USA > Indiana > Tippecanoe County > Lafayette > Minutes thirty-fifth annual convention Chicago Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1905 > Part 5
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The love of the world and what it offers, is alienating the masses from Christ and the Church, until a portion of the Church has begun to adopt the policy of compromise, and invites the world, with its spirit and its methods into the very sanctuary, and is converting the same into a club-house and place of amusement. But the dear Mother Church of the Reformation is not so easily moved to confusion. She has a power of resistance and endurance that is peculiar to herself. She has a birthright of principle which cannot be bought for a mess of pottage. With implicit confidence in what God has written, she is neither ashamed nor afraid of the old foundations of the Prophets and Apostles. She knows that "Other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid. which is Jesus Christ". This she believes and preaches "For there is none other Name under Heaven given among men where- by we must be saved".
Clinging to the Word and the Sacraments, God's all sufficient Means of Grace, and also the power of God unto Salvation to everyone that believeth, may it not be said, that her position to-day is one of great opportunity, and like Esther of old, has she not "Come to the kingdom for a time like this"?
May God give us grace to recognize the golden scepter of opportu- nity, held out to us by our Great King, and may we enter diligently upon the life-saving work assigned to us.
While to some of our brethren, especially those of the stricken district of the Pacific Coast, great calamities have come, to us it has been a year most richly blessed of God. Our Synodical roll has not been affected by a single death, and a loving Providence has smiled bountifully upon us as a people, for which let us thank God and take courage.
Resignations
Under date of July 31, 1905, I received a letter from the Rev. P. C. Wike, saying that he had resigned the Colburn Parish in order to accept a call to become General Secretary of the Colburn Academy. His resignation was to take effect August 6, 1905. '
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The Rev. Herbert Martens, pastor of the East Germantown Parish wrote me under date of November 11, that he had resigned the East Germantown Parish, in order to accept a call from the Saltsburg Luth- eran Parish in Pennsylvania. His resignation was to take effect December 31, 1905.
I was informed by the Rev. L. J. Baker, under date of October 18. 1905, that he had resigned as pastor of Epiphany Church, Chicago, in order to accept a call to the Lutheran congregation at Zelienople, Pa. His resignation was to take effect on the second Sunday in Nov .. 1905.
Under date of January 4, 1906, the Rev. D. L. Reese informed me that, he had resigned the Whitestown Parish. The resignation was to take effect at once.
Under date of January 17, 1906, I received a letter from the Rev. Wm. L. Hunton, Ph. D., informing me that, he had resigned Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Chicago, Ill. The resignation was to take effect March 1, 1906.
Under date of February 5, 1906, I was informed by the Rev. M. E. Boulton that he had resigned the First English Lutheran Church of Mishawaka, Ind., in order to accept a call to the Lutheran Parish at The Dalles, Ore. His resignation was to take effect April 1, 1906.
A letter from the Rev. L. W. Steckel, under date of April 5, 1908, informed me that, he had resigned St. James' Lutheran Parish, Chicago, in order to accept a call to the First English Lutheran Church of Mishawaka, Ind. His resignation was to take effect the last Sunday in April, 1906.
April 10, 1906, the Syracuse Parish informed me that, the Rev. Theodore Weiskotten had resigned that Parish. His resignation was to take effect at once.
Under date of April 19, 1906, I was informed by the Rev, L. P. Pence that, he had resigned the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Atonement, in order to accept a call to the Lutheran Parish at West Carrollton, Ohio. His resignation was to take effect the first Sunday in May, 1906.
Under date of May 16, 1906, I received a letter from the Rev. Wm. J. Finck, informing me that, he had resigned St. John's English Lutheran Church of Anderson, Ind., in order to accept a call to the Lutheran Church at Augusta, Ga. His resignation was to take effect June 6, 1906.
Under date of June 4, 1906, the Rev. A. L. Boliek informed me that, he had resigned the Nappanee Lutheran Parish, his resignation to take effect September 30, 1906. *
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Calls acceptod
Under date of October 27. 1905. the Rev. E. Farker Conrad of Winston Salem, N. C., informed me that, he had accepted a call to Colburn Parish and would begin the work November 12, 1905.
Under date of November 10, 1905, the Rev. J. H. Wannemacher of Tescott, Kan. wrote me that, he had accepted a call to the Hicksville Parish and would begin the work December 10, 1905.
The Rev. Charles R. Dunlap wrote me under date of February S, 1906, that he had accepted a joint call from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Chicago, Ill., and the General Council's Home Mission Board, and had began work as pastor of the Church of the Redeemer, February 1, 1906.
