USA > Indiana > Our church, a history of the synod of Northern Indiana of the Evangelical Lutheran Church > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20
(1) Has the deportment of Mr. been entirely satisfactory during the past scholastic year ?
(2) Is his influence in the institution positively Christian; and does his outward life correspond with his Christian pro- fession ?
(3) Is he faithful in the use of the Means of Grace, and is he actively engaged in connection with one of our Lutheran churches, in Christian work ?
(4) Has he been reasonably economical in the use of money, or has he habits of extravagance by which he need- lessly spends money ?
(5) What is his relative rank as a student, as shown by bis daily grades and examinations, highest, middle or lowest ?
(6) Is his progress commensurate with his abilities ?
(7) Does he give promise that he will become a useful and successful Minister of the Gospel, and do you advise the Board to continue to him its Beneficiary aid ?
XIN.
The Board shall have the following statement printed in suitable form, and shall require each Beneficiary, at the pay- ment of each of his three installments, at the beginning of cach Seminary term, sign it, after reading it aloud.
I hereby declare that it is my solemn purpose to devote my life to the work of the Ministry in the Evangelical Luth- eran Church, and. I respectfully ask to be continued as a Beneficiary of the Synod of Northern Indiana; and, further, I
.
41
THE SYNOD AND BENEFICIARY EDUCATION.
obligate myself to continue and complete my studies under the direction of the Board of Beneficiary Education of said Synod, until I become an ordained Minister of the Gospel in this, or in some other, Synod connected with the General Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Church.
XIV.
The Board shall receive upon the Beneficiary Funds of the Synod to applicant who designs taking the full College course unless he is prepared to enter the Freshman class at least; and to those designing to take a partial course aid shall he given either from the beginning of their course, or from some subsequent time when their qualifications have been sufficiently tested, as the Board, in its wisdom, may, in cach case, decide. XV.
The Board shall require from each Beneficiary that he, if possible, be present promptly at the opening of each session, and require that he also remain until the close of each session; that he shall not absent himself needlessly from the institution during the scholastic year; that he shall enter into no engage- ment to act regularly as pulpit supply for any vacant congre- gation without the consent both of the Theological Faculty of the Institution and of the Board of Beneficiary Education; that he apply to this Synod, whose Beneficiary he has been, for licensure, and also, if convenient, for ordination; and whatever else may, from time to time, in the judgment of the Board, be deemed for his best advantage and for the future greatest good of the church.
XVI.
This Board shall dismiss from the Beneficiary Funds of the Synod, any student under its control who falls below an
.
,
42
SYNOD OF NORTHERN INDIANA.
average scholarship of 8, (grading from 1 to 10), or who falls below 62 in any single study.
XVII.
This Board, through its chairman, shall annually present to the Synod a full and complete report of its actions during the preceding year, together with a frank exhibit of the pres- ent condition, needs and opportunities, and shall recommend to, and urge upon, the Synod such plans and efforts as shall be calculated to secure from the territory of the Synod both the largest possible number of Beneficiary men, and the largest possible sum of Beneficiary money.
XVIII.
It shall be the duty of every Pastor in this Synod to preach at least once each year to his people on this subject of Beneficiary Education, showing its importance and their obli- gations to it, to seek out proper candidates for the sacred office from among the young men of his charge; to show parents their duty to consecrate their sons, if the Lord will, to the work of the Ministry; to lay upon the conscience of men of wealth to give largely of their means to aid in this good cause; and, in every possible way, to help the Board of Beneficiary Education in the important task devolved upon them.
XIX.
These rules and regulations may be altered or amended by a vote of two-thirds of all the members present at any annual meeting of the Synod.
APPLICATION BLANK FOR BENEFICIARY AID.
1. Full name?
2. Age?
43
THE SYNOD AND BENEFICIARY EDUCATION.
