USA > Indiana > Our church, a history of the synod of Northern Indiana of the Evangelical Lutheran Church > Part 5
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Resolved, That we as a Synod rejoice in the presence of Res. M. Officer, General Agent of Foreign missions, and that we have listened with deep interest and profound pleasure to the discourse upon the condition and prospects of our Foreign missions in India and Africa. Also
Resolved, That this Synod in accordance with the plan sug- gested by Rev. Officer adopt some uniform plan to raise funds for the cause of missions, and that synod recommend that each minister in connection with this body preach at least once a year upon the subject of Foreign missions and take up collections for this holy cause.
Ever since the organization of the Board of Foreign mi- sions by the General Synod she has welcomed the Secretary and other members of the Board not only to her annual meetings but also to her various pulpit-, and ha- cordially joined with them in their great work. She accepts the apportionment made by the General Synod which at present is twenty-two cents per member, amounting to the sum of $1, 00% for this body per While she sometimes fails to reach this standard, which ought to be regarded as the minimum of her giving for this canse, she is yearly enlarging the amount and hopes soon to pass beyond this limit. Faithful effort is made in all the churches and a blessed educational work is going on that must ripen into a golden harvest. The observance of a special day by the Sunday schools is adding much interest to the work and giving more system to its methods.
The cause of church extension is receiving a great deal of attention by this body and upon this territory. Indeed it is a
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SYNOD OF NORTHERN INDIANA.
favorite subject with most of the people. The Synod is coming to realize more than ever the folly of placing a man in some city and supporting him in holding services in a hall where he can not command the interest and respect that his work rightly deserves. . She believes that it is just as essential to help a newly organized congregation to a church building as it is to aid them in supporting a minister. . .. Home missions " helps to preach the word, " church extension " aid- in the erection of the church. The latter is just as needful as the former in advancing the interests of Christ's kingdom. The Synod ha- always cheerfully acquiesced in the work of this Board, and cordially welcome- it- representatives to her meetings and her churches. She has accepted the apportionment of twenty-two cents per member which if raised will aggregate $1,008. Larger things can be very easily accomplished along these lines.
The Board of Education which is only beginning it- work and which has the needs of our colleges as its special care receives from the Synod its hearty approval and co-operation. While Wittenberg College receives her special attention be- cause of the relations which the Synod sustains to her in being represented upon her Board of Directors she is not unmindful of the needs of our younger institutions-and she believes the General Synod acted wisely in establishing this agency - - which has the interests of all our educational institutions at heart, but which must make special provision for the younger and weaker ones The Synod has accepted the apportionment of ten cents per member for this cause, aggregating $431 per year, and she makes every effort possible to keep the churches informed upon this subject, and gives any representative of the board a cordial welcome to any of her meetings or pulpits.
BLV. D. I . MAIN.
RERV. J. L. GPARD.
REV. S. KELSO.
REV. C. W. BRICK.
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THE SYNOD AND OTHER BENEVOLENT WORK.
The cause of the orphan is not forgotten. The Synod has at least two children in the Orphan's Home at Loysville, Pa., and begins to realize more than ever the value of such an insti_ tution to the church. No amount is aportioned for the sup- port of this institution, but a special day is set apart to be observed with appropriate services by the Sunday schools and congregations and general contributions made. This day has been fairly well observed throughout the Synod, but the returns have not been as large as the cause deserves. Not more than forty dollars were contributed during the past -yn- odical year. It needs and shout have many times that amonnt from this body. An apportionment of two cents per member is accepted for General Synod purposes. This is to defray the expenses of the delegates from the various district Synode and to meet the general expenses of our biennial conventions. The rule of the General Synod is that no delegation from a district Synod can draw their expenses unless the Synod which that delegation represents has paid into the treasury the full amount of its apportionment. The delegates are themselves sometimes required to advance money for their Synode. This led the Synod of Northern Indiana to adopt the rule that no pastorate should be eligible to lay representation and no minister should be eligible to election unless the full amount of the apportion- ment for this purpose had been previously paid into the synod- ical treasury.