Student Andrew M. Sappenfield. of the Senior Class of the Chicago Seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, wrote me under date of March 20, 1906, that he had accepted a call to the Corydon Parish, and would begin the work at the close of the Seminary year in April.
Under date of May S. 1906, Student R. C. Kanfman, of the Senior Class of Mt. Airy Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, wrote me that he had accepted a call from the General Council's Home Mission Board to become pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer at Anmra, Ill., and that he would begin the work after the meeting of our Synod.
Installations
August 13. 1905, in Mt. Zion's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Knox Co., Indiana, the Rev. H. J. Mathias was installed pastor of the Newberry Parish by the Rev. Isaiah Whitman.
July 9, 1905, the Rev. L. J. Baker was installed pastor of the Epiphany Lutheran Parish, Chicago, Ill., by the Rev. A. C. Anda.
June 10, 1906. the Rev. L. W. Steckel was installed pastor of the First English Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mishawaka, Ind., by the President of Synod.
Applications for Membership
The Rev. E. Parker Conrad, who has accepted a call to the Colburn Parish, has presented a letter of honorable dismissal from the Evangelical Lutheran Synod and Ministerium of North Carolina, and has applied for membership in this Syncd.
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The Rev. Charles R. Dunlap, who has accepted a call to the Church of the Redeemer, Chicago, IlL. presented a letter of honorable dismissal from the Olive Branch Synod, and has made application for member- ship in this Synod.
The Rev. J. H. Wannemacher, who has accepted a call to the Hicksville Parish, has presented letters of good and regular standing in the Joint Synod of Ohio, and has applied for membership in this Synod.
Student Andrew M. Sappenfield, who has accepted a call to the Corydon Parish, has made application for ordination at this Convention of Synod.
Student R. C. Kanfman, who has accepted a call to the Church of the Redeemer, Aurora, Ill., states that he will be ordained by his Mother Synod, the Ministerium of Pennsylvania, and that he will be present at this meeting of Synod with proper papers and will conform to what is necessary to become a member of this Synod.
All of these applications, together with all accompanying papers are in the hands of the Examining Committee of this Synod.
The Church of the Reformation at Buckley, Ill., was organized April 22, 1906. The congregation is making application for admission into this Synod through the Rev. A. C. Anda.
Dismissals
Under date of January 14. 1906, the Rev. L. J. Baker applied for a letter of dismissal to the Pittsburg Synod, on the grounds that he had accepted a call to a parish of that Synod, at Zelienople, Pa. A letter of dismissal was granted him to the Pittsburg Syned, under date of February 3, 190G.
The Rev. Herbert Martens wrote me under date of February 1, 1906, asking a letter of dismissal to the Pittsburg Synod, on the grounds that he had accepted a call to a parish of that Synod, at Saltsburg, Pa. A letter of dismissal to the Pittsburg Synod was granted him under date of February G, 1906.
Under date of April 2, 1906. the Rev. M. E. Boulton applied for a letter of dismissal to the Pacific Synod, he having accepted a call from a parish of that Synod at The Dalles, Ore. A letter of dismissal was granted him to the Pacific Synod, under date of April 2, 1906.
Under date of May 9, 1906, the Rev. W. L. Hunton, Ph. D. applied for a letter of dismissal to the Ministerium of Pennsylvania. on the grounds that, he was now located in Philadelphia, Pa. A letter of dismissal to the Evangelical Lutheran Ministerium of Pennsylvania was granted him May 11, 1906.
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The Rev. L. P. Pence, in a letter of May 15. 1906. applied for a letter of dismissal to the Evangelical Lutheran District Synod of Ohio: he having accepted a call Irom a parish of that Synod, at West Carroll- ton, Ohio. He was granted a letter of dismissal to the District Synod ol Ohio under date of May 16, 1906.
Dedications
St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Detroit, Michigan, in which we convene to-day, was dedicated October 8, 1905, by the Rev. J. C. Kunzmann, D. D., assisted by the Rev. J. A. Miller, pastor.
St. James' Evangelical Lutheran Church of Claremont, Illinois; the Rev. J. V. Sappenfield, pastor, was dedicated October 22, 1905, by the President of Synod, assisted by the pastor loci, the Rev. Elmer D. S. Boyer and the Rev. Jno. Knauer.
Corner-stone Laying
The Corner-stone of the First English Evangelical Lutheran Church at Wheeler, Illinois, the Rev. John Knauer, pastor, was laid October 15, 1905, by the Rev. S. D. Myers, assisted by the pastor loci. .
The Corner-stone of the Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church of Elgin, Illinois, the Rev. Paul W. Roth, pastor, was laid June 10, 1906 by the pastor, assisted by the Rev. A. C. Anda.
