USA > Indiana > Clinton County > Mulberry > Minutes thirty-third annual convention Chicago Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1903 > Part 3
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We, your Special Committee, charged with examining the Report of the Board of Directors of The Dieckmann Memorial Home for the Aged, would respectfully report, that after examining said Report, it is our judgment, that Synod adopt the Report and approve of the action of said Board, and instruct the Officers and Trustees of Synod to execute the desired Quitclaim Deed.
Respectfully submitted,
THE COMMITTEE.
The Report was adopted.
The following resolution, offered by the Committee on Home Missions was adopted.
RESOLVED: That we, the Mission Committee, request Synod to authorize the Examining Committee to examine Candidate Linden Philip Pence, and if his examination is satisfactory, authorize his ordination at the service Sunday morning.
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The Committee on Conference read its report. While the report was under consideration, the hour for the hearing of the paper arrived.
Rev. J. R. E. Hunt read his paper on "The Error of Universalism." The subject was further discussed by Rev. S. Wagenhals, D. D.
Synod adjourned with prayer at 4:30, led by Rev. I. Whitman.
FOURTH SESSION.
FAIRHAVEN CHURCH, Near Mulberry, Ind. June 12, 1903, 8 a. m.
The Devotions, consisting of the Matin Service, were conducted by Rev. Z. M. Corbet.
The roll was called, and the minutes were read and adopted.
The consideration of the report of the Committee on Conferences was resumed, and was adopted as here follows.
Report of the Committee on Conferences.
The Committee on Conferences, begs leave to offer the following report: We have examined the minutes of the Northern Conference, and find the following recommendations:
1. Resolved that it is the sense of the Northern Conference, that the time has arrived, when the Chicago Synod should organize its women for systematic effort, in the general work of the Church, and we request Synod to take up the matter for consideration.
2. We recommend that Synod request the General Council to prepare and publish forms for the dismissal of members, such forms to be supplied to congregations.
3. We further recommend, that the attention of the General Council be directed to the need of a form for reception of new mem- bers, otherwise than by Baptism and Confirmation.
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4. Resolved, that we request Synod to petition the General Council to prepare an outline form of an official call of a Congregation to a pastor.
5. We find in the report of the Committee on Absentees and Excuses, the following :" Rev. Mr.Corbet is absent without excuse." Our Constitution requires, that if any member shall absent himself without excuse for two successive meetings of Conference, that such shall be reported to Synod. We recommend that this person be reported to Synod.
6. We have examined the Minutes of the Southern Conference and find nothing requiring the action of Synod.
Respectfully submitted, THE COMMITTEE.
Report of the Committee on Benevolence.
We, your Committee, would respectfully report the following:
1. We have arranged for a service in the interests of Benevolence this evening, and would recommend, that the offering be equally divided between the Hospital at Chicago and the Orphans' Home at Zelienople, Pa.
2. We would recommend. that the offerings returned from the Dieckmann Memorial Home, be also given to the above named institutions.
3. That the unpaid balance of the $150 appropriated to the relief of Dr. Stirewalt last year, be paid to the widow of the deceased brother.
4. That we again most earnestly urge our pastors to keep the needs of our various institutions of mercy, and of the great need of deaconesses, prominently before their respective congregations, and . urge that substantial support be given to this department of our Church's activity.
THE COMMITTEE.
The Report was considered item by item and adopted as a whole.
Report of Committee on Home Missions.
Most commendable progress has been made during the past year. Results justify the statement,that no mission work in the entire church has been more richly blessed. Mission activity and general interest are evidently increasing. We look hopefully toward the future.
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Through the co-operation of the Chicago Seminary, by means of the Student Help Fund, we are enabled to do a most economical and extensive mission work, and through the interest and substantial assistance of the General Council Home Mission Board, we believe there are good prospects of our territory being cultivated in a measure proportionate to its needs and importance.
A Review of the Work of the Year.
The meetings of the Committee have been well attended, and the work in the missions carefully supervised. The revenue has been steady and increasing, and with missionaries paid promptly and a most satisfactory financial showing, we feel confident that the synod will approve of the work done, and plans proposed.
