USA > Indiana > Our church, a history of the synod of Northern Indiana of the Evangelical Lutheran Church > Part 2
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Six. 2. Any minister of licentiate, in good standing, who removes into the bounds of another Synod, shall, on application to the President, receive a certificate of honorable dismission, and such a certificate shall be required by the Synod of those apply- ing for admission into it.
Ske. 3. Any Lutheran minister presenting to the President of Synod an honorable dismission from another Evangelical Lutheran Synod, shall by him be received, and his name enrolled among the members of Synod; but if objection be made to his
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reception, at the opening of Synod, the case shall go over until after the Synod is organized.
Sec. 4. Any minister resigning his charge, shall give due notice thereof to the President, and a like notice shall be given by any minister taking charge of congregations belonging to Synod.
See. 5. Licentiates shall have the same rights and privileges in Synods as ordained ministers, except to hold office.
See. 6. A licentiate shall have liberty to visit vacant congrega- tions, and to take charge of them, either on their invitation or by direction of the President of Synod.
Ske. 7. A licentiate, after he has taken a charge, shall not leave it without the sanction of the Synod, or of the President.
Ske. 8. No church in this Synod shall enact anything in the form of Constitution or By-laws in conflict with the Constitution of Synod or Formida of Government.
ARTICLE V. CONFERENCES.
Sitios 1. The Synod may divide itself into Conference Di- triets for the purpose of holding Conference meeting -.
Sie. 2. The chief object of such meeting- shall be the preach- ing of the Word, mutual consultation and encouragement in the work of the Lord, and seeking in every proper way to advance the interests of religion among the churches.
Ske. 3. Conference may attend to any business referred to them by Synod or by congregations, which does not specially belong to Synod itself.
See. 4. The records of the proceedings of Conferences shall be submitted to Synod for examination and review.
ARTICLE VI.
PROCESS AGAINST A MINISTER.
SEorios 1. As the honor and success of the gospel depend very much on the character of its ministers, Synod ought to guard with .. the utmost care and impartiality the conduet of its ministers.
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ORGANIZATION AND CONSTITUTION.
SEc. 2. All Christians should be very cautious in giving credit or circulation to an evil report of any member of the church, and especially of a minister of the gospel. If any member knows a minister to be guilty of a private censurable fault, he should warn him in private; if this prove fruitless, he should apply to the Church Council, who shall proceed as specified in Chapter 111, See. 5, of Formila of Government.
See. 3. If accusation be lodged according to Chapter 111, Ser. 5, with the President within two months of the next Synodical meeting, he shall defer the matter to said meeting; yet if the charge be one of gross innmorality, or cirenlating fundamental error in doctrine, he shall immediately direct the areused to sus- pend all his ministerial duties until his care is decided. If such accusation be lodged with the President at an earlier date, he shall, if the charge be one of gross immorality, or circulating fun- . damental error in doctrine, inunediately appoint a committee of live ordained ministers of the Synod, to meet without nuneces- sary delay at a suitable place, and institute a formal investigation of the case, according to the principles of this Formula. The chairman of the committee shall give at least ten days' notice to all parties concerned of the time and place of meeting.
Sie. 1. If the Synod is divided into Conference districts, the President may, at his diseretion, entrust the matter to Conference, and notify the members to meet and proceed as above.
Skc. 5. Any three members of the committee, or a majority of the Conference thus meeting, shall have power to proceed and hold a fair and impartial investigation of the case, and to take all such necessary measures as may be just and proper to determine the guilt or innocence of the accused.
SEe. 6. If the accused confess, and the matter be such as gross immorality, or circulating fundamental error, he shall be immediately suspended from the exercise of the office until the meeting of Synod.
SEC. 7. If a minister aeensed of gross offenses, being duly noti- fied, refuse to attend the investigation, he shall be immediately suspended from office.
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Ske 8. If the accused deny the charge, and yet on examina- tion of the evidence be found guilty, the committee or Conference shall nevertheless proceed to pass sentence on him.