3. Present residence ?
4. Occupation ?
5. Names and residence of parents?
6. State of health ?
7. Liability to inherited disease?
8. Schools and colleges attended?
9. Time and place of confirmation ?
10. Where now a Church member?
11. Name of Pastor and Sunday School Superintend- ent?
12. Have you attended a course of instruction by the Pastor in Luther's Catechism?
13. What Christian work have you been engaged in, and what interest and success have you had in it?
14. Do you read the Bible and pray daily ?
15. What are your motives for desiring to study for the Ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church ?
16. Do you use tobacco?
17. Are you married, or engaged to be married?
18. Is there any stain upon your reputation because of past misconduct ?
19. What probable financial resources have you upon which you can rely in the obtaining of an education, and what are they ?
20. Have you any unpaid debts, and, if so, what is the amount of them, and what arrangement have you made for paying them ?
21. If accepted as a Beneficiary by this Board, will you cheerfully and faithfully comply with all its requirements from you ?
1
44
SYNOD OF NORTHERN INDIANA.
Form of obligation to be given-
S ........ . 15 ...
ONE YEAR AFTER DATE, I promise to pay. Treasurer of the Synod of Northern Indiana, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, or this successor in office,
DOLLARS, To be without interest, and in consideration of this remission of interest, I hereby promise to enter into the Ministry of the Luth- cran Church of the General Synod of the United States, and to continue my studies under the direction of the Board of Eilura- tion of the Sgood of Northern Indiana until I am ordained.
THE SYNOD AND HOME MISSIONS.
This has always been a missionary synod in the truest sense. A few men who had received the gospel of Christ and had become identified with his church went forth in the spirit of the Master to make known the riches of his grave. As they went they preached, " Repent ye for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." The children of our household of faith scattered like lost sheep all over this vast territory were gathered and organized into congregations for the extension of the kingdom. New couverts were added. Churches multiplied. Organiza- tions were strengthened. Much gratuitons labor was done. Soon the strong began to support the weak. All sacrificed. The church grew. The kingdom enlarged. God owned and blessed the labors of his people. The marvelous growth of the synod, its rapid increase in membership arose from the fact that the missionary idea lay at the foundation and influenced
T
-
b.
REV. FRANKLIN FEMPLIN.
REV. G. W. WILSON.
REV. JOHN G. BIDDLE.
REV. JOHN M.LLER.
REV. FREDERICK BIDDLE.
45
THE SYNOD AND HOME MISSIONS.
its members in all their toils. Words can never adequately express the missionary spirit and zeal that has always charac- terized the work of this Synod. It was the burden of the prayers of the founders and for two score years has been mani- Tested in the work of individual members and by the actions of the Synod in all its annual conventions. The framers of the constitution were so imbued with this idea and spirit that they made it the duty of every member of this body to collect all the funds he possibly could for the cause of missions. Pastor- we're required annually to pledge a certain amount for this cause, and all vacant churches were required to give for the support of the missionaries. The first money pledged by this Syuod for any cause was for home missions. Out of their seanty support the pastors pledged and gave. The people also recognized the necessity. Their gifts were not large, but doubtless compare favorably when all things are considered with the contributions of later years. Increased abilities should always show increased giving for the extension of Christ's kingdom.
In order to give some system and to carry on the work most effectively a missionary committee composed of the officers of Synod was appointed. They were to have general over- sight of the work, to seek out new places for the organization of churches, to provide for vacant congregations, and to devise means for increasing the funds for this cause. But every pastor was a missionary and was expected to do missionary work. This committee reported at the second annual conven- tion that arrangements had been made with the Executive Committee of the General Synod to become auxiliary to that body, and that they had pledged fifty dollars for the present
ยท
46
SYNOD OF NORTHERN INDIANA.