Supplies
On April 16, 1906, I was informed that the Syracuse Parish had arranged to have Student J. J. Myers of the Chicago Seminary to supply the parish during the Summer vacation.
Under date of May 15, 1906, the Rev. Wm. J. Finck of Anderson, Indiana, wrote me as follows: "I wish to add to my letter the official information, that the Church Council has seenred the services of the Rev. D. L. Reese, to supply the field until fall, with a view of accepting a call if his health permits, and if satisfactory arrangements can be made with the General Council Home Mission Board".
Vacancies
Out of eleven pastors who resigned during the year. only two have accepted parish work in our Synod. Nevertheless, the vacancies left over from last year have been filled, and as many of this year's vacan- cies as it has been possible to find good pastors for. Recommendations
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have been made, and correspondence is now going on, looking to an early call to fill them all. At present, Holy Trinity, St. James', Atone- ment and Epiphany of Chicago; East Germantown and Whitestown Parishes of Indiana are vacant. Let us pray and work that the proper pastors be speedily located within these parishes.
Our Missionary Work
The Missionary work of onr Synod is fast becoming of primary importance. The position and work of our Home Mission Committee is of equal importance, and in order that the Missions and Missionaries may not be confused as to their relations to the Home Mission Commit- tee in the adjustment of their local affairs, would it not be well for Synod to define the duties and powers of this most important arm of her activity?
It was with a great deal of regret and anxiety that we learned of the death of Miss Clara Graff of Philadelphia, the kind donor of the beautiful Church of our Blessed Savionr at Alexandria, Indiana. Miss Graff had not made the transfer of the beautiful property to the Church before her death, but all has been legally and satisfactorily adjusted.
Documents of the Alexandria Church Property
The Rev. William J. Finck has sent to me for the Trustees of Synod, all the papers bearing on the transfer of the Alexandria Church property. This beautiful house of worship, built in pressed brick, was erected by the late Miss Clara Graff of Germantown, Philadelphia, Pa., as a gift to the Mission Work of the Middle West, and in particular to the Lutheran people of Alexandria, Indiana. Her only requirement made before selecting this field for the place that should receive the benefit of her benevolence was, that Synod should maintain a Mission with full services at this point. On the twenty-third of last December, Miss Graff departed this life, and since her death, the executor of her will, Mr. E. G. Hamersly of Philadelphia, has by power invested in him by Miss Graff's will, transferred the property to onr Trustees, in trust nevertheless for the Church of our Blessed Savionr of Alexandria, Ind. The transfer was made through the co-operation of the Rev. Mr. Finck, who as representative of the kind donor, had the supervision of the con- struction, equipment, and dedication of the edifice.
The following is a complete list of the documents:
1. The Deed, made by the executor to the Trustees of Synod, and recorded in Madison County, Indiana, Record Book No. 172, page 353.
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2. A Certified Copy of the Will, probated and registered in the office of the Register of Wills in and for the County of Philadelphia, in Will book No. 272, page 149.
3. The Abstract of the Property, together with tax receipts, and receipts for brick street improvements on both sides of church property; also, the original deed by which the property came into the possession of Miss Graff.
4. Fire Insurance Policies, four in number, covering the building and furniture to the amount of five thousand dollars, ($5,000.00) and extending to April 26, 1912.
Mr. Finck also informs me, that on Easter evening of this year, he assisted the pastor Rev. J. C .. Dietz, in a very interesting service, at which a modest bronze tablet was unveiled. The wording of the tablet is as follows:
THIS CHURCH WAS BUILT A. D. 1903 BY CLARA GRAFF . OF PHILADELPHIA, PA. TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND PRESENTED TO HIS WORSHIPING PEOPLE
It was upon the earnest entreaty of Mr. Finck that Miss Graff consented to the execution of this tablet, but only on the positive con- dition that its erection should be delayed till after her death. It has found a fitting place in the north wall of the main room, and rests firmly on a marble slab.
May the example of this good woman constrain others to use a part of their blessings received from God, to some noble cause in His kingdom.
Educational Work
Our Synod had two young men in the Chicago Seminary last year, and one in Lima College.
Mr. Andrew M. Sappenfield graduated from the Seminary this Spring, accepted a call to one of the Synod's Missions, and has applied for ordination at this convention of Synod.
Mr. Calvin Brewer completed the first year's work in the Seminary this Spring.
Mr. S. L. Boger graduates from Lima College this Spring.
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Do our pastors not know of other bright young men who are willing to consecrate their lives to the noble work of the ministry? Pastors, encourage your noble boys to consider this good work, for without recruits the Church will suffer.