Ske. 9. The highest punishment which can be intlieted by a committee or special Conference, appointed as above specified, is suspension from clerical functions; and this sentence is to be reported at the next meeting of the Synod, and remain in force until reversed by the Synod.
Ske. 10. Any minister mtending to appeal from the decision of a committee or Conference, shall give notice of it to the chair- man of the committee or Conference, within three weeks of the time when the decision was made, that both parties may be pre- pared for a new trial. .
Sie: 11. Conferences not specially convened for the purpose, may attend to any charges of importance against a minister within their bounds, if all the parties concerned are prepared and willing to proceed.
Sec. 12. If at any time accusations be lodged with the Presi- dent, according to Chapter 11, See. 5, for a less offense than those specified in See. B of this Article, he shall take no other steps in the case than to write to the accused and accusers, exporting them to mutual forbearance, and referring them to the next Synod.
Ske. 13. If accusation against a minister be made immediately to the Synod, and the Synod believe itself in possession of all the evidence necessary to a just decision, the case may be immediately examined and sentence passed, provided the accused shall have had lifteen days' notice, together with written specification of the charge brought against him; and this whether he shall be present at Synod or not. But if the necessary evidence be not before Synod, and the offense be such as specified in Sec. 8, then it shall be entrusted to a committee or Conference to proceed as above specified.
Ske. 11. If a minister be guilty of gross immorality, or cireu- lating fundamental error in doctrine, his sentence of suspension
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shall not be removed until he shall give satisfactory evidence of penitence and reformation, and his restoration shall be by the same judicatory which suspended him, or at its recommendation .
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Sie. 15. If the common report of a minister's guilt of any of the charges above specified be such as seriously to injure the cause of religion, and his own church do not proceed against him, it shall be the duty of any other minister or layman, having ob- tained two other signatures of credible men, to report the case to the President.
ARTICLE VIL.
1. The President shall open the first session of Synod with ap- propriate religions services, and every session thereafter shall be opened and closed with prayer. In the absence of the President, the Secretary shall conduct the opening exercises, and in the ab- sence of both the oldest acting minister present.
2. Calling the roll of ministers and licentiater by Secretary, and noting the absentees.
3. Reception of lay delegates, who shall exhibit their certifi- cates of appointment and be registered
1. Applications for membership from other Lutheran Synod- received. If objection be made to an applicant, the case shall be deferred until after Synod is fully organized.
5. Reading the President's annual report.
6. Election of officers for the ensuing year.
7. Delegates from other Synods, or members from other bodies, received.
S. Minutes of the last Synod referred to a committee.
9. All papers intended for the Synod may be handed in, and verbal notice given of any important business intended to be brought before Synod.
10. The papers may be taken up and discussed or referred to appropriate committees, who can report at any time when ready . Reports of special and standing committees shall have preference.
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11. Presentation of parochial reports according to the rules of Synod.
12. Treasurer's Report.
13. Education and missionary business. This may be at- tended to by Synod as a whole, or committees may be charged with it, who shall report to Synod.
14. Vacant congregations inquired into and provision made for them.
15. Promiscuous business.
16. Election of delegates to General Synod, and of trustees or directors in any mstitution in which synod is represented. All elections shall be by ballot .
17. Appointment of delegates to other Synods or other eccles- lastical bodies.
18. Choice of time and place of meeting.
19. Adjournment of Synod to time and place of next meeting. Synod shall be closed with appropriate religious exercises.
ARTICLE VIL. MINISTERIUM.
Sie 1. The Ministerium is composed of the ordained min. istors of Synod, and shall have charge of the examination of can- didates, licensure and ordination of ministers, reception of min- isters from other ecclesiastical bodies, and the examination and decision of charges of heresy against any of its own members.
See. 2. The officers of Synod shall be officers of the Min- isterium, and shall attend to the duties of such officers.
SRC. 3. A meeting of the Ministerium may be called at any time during the Convention of Synod, by the President, and he shall call one when requested by three members.