synodical year. Several of its own members were then receiv- ing aid from the synodical missionary treasury, and at the same convention the Synod obligated itself to pay $200 toward the support of a missionary in Ft. Wayne, provided the Executive Committee of the General Synod would aid in a sufficient amount to support a suitable man. Pastors were urged to preach upon this subject and to hold the necessity of giving for this cause before the people, and in the third annual conven- tion the president recommended "that each pastor in visiting his members carry with him a list of their names and ask cach one to contribute something to the cause of missions." This recommendation was considered in a warm and fervent discus- sion and was unanimously adopted. By this time the general committee was supporting several men on the territory of this Synod, and the Synod also contributed directly to the support of three or four more. To the warm-hearted disciples so tho- roughly consecrated to the work it seemed slow. Some thought greater progress could be made by supporting a travelling mi- sionary. This was undertaken during the fourth convention. Rev. 11. Wells was asked to devote six months of the year to this work, and was pledged $250 and all expenses. To the young Synod this was a great undertaking in connection with the work already on hand and to which she stood pledged. But it was done and continued the next year also. He visited vacant congregations and organized new ones, aided pastors in their special services and accomplished much good. During the tenth convention he was again employed for one year at a salary of $1,000 and expenses. Subsequently in the year 1882 Rev. IL. C. Grossman served in the same capacity and received $700 support and expenses. Thus while the Synod stood
.
47
THE SYNOD AND HOME MISSIONS.
pledged to the general society, she was also annually support- ing in part two, three or four of her own members, and during these special years also sustained a travelling missionary upon her own territory.
In the year 1868 the following preamble and resolutions were presented by a committee appointed to report "some plan of systematic missionary operations within the bounds of our Synod." They were adopted:
WHEREAS, The Home mission work is of the utmost import- anee to the prosperity of the church and the kingdom of Christ, ' and
WHEREAS, We as a Synod learn of destitutions in every part of the territory within its limits, and whereas, our present methods for supplying these destitutions are inadequate to meet the ever increasing demands, therefore
Resolved, That we, as ministers and lay delegates, do hereby covenant before God that we will more carnestly pray and more unremittingly labor, for the spiritual good of our brethren who belong to the church of the Reformation who are now destitute of the preached word and ordinances.
Resolved, That a committee, consisting of two ministers and two lay members, be appointed in each conference district of this Synod, whose duty it shall be in conjunction with the officer- of Synod to supply the destitute places within our bounds as far as possible.
Resolved, That Synod recommend that each pastorate (and each congregation if possible) hold a missionary festival once cach year, and that the proceeds be devoted to the missionary opera- tions of Synod.
These resolutions are valuable, more in the fact that they give expression to the missionary spirit of Synod than that any special achievements were gained by this method. Certificates for life members and life director- were prepared and sold for
48
SYNOD OF NORTHERN INDIANA.
five and ten dollars respectively. All these things indicate how heavily this subject rested upon the minds of the members of this Synod, and how earnestly and persistently they labored for this eanse.
The apportionment plan adopted by the Board of Home missions was some years later accepted by this Synod, and it has been demonstrated the wisest and best method yet used. This Synod now aims to have its missionary operations directed by this Board. She has pledged herself to give one thousand one hundred and forty-nine dollars during the present synodical year for this work. It is an apportionment of only twenty-fice cents for each communicant member. How easily could this be done, if each one would follow the Apostle's rule of laying by in store as God hath prospered him. There would then be no deficiency and the Board would be enabled to enlarge its work and establish the church in other important places. But aside from this the Synod does much missionary work on her own territory. At present she is supporting in part the mis- sionary at Goshen and also at Ft. Wayne. She has her own Advisory Board, and while in all the General work it co-oper- ates with the Board of the General Synod, it is designed to seek out special points of interest and promise for the church and thus to aid in enlarging our borders. Always will much gratuitous work be necessary, but those who love their church and their Savior will find no difficulty in performing it. The Home Mission cause is a fair test of that love, and by it the Synod of Northern Indiana is willing to be judged. The larger part of the congregations on this territory received aid from either the General or District Synod in their early his- tory. Without such support they could not have existed and
49
THE SYNOD AND PASTOR'S FUND ASSOCIATION.
they have, by remembering the days of their helplessness, been prompted to assist other weak and dependent churches. At present Logansport, Ft. Wayne, Goshen, Indiana, and Ann Arbor, Michigan, are receiving missionary support. There are many promising openings for our church on this territory, and could be immediately occupied if the men and the means were at hand.
