
Rev. J. Wesner was instructed to communicate the resolution of sympathy to Dr. Stirewalt.
Report of Committee on Reception of Congregations.
We, the Committee on Reception of Congregations, would re- port that we have applications from the following congregations for admission into the Chicago Synod:
1. St. Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Flournoy street, near West 47th Ave., Chicago, Illinois, presents the con- stitution recommended by the General Council. We recommend its reception.
2. St. James' Evangelical Lutheran Church of Chicago, Illinois, asks to be received into the Chicago Synod. We recom- mend the reception of this congregation with the following changes
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of the Constitution :- to Article III., Sec. 1, add the words, "And shall become a member of the Synod to which this congregation belongs;" for Article VI., substitute the words, "This congrega- tion shall connect itself with the Chicago Synod of the General Council."
J. M. G. SAPPENFIELD,
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A. D. CRILE, LUTHER HOGSHEAD.
The report was received and adopted item by item.
The President appointed the following Committee on Redistricting and dividing charges: Revs. M. L. Wag- ner, William J. Finck and Mr. Michael Rudisill.
Adjourned with prayer by Rev. A. V. House.
FIFTH SESSION.
Saturday, September 24, 1898, 1:30 p. m.
The devotional services were conducted by Rev. Frank C. Oberly. The roll was called and the minutes approved.
On motion it was decided to correct the name of the Union Evangelical Lutheran Church in the register of congregations and the protocol.
The Committee on Apportionments presented a par- tial report, recommending that the apportionments be made on a basis of forty cents a member, except in case of missions. This recommendation was adopted and the Committee was given further time to complete their report.
The Committee on Education presented a plan of beneficiary aid, but its consideration was deferred till Monday.
At 3:00 o'clock, Rev. H. A. W. Yung presented a paper on the subject "Should we Catechise our Children and Why?" The subject was discussed until the hour of adjournment.
Adjourned with prayer by Rev. S. P. Fryberger.
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SIXTH SESSION.
Monday, September 26, 1898, 9 a. m.
The devotional services were conducted by Rev. William J. Finck. Rev. F. C. Oberly presided tempo- rarily. The roll was called and the minutes were ap- proved. Rev. J. Telleen was made an advisory member.
Report of Committee on Foreign. Missions.
Your Committee rejoices to be able to report that we were suc- cessful in securing the presence of the Superintendent of Foreign Missions, Rev. J. Telleen, and that both at Sunday school and before a very large audience Sunday evening, he presented the subject so vital to the christian's salvation.
We regret to learn from the Treasurer's report that but $80.00 were forwarded to the Foreign Mission treasury during the past year and hope that our parochial reports will show a far better state of affairs, and we urge upon our Treasurer that he immedi- ately forward the amount on hand, $149.68, and the offerings of the mission service, $10.87, making a total of $160.55, to the treas- urer of the Board of Foreign Missions.
We most urgently implore the people of the Chicago Synod, to take more interest in a subject so important and pressing, to in- troduce the Foreign Missionary into their homes, Sunday schools, Luther Leagues and congregations, and to support the cause of the dying heathen prayerfully, intelligently and liberally.
We also request the superintendent of missions, Rev. J. Tel- leen, to visit the congregations of our Synod and present the needs of the foreign mission field to our people.
WM. J. FINCK, CHAS. H. BROOKS, L. O. PEARCH.
The report was received and adopted.
Rev. Mr. Wagner reported that the file of min- utes of the Indiana Synod had been bound as ordered by Synod. It was accepted and the expense ordered paid. Report of Committee on Discipline.
Your Committee on Discipline would beg leave to submit the following report:
The only matter referred to us was the case of C. K. Drum-
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heller. Having carefully examined all the papers and evidence in the case, we find that the above named C. K. Drumheller has voluntarily withdrawn from the Synod and from the entire Luther- an Church; he has therefore passed beyond our jurisdiction, and no further action on the part of this Synod is necessary.
Respectfully submitted, A. V. HOUSE, J. WESNER, S. P. FRYBERGER,
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