SEc. 4. A special meeting of the Ministerium may be called by the President when requested in writing by one-third of the · ordained ministers of Synod, stating the object of the meeting. Of such meeting notice must be given, by circular or letter, fifteen days previously.
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ORGANIZATION AND CONSTITUTION.
Ste. 6. The examination of candidates for licensure may be conducted before the whole Ministerium, or in private by a com- mittee appointed for that purpose, as the Ministerium may dveide.
See. 6. The examination shall embrace at least the following subjects, viz .: Personal Piety and the Motives for Seeking the Office of the Ministry, the Original Languages | Hebrew and Greck ] of the Inspired Scriptures, Theology, Church History, Pastoral Theology, Homiletics, and Church Government.
Ske. 7. In all cases of leensure or ordination, a vote of two- thirds of the members present shall be necessary; and the same shall be required for the reception of a minister applying for admission from another denomination, after having undergone such examination as may be deemed necessary by the Ministerim, or in such Synod where the Ministerium does not exist, by the Synod.
Ske. S. The ceremony of licensure and ordination shall be performed according to the forms prescribed in the Liturgy of the General Synod, and the ordination may be either at the time of the assembled Ministerium, or in the church to which the individ- ual is called, by a committee appointed by the Ministerium for the purpose.
Ste. 9. All licenses shall extend to the time of the next annual meeting of the Ministerium, and shall be renewed as a matter of course, unless satisfactory reasons are known to the Ministerium, which render a renewal inexpedient. And if For any reason no meeting be held at the appointed time, the licenses granted by said Ministerium shall remain in force until revoked .
Ske. 10. Licentiates shall keep a journal of their ministerial acts, which, with a few sermons of their own composition, shall be submitted to the Ministerium for inspection.
Ske. 11. The following shall be the order of business in the Ministerium:
1. Opening with prayer, or prayer with other suitable religious exercises.
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2. Calling of the roll.
3. Communication by the President of any business which he may have to report.
4. Presentation of the licenses, journals and sermons of the licentiates.
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5. Application of candidates for examination, if not already examined by a committee, and also the application for the recep- tion of ministers from other denominations.
6. Hearing of reports from the exandning committee, or from committees on journals and sermons of licentiates, or from any other committee appointed by the Ministerimn.
7. Promiscuous business relating to the ministry.
8. Adjournment with suitable religions exercises.
See. 12. All business not specifically intrusted in this Formula to the Ministerium, shall belong to the Synod. -
Sre. 13. In the installation of a pastor, the ceremony of instal- lation shall take place in the church to which he is called, and shall be conducted according to the form prescribed in the Lit- urgy of the General Synod.
PIONEER WORK AND WORKERS.
Great changes have occurred on the territory of this Synod during the forty years of her existence. One unfamil- iar with pioneer life and work can scarcely conceive what a mighty and glorious transformation has been effected. Every- thing has changed. ' Small villages have grown to thriving and busy eities. New centers of traffic have sprung up in the waste places of field and forest. By-paths have been con- verted into highways of commerce. The hovel has given way to the mansion. The old log church has been replaced by beautiful churches of matchless architectural skill. All these indicate the difficulties which attended the labors of the mis-
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REV. HUGH WELLS. REV. WILLIAM WALTMAN.
REV. R. F. DELO. BEV. LEVI RICE.
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PIONEER WORK AND WORKERS.