The apportionment for the " synodical treasury" varies from time to time. The aim of the Synod has been to keep it within the bounds of live cents per member. But of late years it has been insufficient. Debts accumulated and the apportion- ment was raised. At present it is eight cents per member.
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SYNOD OF NORTHERN INDIANA.
This apportionment is to meet the current expenses of the Synod of Northern Indiana -- such as the printing of the min- ute -- the expenses of the Directors to Wittenberg College, those of the President and the Secretary in the performance of their official duties, and such other things as are incident to our synodieal conventions.
It will be readily seen that all these are just and needful in advancing the interests of the church. In every line the very smallest amount needed is asked for in these apportion- ments. Some of the congregations always meet these and usually have an " excess," but others just as regularly report a " deficit." It would add a bright chapter to our synodical history if every congregation would meet its dues for these objects.
The benevolent work of the Synod is by no means limited to these lines. There are many "external objects," many other demand- made upon the various churches. A glance at the summary of the parochial reports will show how large these have been. The cause of the Master appeals to his church in various ways, and sometimes presents very different lines for benevolence. The congregations of this Synod have in the main made a fair record, one which will compare favorably with other synodical bodies. The spirit of benevolence has grown with her advancement in material things.
THE SYNOD AND THE YOUNG PEOPLE.
All the different lines of activity in which the Christian church engages can scarcely be enumerated. They are as varied as the needs of humanity. They belong to every phase
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THE SYNOD AND THE YOUNG PEOPLE.
of civil, social and religious life, and find their application in all classes of people. In the fulfillment of her mission the church cannot be indifferent to any movement that tends to the betterment of the human family; but she must of necessity give special attention to those lines of work that are essential in laying the foundations of character and developing a strong and vigorous manhood and a pure and exalted womanhood. The Svood has always recognized the necessity of giving spec- jal attention to the training of the young and to provide such means as are essential to properly equip them for a life of use- fulness in the service of their Lord. Her efforts in this diver- tion may be considered under three heads. The first is the catechetical class. The pioneer preachers in their busy mi -- sionary activities were not indifferent to this time-honored Lutheran practice of indoctrinating the young. Although their large pastorates and their widely scattered congregations made this work especially difficult, yet it received careful at- lention. What the pastor found impossible to accomplish m this direction, he laid as a duty upon the parent. The rate- chism was introduced into the home and at an carly convention the hope was expressed that it might be placed in every house- hold and that parents would be faithful in teaching their child- ren the glorious doctrines of their church as therein set forth. During the eighth annual meeting of the Synod the following action was taken which still appears among the standing reso- lutions and which is binding upon every member:
" Resolved, That it is the solemn duty of every minister of this Synod thoroughly and carefully to catechi-e all the young of his charge, and that every minister who neglects this duty does so in violation of the solemn vow taken upon him in his ordination."
SYNOD Of NORTHERN INDIENS.
There are atrong words, but not too strong for the subject not for the conviction of those hard working pastors. The facts show that the catechisation of the young received more faithful attention then than now. Although the Synod has been rigid in her demands all through these years, in these lat- ter days we find many attemps to offer substitutes for the cate- chetical class. But experience teaches that not one has been found to fill its place. There is no way so effective in trach- ing children the doctrine of the church as this. It helps them to understand her fundamental principles. That is essential in creating a love for the church and in teaching them to be- comeactive in her service. The Synod still holds that Luther's smaller catechism should not only be found, but also faithfully studied, in every Lutheran home and that it is the duty of every minister to catechise all the young of his pastorate and that those who neglect this duty do so in violation of their solemn ordination vous. For a number of years the subject of catechisation was annually presented at the meeting of Synod In a speaker appointed at the previous convention. Latterly it was crowded aside by what was deemed more practical in advancing the interests of the church; but the wisdom of this action has been very much questioned and in some quarters there is a strong desire to return and indoctrinate some preach- ers that they may the better perform his duty to the lambs of their flock.