THE CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR, ALEXANDRIA, IND. Rev. A. C. Petersen vacated this field July 1, to enter upon work as English Professor in a Danish college. Since Oct. 1, 1902. the congre- gation has been happily supplied with a regular pastor, in the person of Rev. J. C. Dietz, who was installed Feb. 8. The new and beau- tiful church was completed and consecrated on the same day. It is constructed of pressed brick and Indiana cut stone, and with furnishings complete and of the best, at a cost of $ 15,000.00, is a gift of a Philadelphia lady, through the Rev. W. J. Finck, to our Alexandria congregation, the Chicago Synod aud Western mission work. We place on record our appreciation of the interested liberality of our unnamed friend, and Rev. Mr. Finck. whose zeal and self-sacrifice have been productive of so much good in our Synodical mission work. We extend to the donor the heartfelt thanks of the Chicago Synod and all friends of English mission work in the Great West.
SOUTH BEND-MISHAWAKA. Two new churches and a par- sonage, are the material evidences of progress which have rendered necessary the division of this prosperous work. Rev. Wm. Eckert has been returned to his original field in South Bend, and Rev. M. E. Boulton has been in charge of Mishawaka since May 1, 1903.
At South Bend a church was purchased and moved to the lot owned by the congregation. It is a neat and churchly frame building. and has been remodeled and refitted, and is practically a new church, costing $2,700.00. It was consecrated Dec. 28, and is the home of a congregation of earnest people who assure us that with their pastor giving his entire time to their work, the day is not far distant when they will reach the point of self-support.
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The Mishawaka congregation has, during the year, completed a modern eight room parsonage, and has erected a fine church and chapel out of pressed brick and stone, the latter having been conse- crated April 19. The interior of the main church will be completed at an early day. The property as it now stands, represents an outlay of $10,350.00. and when finished, will be worth not less than $ 15,000.00 The interested activity of Rev. Wm. Eckert, the large hearted liberalityof Messrs. J. F. Eberlein and Oscar Miller, and the consecrated zeal of a very earnest band of women, made such wonderful results possible in so short a time. The mission is in earnest, and promises that not- withstanding the heavy expenses of church erection, it will not long remain on our funds.
ZION'S, LAFAYETTE, IND. Students E. P. Courad and A. J. Stirewalt have supplied during the year. Mr. John Knauer of the Seminary, will spend the summer in canvassing and developing this field, which, it is hoped, can be speedily brought to the point of secur- ing a permanent missionary, without which we cannot look for any rapid development.
WAUKEGAN, ILL. This work has not developed satisfactorily, although trained and energetic students have been in charge. viz. L. P. Pence and T. A. Schoenberg. Temporary care is given by Mr. H. F. Obenauf of the Seminary, until the committee can complete plans for connecting the mission with other work, and insure the permanency of English services in Waukegan.
ST. PETER'S, CHICAGO. Substantial progress has been made during the year, and a most praiseworthy effort has been started to reduce the congregation's debt, beginning most commendably with the non-interest-bearing loan from the Church Extension Society. As an evidence of appreciation of the pastor, Rev. H. B. Reed having declined, at a personal sacrifice, a very flattering and unsolicited call to an important field, the congregation has voluntarily voted him a well deserved and substantial increase in salary. The development here is healthy and hopeful.
ST. MATTHEW'S, CHICAGO. The resignation of Rev. Geo. P. Kabele, the first regular pastor of this mission was reluctantly accepted. Having been urged to accept an unanimous call to Goshen, Ind .. he vacated St. Matthew's April 30. Mr. Paul J. Gerberding was unanimously called as his successor and took charge May 1, thus happily avoiding any vacancy, so detrimental to a city mission. The
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congregation has cancelled its mortgage, and now has only $ 350.00 floating debt. It has also increased its contributions towards the support of the pastor. We look for immediate and substantial de- velopment in this field.
ST. JAMES', CHICAGO, has lost its pastor, Rev. Prof. Frederick, who on account of his wife's health, has been compelled to locate in California. Mr. L. W. Steckel who supplied during the past summer, has had charge during the year, and is now taking care of the field. The congregation has taken advantage of an excellent offer, and sold its lot, and is now negotiating for a much more favorable location, and looks forward to the early securing of a permanent church home.
CHURCH OF THE ATONEMENT, ENGLEWOOD. Through the efforts of St. John's S. S. and Rev. J. R. E. Hunt, a new mission has been started on the South Side. The School has an enrollment of 96, and the morning services. which have been in charge of students Gerberding and Voegtly, have been attended by an average of 20. The mission is located in a new and growing part of the city, which contains an abundance of ungathered inaterial. The Con- gregation was organized June 7, with 22 charter members, and will be received into Synod at this meeting. Mr. L. P. Pence, a graduate of the seminary, is energetically working this field, which ought very soon to develop into a flourishing English congregation.
The General Council's Work in our Territory.