sionaries of the cross in those early days. The country was only in its formative period. It was, comparatively speaking, only sparsely settled. The people were beginning the work of building up their homes and fortunes. As a rule they were poor. In consequence of this the minister received a very meager and inadequate support. The entire salary then received by some would not now pay the rental for the home of some of the members of this body. From the records of one of the oldest pastorates we get a glimpse into this phase of the pioneer work. A pastor was extended a call to a field, the extreme points of which were from thirty five to forty miles. Ile was expected to preach at half a dozen places already established, and "to gather the people at new points with a view of organizing other congregations." For this he was pledged the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars. In his reply the pastor said: " I hereby most heartily accept the call extended to me, believing it to be a voice from God through you to me." In those days the average support did not exceed two hundred and fifty dollars, and yet upon this the minister and his family must live. He was expected to devote his entire time to the upbuilding of the church. Indeed, when we consider the large amount of territory included in most of the early pastorates, we are assured that they could not have divided their time even if they had been so inclined. Most of them had fields that included from three to six of our present pastorates. This required an immense amount of travel, and it was often attended with great difficulties and peril. Bad roads and swollen streams, with all the dangers they presented, could not keep them from their appointments. When the con- dition of the former was such as to make it impossible for the
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beast of burden to make his way through them, the preacher would walk ten or fifteen miles rather than disappoint his people. And when the latter seemed to shut off all possibility of reaching his destination, he would trust to his faithful horse for safety and plunge into the midst of the swollen tide. By night and by day these journeys were made, apparently without a murmur or complaint. And in connection with them there was a great deal of preaching required. Seldom less than three times on Sunday, and usually several times during the week. Their meetings were also held anywhere that a convenient place could be found. In groves, in barns, in school houses, in private dwellings, in log churches that were built and as solemnly consecrated as the more beautiful struc- tures of later days, these gatherings were held and the word preached and the sacraments administered. In such places some of our best congregations were organized, and upon the foundations of such faith and devotion they were built. .. Remember the days of Old, consider the year- of many generations, ask thy father and he will show thee, the elders and they will tell thee." " Days should speak and multi- inde of years should teach wisdom."
The men who did this work believed that they were called of God, and where he directed they were willing to go. They sought his guidance. They were pre-eminently men of prayer. Their difficulties and trials, their hardships and discourage- monts were taken " to the Lord in prayer." and ofttimes they continued to wrestle in prayer until the night of their trials passed and the dawn of a better day appeared. Many of them kept a " praying list." It contained the names of those with whom they came in contact who were in special need of a
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minister's prayers and counsels. There, too, were the names of the uneonveried, whom they held before a throne of grace until they were brought to repentance. Sometimes they would see some of the men who were the worst of sinners humbly coming and inquiring what they must do to be saved. These " praying lists " told the story very often of answered prayer, and encouraged them to work on and pray on until the object sought was obtained. It is a blessed suggestion for every Christian. And how that list will grow when we add to it the things that daily arise in our experience! But what a story it will tell after a while of answered prayer! Souls saved, ditli- culties conquered, barriers removed, blessings attained. Who understood this better than these pioneer preachers who were continually * Battering the gates of heaven with storms of prayer."
They were also faithful preachers of the word. No one can look through the list of subjects printed in connection with the annual minutes of Synod and not realize this truth. No one can examine the private record of one of these servants of the Master and not be convinced of the thoroughly Biblical character of his preaching. The word of God was the message they were sent to deliver. Through that word they heard him say, " Preach the preaching that I bid thee." They preached it plainly and directly. Into the cars of the sinner they thun- dered the terrors of the law, and then told of the blessedhiess of grace. To them heaven and hell were solemn realities, and not ligments of the imagination. Repentance and faith were essential to salvation, and their hearers were not left in doubt as to what they believed. They had convictions inwrought by the spirit of God, and they aimed through the faithful preach-
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SYNOD OF NORTHERN INDIANA.
ing of the word to burn them into other hearts and minds. They laid stress upon all the means of grace. Children were consecrated to God in the holy ordinance of baptism. They were gathered together and instructed in the teachings of the church, and urged to give their hearts and lives to God by a public profession of religion in the solemn rite of confirmation. The sacrament of the altar was always highly esteemed. Com- munion seasons were usually blessed manifestations of grace. Ilere they came into a real and vital communion with their Lord. So all the means of grace were faithfully used. They felt that they must adapt themselves to God's methods, and in doing that they found great joy and blessedness and profit in his service. Their works are characterized by wonderful fidel- ity, and God made them great " winners of souls." Ile owned and blessed their faithful efforts. Long after they have all passed to their reward will there be those to rise up and testify of the good that they have done, and in " the crown of their rejoicing " there will be many brilliant stars.