The second is the Sunday School. This is not an old de- partment of church work; but it had already reached that stage in its magnificent development at the time of the organi- zation of this Synod that it was considered almost as important to organize a Sunday School as a congregation. Indeed in a
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THE SYNOD AND THE YOUNG PEOPLE.
number of instances the school was the forerunner and prepared the way for the congregation. In communities where Chris- tian people had settled, while they were without the preached word, they were not indifferent to their own and their chil- dren's religious welfare, and often gathered in the capacity of a Sunday School and in this way were preparing the way for the organization of a church when God in his good providence sent to them a minister of the word. The missionary always encouraged this work and tried to have it form a part of all newly organized congregations. In many instances, in those early days, it was found necessary to form union schools -- people of all denominations uniting in the work. Little diffi- culty was experienced then from the fact that there was not much denominational literature used. Sunday School work consisted largely in reading the Bible. Chapter after chapter was often read alternately, without a single comment from the teacher. Memorizing scripture formed also an important part of the work, in connection with which prize cards of scriptural design were used with beneficial results. Whatever may be said about the method of Bible study, or rather, Bible reading, of those days this is true that so far as the scriptural text is concerned the scholar became more familiar with it, than is often the case now with all the modern helps that are provided. He knew less of the " Higher Criticism," but doubtles had more of the Bible in his mind. As to which is preferable the reader may decide. Early in its history the following action, which shows the catholic spirit of those pioneer preachers, was taken.
" Resolved, That we heartily approve of the American Sunday School Union."
---
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SYNOD OF NORTHERN INDLANA.
Its sympathy therewith took a practical form in co-oper- ating with the union in the different lines of its varied work. This by no means affected its loyalty to the Lutheran church, Every effort possible was made to keep the schools in harmony with all our denominational enterprises and activities. The literature of the church was commended. The seventh con- vention said :
" Resolved, That we as a Synod most heartily commend the Lutheran Sunday School Herald to our Sunday schools, and most urgently request all our ministers to do all in their power to increase its circulation."
Frequent efforts were made to advance the interests of the schools and to make them more efficient by holding conven- tions, and electing delegates to other bodies of a similar char- acter. In 1862 it was
" Resolved, 'That each conference of the Synod of Northern Indiana organize itself into a Lutheran Sabbath School convention to meet once a year at a time most convenient for them, and each Sabbath School be requested to send a delegate to the Conven- tion."
This was the beginning of a work that was in a few years converted into a synodical Sunday School Convention. An- nual meetings were at first held the day previous to the annual meeting of Synod and in the same place. This was not found expedient, and a few years later it was decided to hold a Sun- day School convention in the month of May or June of each your. With varying success these meetings were held up to the year 1888 when it was decided that the Sunday School conventions be held alternately with the conferences of Synod. The effect of this was to divide the territory according to the
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THE SYNOD AND THE YOUNG PEOPLE.
conference districts, and to have each conference devote one day of its spring meeting to the Sunday School work. This is the present method, but it is of such recent origin that its real merit has scarcely yet appeared. The Synod, however, be- lieves it to be the best and most practical method yet adopted, and hopes to reach a larger number of schools and to have larger delegations from them to the conventions. If such results appear it will certainly meet the ends of such gather- ings, and be of untold good to the cause.
In its nineteenth convention the Synod pledged itself to purchase its Sunday School literature from the Lutheran Board of Publication, and the delegates from Synod to "the first National Lutheran Sabbath School Convention," which was held in Bucyrus, Ohio, in November, 1873, reported that one of the practical results of that convention was the decision to publish the " Augsburg Lesson Leaves," and the Synod took immediate action designed to introduce these into all the schools upon her territory. It required some years of patient toil to accomplish this result ; but it has doubtless been as uni- versally achieved as in any district Synod belonging to the General Synod. Her five thousand Sunday School scholar- belong to that great army of nearly twenty millions that every Lord's day Quite in studying the same Bible lesson, and as if but by one voice, lisp that sweet and precious prayer to " Our Father " taught us by our Lord.