THE SYNOD AND THE PASTOR'S FUND ASSOCI- ATION.
During the third convention, a letter from the secretary of the General synod containing the plan proposed by the trus- ties of the Pastor's Fund, and also an appeal to the District Synods to unite in this great work, was presented and read to this body. Exception was taken to the plan itself. No one could become a beneficiary who had not been a member and paid an annual fee into the treasury; and no minister's family could receive aid therefrom unless the minister had during his life united with the society and regularly met his dues. In short, it was a mutual life insurance association that was pro- posed. The Synod also objected to the provision that a fund of ten thousand dollars should acerne before any distribution should be made. There were needy ministers, and the fam- ilies of such that required immediate assistance, and the church should aid them without delay. These objections being stated, the sentiment of the Synod was expressed as follows:
Resolved, That this Synod highly approves and heartily rejoices in the establishment of a Pastor's Fund for the purpose
4
50
SYNOD OF NORTHERN INDIANA.
of aiding poor and disabled ministers and their families, and will cheerfully co-operate with the General Synod in such a plan, the provisions and principles of which will be at all times acceptable to all proper applicants from all parts of the church, whenever there are funds unappropriated in the treasury.
No further action was taken until the eighth annual con- vention, when a letter from the Secretary of the Pastor's Fund Society of the General Synod was presented. It was an urgent appeal for aid. The matter was duly considered and the Synod voted an appropriation of twenty-five dollars anni- ally for a period of eight years. It seems like a small beginning for such an important work, but this Synod was yet in its infancy. Its own pastor- were laboring for a mere pittance of a salary. The congregations wore only in their formative period. Twenty-five dollars meant more for them than many times that amount would now. The very next year, however, it was found necessary to make an appeal for the family of Rey. C. Jones, who were left in destitute circum- stances. This gave a new impetus to the cause. The pledges were increased more than one hundred per cent. and an inter- est was maintained in the work until the expiration of the time that the pledge to the general society was redeemed. For some cause the contributions almost entirely ceased. A few pastors brought their yearly offering and the money was paid to the general society. The sun was small. This con- dition existed until the year 1885, when it was again found necessary to render assistance to a family left in want. Each church was asked for a contribution for the widow and her children, of the late Rey. J. Frazier, who had been an earnest and efficient servant of the Church and her Lord. To this
51
THE SYNOD AND PASTOR'S FUND ASSOCIATION.
was added the recent action of the General Synod, looking for the establishment of a home for disabled ministers and their families. A committee was appointed and the following report presented and adopted.
Inasmuch as it is a fact, that in the past there have been aged ministers and their families who, after years of noble self sacri- ficing labor for the church, have been left to spend the closing years of their lives deprived of the natural comforts of life and sometimes in absolute want; and
.
Inasmuch as we consider it a sacred duty of the church to provide for those who have worn themselves out in the work of the ministry and in sickness or old age are left in need; and
Inasmuch as the plan of the General Synod for providing for such has been and is, through a Pastor's Fund Society; Therefore,
In order that our work may harmonize with the General Synod's, we recommend
First. That the Synod of Northern Indiana to-day begin the organization of a Pastor's Fund Association by the election of tive of its members, three clerical and two lay, one for a term of five years, one for four years, one of three years, one of two years and one of one year; and in the future each year to elect one member for the term of five years.
Second. That the duties of these persons be made the following:
(1) To organize themselves by the election of a President, Sce- retary and Treasury.
(2) To hold annual meetings at the time and place of the meeting of Synod and to report all proceeding to Synod for its action.
(3) To provide plans and take action toward securing funds for their relief, and to apply these funds in accordance with the direction of Synod.
Rev. C. J. Kiefer, Philip Ray, E.g., Rev. J. J. Purcell, Rev. J. L. Guard and A. W. Morrison, Esq., were elected to
52
SYNOD OF NORTHERN INDIANA.
serve for the number of years as the order indicates, the last to serve for one year. A meeting was held during this con- vention of Synod and Rey. C. J. Kiefer was elected Presi- deut, Rev. J. J. Purcell, Secretary; and A. W. Morrison, Treasurer.