We rejoice to note the evident appreciation by the General Coun- cil, of the importance and urgent necessity of the work in the Middle West. The Council has aided four missions on our territory during the past year, viz. First English, Decatur, Ill., St. John's, Anderson, Ind., St. John's and St. Luke's, Chicago. The first named became self-sustaining Jan. 1. A new field has unexpectedly opened an entirely ยท new district to the General Council and the Chicago Synod, through the application of St. Paul's church, Detroit, Mich., to the former for aid and to us for membership. The aid has been granted, and we rejoice that another door for enlarged opportunity is presented to us.
But undoubtedly the most significant advance in Western Mission Work during the year, was the placing of a Field Secretary upon the field, in the person of our former very efficient and energetic Mission Director, Rev. A. C. Anda. The first fruits of his labors is the Church of the Holy Trinity, Elgin, Ill. This congregation with its pastor,
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Paul W. Roth, will be received at this meeting of the Synod, a self- supporting parish. It is the result of the wisdom and energy of Rev. Mr. Anda, aided by Mr. Roth and W. P. Christy, and has been developed in the short space of seven months. What latent possibilities for English mission work there are! It is largely a question of men, and an ade- quate Extension Fund to provide churches, that is limiting the number of similar vigorous young English congregations which might be started by the score. Is not the time at hand when a systematic effort should . be made to raise a large Church Extension Fund to be used in aiding our young mission congregations to secure church homes? Given a local habitation as well as a name, they will have the confidence and sup- port of the community to an extent not otherwise enjoyed.
STATISTICAL SUMMARY.
Missions.
Souls.
Com.
Gain.
Loss.
S. S.
Property.
Debt.
Income. .
Benevolence
Given 02-3
Appropt'n.
Asked '03-4.
St. Peter's, Chicago.
400 112}
21 10 244 $5, 100 $ 2,000 $ 775 $75.41 $250 $200
St. Matthew's, Chicago.
240
89
27
9|146
2,100
350
1,175
50.63.
250
240
St. James',
Chicago.
260
27
13:
1 250
800:
489|
18.93
100
125
Atonement,
. Chicago.
96
96
80
10
300
Our Saviour, Alexandria, Ind.
79 41
21
41|15,000
346
15.00 240
300
First Church, Mishawaka, Ind. Holy Trinity, South Bend. Ind.
81
33
6 2: 52
10,300
10,356
14.36
100
150
108
54
S
69
2,500
900:
1,386
5.00
100
200
Zion's,
Lafayette, Ind.
37
23
7
2.5
162
5.65 181
300
Waukegan, Illinois.
40
12
5. 32
60
9 Missions
1341 391 103 31 959, 36,000 3,250 24,845 184.98
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The Synod therefore has supported nine missions the past year, in addition, paying $104.50 interest for St. Luke's (G. C.) Mission. There have been working under the direction of its committee, five ordained, and eight student missionaries, a total of thirteen. This missionary work has cost, including interest and incidentals, $1.526.66, an average of $169.63 per mission and $117.44 per missionary.
Including Elgin, the General Council has had under its care five fields. (Elgin begins self-supporting, but was aided to the extent of having the services of the Field Secretary). In these missions there are 1,034 souls, 444 being Communicants. The accessions were 141, losses 12, net gain 129. Property value, $31,500. Income, $5,486.37.
To summarize, there are on the territory of the Synod, 14 missions, in which during the year,ten ordained and ten unordained missionaries have labored. In these missions there are 2,375 souls. 835 communi- cants, and 1,559 enrolled in the Sunday Schools. Net gain in commu- nicants, 201. Property value, $67,500.00. Indebtedness, $12,150.00 Income for the year, $30,333.00.
Of the five churches consecrated during the year, four were in mission congregations. These churches with their lots, representing a property valuation of $35,000.00, are without exception a credit to our Synod, and monuments to the zeal, consecration, and self-sacrifice of those interested in the work. They speak for themselves.
Open Doors, New Fields, and Our Opportunities.
Requests to take up work at half a score of new points. have at various times been presented to your committee during the year. We are convinced that every one is the open door to a prosperous mission, and that if we had the neccessary funds to found the missions, that they could rapidly be developed at a minimum of expense into flour- ishing congregations. Every month of delay is a loss of opportunities, and means an increase in the ultimate cost of doing that which God has laid upon us to perform. Shall we have faith as a Missionary Synod, and enlarge our work to include these important points?