THE SYNOD AND THE GENERAL SYNOD.
The constitution of this synod was framed with the view of becoming identified with the General Synod. In it provi- sion was made for the election of delegates to that body. The purpose of the founders therefore appears in their first acts. Decisive steps were taken during the second convention when the following resolution was passed:
" Resolved, That this Synod approve of the present position of the General Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran church in the United States and make the necessary arrangements to unite with the same."
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THE SYNOD AND THE GENERAL SYNOD.
Delegates were elected and at the meeting of the General Syned in Reading, Pa., 1857, it was received as a part of that. body. This is significant in view of the religious controversy that existed in the Lutheran church. It was not only a rejer- tion of the Definite Synodical Platform, but also a declaration that the unaltered Augsburg Confession should be its doctrinal basis. That venerable document was regarded as setting forth "the fundamental doctrines of Scripture in a mamer substan- tially correct." The liberal spirit which characterized the General Synod in its interpretation of the various articles of its creed was accepted as Scriptural. .. The letter killeth but the spirit giveth life." Subsequently when from its meeting in York, Pa., 1864, the General Synod sent down to the dis- triet Synods certain proposed changes to its constitution, the Northern Indiana Synod acquiesced and with that body declared its doctrinal basis to be " The word of God as contained in the Canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the only infallible rule of faith and practice and the Augsburg Confession as a correct exhibition of the fundamental doctrines of the Divine Word, and the faith of our church founded upon that word." This was interpreted as a mere verbal change, designed to correct certain erroneous impressions which the enemies of the General Synod had created against her. It was in no wise regarded as a change in her doctrinal position. It was setting aside indefinite and ambiguous phraseology to avoid mis-representation in the future, and to bring the entire church to recognize the true Lutheran position of the Synod that was formed for the purpose of miting the divided elements of our household of faith It was a hearty acceptance of the only confession that has been universally received in the Lutheran church. Nothing more, nothing less.
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SYNOD OF NORTHERN INDIANA.
The Synod also expressed its approval of the ruling of the President of the General Synod at its meeting in Ft. Wayne, Ind., 1866, at which certain of its members took exception and withdrew from that body. While differences of opinion pre- vailed as to that ruling the course of those who withdrew was regarded as revolutionary, and not to be cherished in a body whose aim was to unite and not separate. The point of differ- ence was regarded as parliamentary and not doctrinal, and hence the withdrawal was not only deeply regretted but severely censured.
In its twentieth annual convention it was ordered that the constitution of Synod be revised . so as to harmonize with that published by the General Synod." The " Order for Public Worship" provided at Washington was reported to this Synod and was approved. It was printed in the minutes and the con- gregations were urged to adopt it in their public worship. The subsequent action of the General Synod in co-operating with other Lutheran bodies in the preparation of a common order of servier was heartily approved, but the Synod was never satis- fied with the results. The service was not adapted to the needs of the churches in this body, and the consequence is that it has never been used. A memorial was presented to the General Synod at its meeting in Canton, Ohio, 1893, asking for a Book of Worship without the so-called common service. The petition was not granted, but the Synod in its loyalty to that body accepted the denial simply "as the will of the majority." The Book of Forms provided by the General Synod is used by the members of this Synod in their varions services. The apportionments made for the different benevo- Jout objects of the church are always accepted and faithful
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THE SYNOD AND THE GENERAL SYNOD.
effort is made to place at least this amount into the treasuries of our various Boards. The Synod aims to make the apportion- ment the minimum of its giving. In every particular through these forty years of its history has the Northern Indiana Synod been loyal to the General Synod, ofttimes sacrificing its own preferences in order to aid in the promotion of the peace and prosperity of all.
The following delegates were elected to the General Synod at the respective meetings of that body:
1857 -- Reading, Pa .- Revs. H. Wells, D. Smith, Messrs. J. Fay- lor, P. Bishop.
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