Division of the Whitestown Parish
Based upon Section 2 of Article IX of Synod's Constitution, which reads as follows: "Each Congregation shall make due and liberal pro- vision for the support of the Gospel aod the ministration of the Word and Sacraments among its members, and endeavor to arrange for at least one service every Lord's Day"; the Chicago Synod in sessioo at Whitestown, in 1809, (see page 26 of Whitestown Minutes) recommen- ded that the Whitestown Parish be divided. Under date of January 20, ISMMi, a letter was received from the Home Mission Director of our Synod, which reads as follows: "I was also instructed by the Commit- lee to urge you to use your influeoce at Whitestown, in arranging for a new pastor, to make every effort to carry out the resolution of Synod, to have the Darlington Church (St. James') withdraw from the charge. If this can be accomplished, the Crawfordsville work can be connected, with it, and a new charge at once established".
Under date of January 24, a letter was received from the corres- ponding secretary of the Whitestown Parish, saying, that the congrega- tions of the Whitestown Parish desired more preaching than was possible for them to have with the parish consisting of four congregations, so widely separated. He asked for official instruction as to how the Synod- ical Constitution and the former recommendations of Synod might be complied with. Under date of March 10, 1900, a letter from the corres- ponding secretary stated that, St. Mark's at Whitestown, and Salem at New Augusta, together with the Union congregation near Whitestown, were desirous of forming a charge, known hereafter as the Whitestown Parish. This same letter requested that I visit the parish officially, and preach for, and hold a free conference with each congregation, and give opportunity for any questions to be asked and officially answered. In obedience to this request, I visited the parish, preached at St. James' on the evening of April 25, called the congregation into a business meeting, explained the situation, and encouraged the asking of any question upon the subject. The congregational meetiog had not been called according to the requirements of their constitution, and hence no expression of the congregation on the question was taken.
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On the evening of April 26, I preached at St. Mark's, Whitestown, and rendered the same explanation in the congregational meeting which followed. The congregational meeting was properly called to express itself upon the question, and out of 103 ballots, 101 were for dividing: 2 opposing it.
On the evening of April 27, I preached at Salem, New Augusta, and also held a congregational meeting and rendered the same explanation that I had to the other congregations of the parish. This congregation also voted to divide the parish.
Under date of June 8, 1906, I received an official statement from the Council of St. James' congregation, in which they say that they as a congregation will not by their own action sever their relations with the other congregations, that at present form the Whitestown Parish. They say further, that if the other members or congregations of the Whites- town Parish, and Synod, in their wisdom and love for the good of our Church in general, see fit to divide the parish, that it be done only after proper provision has been made for the needs and development of St. James'. This official statement in full is in the hands of the President.
Need of the Lutheran in the Homes
A correct knowledge of the Lutheran Church was the great need that was apparent in every parish with which your President has been called to consult or advise. The Lutheran Church's power, needs, activities and opportunities are too meagerly known by the masses of our membership, to beget a loving support. If every pastor. would be diligent and persistent in his endeavor to get the families to subscribe for, and read THE LUTHERAN, it would go far to solve the problem of men and means to take care of our future opportunities.
The General Council
The Thirtieth Convention of the General Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in North America, held in the Church of the Redeemer, Milwaukee, Wis., the Rev. W. K. Frick, D. D., pastor, Oct. 12-17, 1905, was of great interest to the Lutheran Church of this country
Our Synod was represented by a full official delegation, both clerical and lay. The various departments of the Church showed a commend- able growth, and in addition to these, the Council created a Slovak Board, whose duty it is to supervise the Slovak work within our Council. The most important action of the Council concerning our Synod, is that of the Unification of English Home Missions (see page 217 of Minutes
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of Councilj. The keynote of the action is expressed in the first item, which reads as follows: "The English Home Mission Board shall consist of seven member, elected by the General Council, together with one member elected by each District Synod co-operating. on its Home Mission Board." It was also resolved by the General Council, that the Committee on Unification be continued, (see page 226 of Minutes of General Council) and that the action of the different District Synods be reported to this Committee, which Committee shall report the same to the General Council on Saturday morning of its next Convention.
Recommendation
Your President most respectfully recommends that, Synod define the duties and power of the Home Mission Committee more fully than it has already done, in Article IX of our Constitution, and in Section 3 of Article II of our By-Laws.