All through her history the Synod has labored to make her Sunday Schools more efficient and helpful to all classes of people. She has spared no effort to hold them in sympathy with all the work of the church, and for the past few years has added much to their usefulness by the observance of the special
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SYNOD OF NORTHERN INDIANA.
days designated for the work of our various Boards. Her aim has been to make the school the " teaching department of the church," and to bring old and young together to study the word of God, and in many places this has been very effectually done. The church in the school means also the school in the church.
The third is the organization of Young People's Societies in the different congregations. No department of church work has received greater attention in the various pastorates during the past six or eight years than this. Luther Leagues, Christ- ian Endeavor Societies, Young Peoples' Societies, and various other organizations have been formed throughout the Synod. These societies have been of great service in holding together and developing the young of the various congregations for practical work in the church. They have been the means of putting new life into some apparently dead and inactive con- gregations, and are educating and training the young for better service in the church. The Synod provides for annual con- ventions by setting apart one day of the spring conference in cach district to the Young Peoples' Societies, and it has been found to be the most enthusiastic and inspiring day of the entire meeting. The influence of these conventions and these societies within the congregations is very helpful. It is bring- ing a new force into service and has already done much to increase the power and efficiency of the church. Mission bands, mite societies, and temperance organizations are also found in this working force, and they are developing strength for action. They are preparing the rising generation for its work as no other has been prepared in all the history of the church.
LEVI MEYERS. JOSEPH -LAMAN. OWIN HERD.
I'M TER BISHOP. GEORGE SPANGLER. JACOB HAAFLICH.
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THE SYNOD AND TEMPERANCE REFORM.
THE SYNOD AND TEMPERANCE REFORM.
Two aspects of the work of the Synod in this particular are presented - one theoretical, the other practical. The former appears in the resolutions that were passed from time to time, expressing the sentiment of the members of this body. Resolutions do not, however, always express the real work done. Very often they are the aim toward which the work- ing church looks, and in this respect must be far in advance of the actual attainment. If all the churches and all the tem- perance organizations had actually done all that they have resolved to do, there would be no liquor traffic to enrse our land to-day. It would long ago have closed the doors of every saloon, and have swept away every brewery and distillery in this country. But if the resolution is regarded only in the light of the mark set before a people, it is important, even though far in advance of what has been achieved. Great reforms are not wrought in a day. Long preparation is needed, and it is good that high aims are constantly before those who seek to accomplish such things. The resolutions passed by this Synod are significant, not only because they reveal the theoretical, but also because they bring to light the practical phase of this work. They illustrate a steady growth of sentiment in the right direction. They show a progress that will be applauded by every true temperance worker in the land. The first declaration of the Synod upon this impor- tant subject nearly forty years ago was;
"Resolved, That this Synod views with horror the dreadful ful ravages of intemperance, and that we regard the ordinary use of, and traffic in ardent spirits as immoral and sinful, and espe- cially unbecoming members of the Christian Church. 5
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SYNOD OF NORTHERN INDIANA.
In a day when the ordinary use of liquors was prevalent among all classes of people - when the minister very often drank his glass of wine with his parishoner -and when Christians regarded it only as an act of courtesy toward each other, this mild statement was doubtless looked upon by many as extreme and fanatieal. Then it meant something to deelare it sinful and unbecoming members of the Christian church. The selling and the drinking are both coupled together, and against them the Synod alike protests in her first utterance. It shows the conviction of the founders, and from it we trace a growing sentiment against the mighty curse of the nation, that increases in strength and power until it stands like a wall of adamant against the fierce enemy. Two years later (1858), the Synod expressed itself in somewhat stronger and more emphatic terms.
Resolved, That we continue to pray, preach and lecture, vote and work for the promotion of temperance until the desolating tide of inebriation be removed from our land, and that this Synod believes the traffic in intoxicating drinks and dram-drinking to be immoralities.