We can do this, if we get rid of that idea, that our apportionment is a tax, which, reluctantly paid, is the full measure of our duty, and recognize in it the minimum of what the church judges to be our proper proportion of the privilege of doing the Lord's work. Let us meet it promptly and fully, and cheerfully second every additional effort of our authorized representatives, to enlarge the church's be- nevolent operations.
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We can undertake this larger work, if there are a thousand per- sons in the two great states of Illinois and Indiana. who will give two cents a week to sustain it. Will not this additional revenue be forth- coming for extending the most economical and hopeful mission work in" the Lutheran Church in America to-day? The people have it. Will they give it? Special contributions should be sent to the treasurer, Mr. C. T. A. Anderson, 167 Dearborn Street, Chicago.
Special aid and encouragement would be the result of favorable answers to any of the following requests, all of which represent im- portant phases and necessities of our mission work.
1. Will you not aid in securing and holding lots for new mission points? This can be done either by direct gift, or a loan without interest. It is the first difficult problem to solve in the planting of a new mission.
2. Will you not do as the friend from Philadelphia did at Alex- andria, erect for some mission a memorial church? If done according to the plans of the Synod's committee, it will become a memorial ever repeating itself to the continual blessing of our missionary operations. Far better to have your monument in the church yard than in the grave yard!
3. Will not some individual, or congregation,undertake the found- ing of some special mission? We believe that a guaranteed fixed sum for a limited time, would result most satisfactorily, in bringing to economical and speedy self-support, our new enterprises. This method would also quicken and deepen the interest of the supporters of the work, who would know exactly where their money was invested, and what were the returns on the investment.
Our work must be more direct, intense and on a larger scale, if we hope in any degree to measure up in our accomplishments, to the im- portance, and the necessities of the great and fruitful field which God has given us to cultivate.
Recommendations.
We respectfully recommend the following appropriations for the next Synodical year:
1. St. Peter's, Chicago. $200.00
2. St. Matthew's, Chicago $240.00
3. Trinity, South Bend. 200.00
4. First Church, Mishawaka. 150.00
5. St. James', Chicago, (for vacation months) 125.00
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(The committee is authorized to give $300.00 per year to St. James' Mission Chicago, as soon as an ordained pastor is placed in the field).
6. Church of Our Saviour, Alexandria, Ind. 300.00
7. Church of the Atonement, Chicago. 300.00
8. St. Luke's, Chicago, for Interest 104.50 (Synod agrees to pay the interest for two years longer for St. Luke's, Chicago).
9. We urge upon the parishes, the advisability of holding regular missionary services, and that so far as practicable, annual mission fes- tivals be held.
10. Resolved, that in case the Syracuse parish is divided, $100.00 be appropriated to the Syracuse end of the parish.
11. Resolved, that the Rev. M. L. Wagner, be requested to inves- tigate the Olney field, with a view to establishing a mission, and to report to the Mission Director; and that if the prospects are favorable, $150.00 be appropriated for that work.
12. That the continuanee of the Lafayette Mission, be left to the Director of the Mission Committee, with authority to expend not to exceed $300.00.
13. We recommend that no appropriation be made to Waukegan. Ill., because arrangements are now being made for the care of that field, through one of the resident pastors.
14. Resolved, that Synod appropriate $2,300.00 to the disposal of the Mission Committee, for the ensuing Synodical year.
Annual Report of Treasurer of Home Mission Committee of the Chicago Synod.
From June 4, 1902, to June 10, 1903.
RECEIPTS.
Balance on hand as per last year's report '$ 60 26
From I. Whitman, Treasurer of Synod . 1622 73
Northern Indiana Synod, account Portland. 300 00
Special Fund Accounts 225 17
Total. $2208 16
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EXPENDITURES.
To St. Peter's, Chicago, May 1, 1902 to May 1, 1903 $ 250 00 . " St. Matthew's " May 1, 1902 to May 1, 1903 250 00
" St. James' May 1. 1902 to Oct. 1. 1902 100 00
" St. Luke's Interest on Church Mortgage 104 50
Atonement Special Account. 10 00
" Waukegan, Ill., June 1, 1902 to Oct. 1, 1902 60 00
Alexandria, Ind., May 1, 1902 to May 1, 1903. 239 87
South Bend, ' May 1, 1902 to May 1, 1903. 200 00
Lafayette, " May 1, 1902 to May 1, 1903. 181 50
" Current expense, Interest, Postage, Supplies, Printing, and Traveling Expenses of Committee 131 29
Total expense. $1527 16
" Johnson Chair Co., Paid Loan in full 500 00
Total Paid Out $2027 16
Balance Cash on hand 181 00
Total $2208 16
1902 Appropriation called for. $1600 00
Deficit on last year's report. 522 04
Total
$2122 04
Amount received from Treasurer of Synod.