The following " Rules and Regulations" were presented to the Synod at its annual meeting and were adopted :
1. The name of this society shall be "The Pastor's Fund Society of the Synod of Northern Indiana of the General Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church."
11. This society shall consist of five members, three clerical and two lay, elected by the Synod, one to be elected at cach annual convention hereafter, to serve for a period of five years,
This society shall hold annual meetings at the time and place of the meeting of Synod, and report all its proceeding to Synod for its action.
IV. At each of its annual meetings it shall elect the follow- ng officers to serve for a period of one year. President, Seere- tary and Treasurer, and these officers shall perform the duties usually assigned to their respective offices.
Y: It shall be the duty of this society:
(1) To provide plans and take action toward securing funds for the relief of ministers who are in need of assistance.
(2) To seek out cases where aid is needed and as far as possi- sible to provide for their relief.
(3) In cases where it is necessary that relief shall be given at any time between the conventions of Synod, this society shall have the right to a appropriate immediately, but in other cases the funds shall be paid out according to the appropriations or Synod.
(1) It shall make arrangements looking to the establishment of a permanent fund by seenring bequest and legacies, and by the use of any accrued fund arising from the apportionment of any other source
53
THE SYNOD AND PASTOR'S FUND ASSOCIATION.
We recommend:
(1) That all the fund- in the hands of the Synodical treasurer for Pastor's Fund be by this Synod ordered paid into the hand- of the Synodical Treasurer, and by him paid over into the hands of the Pastor's Fund without special order from Synod.
(2) In order that funds may be secured as speedily as possi- ble, we recommend that Synod at this meeting apportion for this object at the rate of four cents per member.
Since the organization of this society, better work has been done. Almost every year some small assistance has been tendered. The demands are increasing and the near future will require larger things along the- line. A four per cent. appropriation will not meet the requirements. No bequests, no legacies, no special gifts have been received for this work. and yet none appeals to us with such pathos and power. The aged ministers, who gave the energies of their lives to building up the Lutheran Church on this territory are na longerable to engage in the labors of an active ministry. Some have gone to their reward and are wearing the crown that is studded with the shining stars of souls redeemed through their humble labors. Some linger with us on this side of the river. The strength of life is gone, natural forces have abated, the eye has grown dim, the steps faltering, the voice tremulouts. The fires glow upon the altar of their souls -- the passion for winning men to Christ has not died away, but the earthly house is failing. The church received all that they could give the world by their earnest, self-sacrificing lives, and she will not, dare not forget them in their time of need. The evening of their lives will be gladdened by her faithfulness to them as she was gladdened by their fidelity to ber all their
54
SYNOD OF NORTHERN INDLIN.A.
days. During the present year she has given from her treas- ury to four of these, and has bad other appeals that were prophetic of the larger work that remains to be done. It behooves her to make haste and replenish her treasury, that the last days of some of her best servants may be saved from actual suffering and want.
THE SYNOD AND OTHER BENEVOLENT WORK.
Aside from the educational and the Home missionary work in which the Synod has been so intensely engaged, she has also borne her humble part in all the other benevolent activities of the church. In Foreign missions she has a deep and abiding interest. Her contributions for this work begin with her his- tory. It is true that they were small in her first years, but there were few churches and the membership was poor and scattered. The spirit of the gospel is shown in her willingness to consider the subject even in the days of her poverty and when the one absorbing topic was the development of the church upon her own territory. But she was not unmindful of the Master's injunction, .. Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." She believed that every one who had heard the glad tidings of salvation should make some effort to tell the good news to those who had no knowl- edge of what Christ had done for men. So her ministers preached and in a humble way the newly organized congrega- tions took up the work, which has been continued with increas- ing interest and with ever-enlarging contributions through all the years of her history. In 1861 she welcomed Rey. Morris
55
THE SYNOD AND OTHER BENEVOLENT WORK.
Officer to her annual meeting and gave him the strongest assur- ances of her sympathy and support in the work which he repre- sonted. The following resolutions were passed:
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.