At first they were declared " unbecoming," now they are termed " immoralities." In 1860, two years later, there was still an advanced step taken. The framers of these resolutions may not have been conscious of this nice gradation and advancement, but if not, it was still all the more significant. It was then expressive of real life. In this year the action was,
Resolved, That we as a Synod continue to oppose intemperance and express our conviction that dram drinking and dram-selling are immoralities sufficient to exclude from church fellowship.
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THIE SYNOD AND TEMPERANCE REFORM.
A very important advance. "Sufficient to exclude from church fellowship " was giving a very striking definition to a somewhat vague and indefinite term. Five years later the action became more comprehensive including the manufacture with the selling and the drinking.
Resolved, That the making or selling of intoxicating liquors to be used as a beverage is an immorality, and therefore inconsistent with church fellowship and the spirit of Christianity."
Each year the subject becomes one of more earnest action, and receives much consideration. In 1867, a temper- anee committee was by resolution created as one of the stand- ing committees of the Synod. It was to prepare an annual report and to have the same printed in the minutes of the Synod, that the people might read for themselves the action of the body to which they belonged. The first report of that committee was more profuse, but also more binding. It pressed the matter home to the conscience of the pastors and people with more telling effect.
Resolved, That it is plainly the duty of the minister of the word of God, to set before his people, from the pulpit, the claims of the cause of temperance, and to co-operate with every move- ment against the manufacture, sale and use of intoxicants.
In the year 1874, " Bible temperance " was defined as meaning " total abstinence from all that will intoxicate." Henceforth, the Synod stands on clean ground. She has divorced herself from every influence of the nefarious bus- iness. Her law is total abstinence for the individual in his daily life, and her aim henceforth is to bring about such con- certed action as will prohibit the manufacture and sale of all intoxicants except for medicinal and scientific purposes.
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SYNOD OF NORTHERN INDIANA.
Year after year, the strongest resolutions were adopted, and they show that the Synod was not only standing in the front ranks of the temperance workers, but also that she was lab- oring to create a sentiment in the right direction. In 1882, she pledged herself in ringing words to vote for prohibition and made it obligatory upon every minister to comply with the request of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union in preaching a sermon upon the submission of a constitutional amendment to the people for prohibiting the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors. This request was to be com- plied with before the state election held in the following month. The next year the declarations are very emphatic:
Resolved, That we hail with joy the rising public sentiment favoring the entire prohibition of the liquor trathe, and, that we believe it to be our christian, civil and political duty to cast all our influence in the opportunity God now gives us in favor of the extermination of this enemy of God and man.
The year following, the whole Synod is urged to unite with other temperance workers in petitioning for a special election to vote upon a prohibitory amendment. In order that the subject might have due recognition in the synodical conventions, it was made one of the special annual topics and an entire evening was devoted to it. The thirty-first conven- tion made the following the standing resolutions of this body.
Resolved, That it is the sense of this body, that the licensure sale and use of intoxicating liquors, as a beverage, is dangerous to the safety of our nation, destructive to society and in direct violation of the word of God;
Resolred, That we as ministers of the gospel will use our influ- ence give our support to each and every lawful measure in har- mony with conscience to secure the complete abolition of this monster evil in our midst.
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THE SYNOD AND THE CIVIL WAR.
No one can read these resolutions and not recognize the growing sentiment, the deepening conviction in this great work. No one can bring the charge that this body has not been awake to her Christian duty in this particular. The ministers and the churches of this Synod have stood and today stand in the van of temperance reform. Some of the most devont and fearless workers in this canse are among its number. Some of the most withering declarations against intemperance are recorded on the pages of her history. The liquor traffic in all its forms finds no tolerance here. This Synod believes in the prohibition of the entire business. She prays and works, and in a large measure votes for these results. In the main, the membership of the churches find their convictions expressed in these actions of their Synod. Whole congregations have, without exception, voted for pro- hibition, when the opportunity, whencumbered by political influence was afforded. " Prohibition " is inscribed upon her banner, and she will bear it proudly forward in the Master's name until he grants the desired victory.
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