1622 73
Deficit $ 499 31 C. T. A. ANDERSON,
. Respectfully submitted,
Treasurer.
The Report was received, and considered by items. The Report of the Treasurer, of the Home Mission Com- mittee was referred to the Auditing Committee, and adoption of the Report as a whole was deferred until the Auditing Committee should make its Report on the Treasurer's Accounts.
Adjourned at 11:40, with prayer, led by Rev. S. Wagenhals, D. D.
- 41 - FIFTH SESSION.
FAIRHAVEN CHURCH, Near Mulberry, Ind. June 12, 1903, 2 p. m.
The Devotions were conducted by Rev. G. F. Dittmar. The roll was called. Minutes of previous session were read and approved.
Report of the Auditing Committee on Report of the Treasurer of the Home Mission Committee.
We. your Committee, to whom was referred the Report of the Treasurer of the Home Mission Committee, would respectfully report, that we have carefully compared the items of the Report, with the cash book, accounts and vouchers, and find the Report correct.
The Report was adopted. THE COMMITTEE.
After the adoption of this Report of the Auditing Committee, the Report of the Home Mission Committee, offered at the previous session was adopted as a whole.
The Auditing Committee reported on the Report of the Treasurer of Synod. The Report was referred back to the Committee.
Mr. L. P. Pence, having sustained a satisfactory ex- amination, was at this point introduced as a Candidate for ordination, by the President of the Examining Com- mittee, and was welcomed by the President of Synod.
Rev. G. F. Dittmar read his paper on "The Relation of the Pastor to the Sunday School."
The discussion of the above paper was opened by Rev. P. C. Wike. The discussion was closed at 4:25 o'clock, and the business of Synod was resumed. The hour of adjournment was extended to 5:30.
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Report of Committee on President's Report.
Your Committee respectfully recommends:
1. That Synod approve the official acts of the President.
2. That the attention of our parishes be called to the President's suggestion, relative to providing more generally for parsonages.
3. That the division of the Southern conference be deferred, until said conference shall have taken the initiative.
4. That in view of the proposed change in the organization of the English Home Mission interests of the General Council, the change in the mode of electing the Missionary Director be deferred. Respectfully submitted,
THE COMMITTEE.
The Report was considered by items, and was adop- ted as a whole.
The Report of the Committee on Educational Insti- tution was presented. The Report was tabled, to be taken up, and made the first order of business Saturday morning.
Report of Committee on Treasurer's Report.
We, your Committee, to whom was referred the Report of the Treas- urer, beg leave to report :
1. That we have carefully compared the items of the Report, with the cash book, accounts and vouchers, and find the Report correct.
2. In regard to the recommendation of the Treasurer, that all delinquencies be cancelled, we recommend that it be referred to the Committee on Parochial reports and apportionments.
THE COMMITTEE.
The Report was received, considered by items, and adopted.
Synod adjourned at 5 o'clock. The Benediction was pronounced by the President.
- 43 - SIXTH SESSION.
ZION'S CHURCH, Mulberry, Ind. Sat., June 13, 1903, 8 a. m. Devotions were conducted by the Rev. M. E. Boulton.
The roll was called. The minutes were read and approved.
The Chairman of the Committee on Educational In- stitution, not being present at the hour of opening, the special order for the morning was set aside, and the Re- port of the Committee on Protocol, and Minutes of the Previous Convention was heard.
Report of Committee on Protocol, and Minutes of Previous Convention. -
1. Your Committee has examined the Protocol of the 32d Annual Convention of the Chicago Synod, held at Nappanee, and finds it correct.
2. On page 16 of the Minutes, we find that the term of A. G. Webber, Esq., of Decatur, Ill., as Trustee. expires in 1903, and we call the attention of Synod to the necessity of electing a Trustee. Respectfully submitted,
THE COMMITTEE.
The Report was adopted.
The Report of the Committee on Educational Insti- tution was taken up. The Report was referred back to the Committee.
The following set of resolutions, offered by the Rev. M. L. Wagner, was adopted, to go into effect after the Report of the Committee on Educational Instituion, shall have been adopted at this Convention.
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WHEREAS, this Synod has heard with great pleasure, the gratify- ing results of the work of the "Colburn Academy," during the past year, and desiring to foster the Institution by giving to the Institution its moral support, this Sy nod would adopt the following as the expres- sion, and definition of its relation to the said Institution.
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