Conclusion
Now, dear brethren, I have submitted to you a report of your Pres- ident's work during the interim, and in doing so, I want to thank you, one and all, for the kind Christian spirit you have shown your President in the many-sided and ofttimes perplexing work with which he had to deal. In adjusting the work of Synod during the year, my inability was most painfully in evidence many, many times. But by the grace of God, I have done the best I could. And now may God's richest bless- ings abide upon and guide this Synod here assembled, and the Church it represents.
Most respectfully submitted, LUTHER HOGSHEAD.
The Report was received and referred to the Com- mittee on President's Report.
Election of Officers
The President appointed Rev. E. D. S. Boyer, Rev. Wm. Brenner and Mr. J. Frank Laughner as tellers. The election resulted as follows:
President, The Rev. Luther Hogshead, Goshen, Ind.
Secretary, The Rev. H. B. Reed, Chicago, III.
Treasurer, The Rev. Isaiah Whitman, Hillsboro, Ind.
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The Rev. H. Peters, D. D., of Decatur, Ill., delivered his address on "The Church Paper; Why it should be in the Home." The discussion of Dr. Peters' paper was opened by the Rev. I. Whitman of Hillsboro, Ind.
The hours for opening and closing the daily sessions were fixed as follows: 8:30 to 11:30 for the morning; 2:00 to 4:30 for the afternoon, and 7:30 for beginning the evening service. The hour for hearing the afternoon paper was fixed at 3:00 o'clock.
It was announced that the evening service would be held in St. Paul's Church, Sixteenth and Breckenridge Streets.
The President appointed the
Regular Committees
Credentials of Lay Delegates-Rev. Z. M. Corbe(1), Rev. H. J. Mathias, Rev. A. L. Boliek.
President's Report-Rev. M. E. Haberland, Rev. A. H. Ar- baugh, Mr. Josiah Rothenberger.
On Protocol and Minutes-Rev. Wm. Brenner, Rev. J. V. Sappen field.
On Absentees-Rev. Elmer D. S. Boyer, Rev. Geo. F. Dittmar. Mr. E. F. Kuhns.
On Press -- For The Lutheran, Rev. Prof. G. H. Gerberding, D. D. For The Local Press, Rev. Wm. C. Miller.
On Conference-Rev. L. W. Steckel, Rev. S. D. Myers.
Auditing Committee-Messrs. Edward Bartholomew, J. Frank Laughner, Jno. L. Reuter.
The President also completed the
Standing Committees
Examination-Rev. S. Wagenhals, D. D., Rev. G. H. Gerber- ding, D. D., Rev. Hiram Peters, D. D., Rev. J. R. E. Hunt, Rev. Wm. J. Seiberling.
Home Missions-Rev. A. C. Anda, Rev. G. H. Gerberding, D. D. Rev. P. C. Wike, Rev. Paul W. Roth, Rev. A. D. Crile, Messrs. A. W. Ackemann, Chas. Severinghaus, Geo. W. Wehmeyer, C. T. A. Anderson.
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Foreign Missions-Rev. S. D. Myers, Rev. Wm. Brenner, Mr. Edward Valbracht.
Education-Rev. A. D. Crile, Rev. H. B. Reed, Mr. A. A. Sellers. Benevolence-Rev. A. L. Boliek, Rev. J. V. Sappenfield, Mr. Fred Rietzkat.
Discipline-Rev. Hiram Peters, D. D., Rev. P. J. Gerberding. Rev. H. J. Mathias, Rev. S. Wagenhals, D. D., Rev. I. Whitman.
Reception of Congregations-Rev. M. E. Haberland, Rev. P. J. Gerberding, Mr. O. J. Mennen.
Parochial Reports and Apportionments-Rev. A. H. Arbaugh, Rev. Z. M. Corbe(t), Rev. J. R. E. Hunt, Messrs. W. B. Myers, N. W. Cosner.
Synod adjourned at 5:00 o'clock, being led in prayer by the Rev. J. R. E. Hunt.
Second Session
Christ Church, Detroit, Michigan, June 14, 1906, 8:30 a. m.
Devotional Services were conducted by the Rev. G. F. Dittmar.
The roll was called. The minutes of the first session were read and adopted.
Report of the Examining Committee
The following named ordained ministers called by congregations the Chicago Synod have applied for membership. The requirements of the constitution have been observed in the case of each applicant:
1. The Rev. Edward Parker Conrad, honorably dismissed from the Evangelical Lutheran Synod and Ministerium of North Carolina, called to the Colburn Parish, and became resident pastor Nov. 12, 1905.
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II. The Rev. Charles R. Dunlap, honorably dismissed from the Olive Branch Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church (G. S.); called by the Home Mission Board of the General Council, and by the Church of the Redeemer, Chicago, Ill., entered upon his work as missionary February 1, 1906.
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