USA > Indiana > Our church, a history of the synod of Northern Indiana of the Evangelical Lutheran Church > Part 6
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THE SYNOD AND THE CIVIL WAR.
The Christian has civil as well as ecclesiastical duties to perform. Christ said, " Render unto Cesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's." Civil authorities are ordained of God, and his people are taught to be obedient thereto. The actions of this Synod during the dark period of our country's peril form an important chapter in her history, because they give a revelation of the relations
70
SYNOD OF NORTHERN INDIANA.
which her churches sustain to the State. Her record breathes an unsullied spirit of patriotism, and is destined to instil a love for our institutions into the hearts of generations yet to come. Not only did the ministers leave their pulpits, and her wor- shippers their pews for the scene of conflict, hut " the God of battles" was constantly besought to remember and save the nation from destruction. " Loyalty to the Government " was the theme of many a discourse, and the people were entreated to pray in their homes for the suppression of the rebellion. At its annual meeting in September, 1861, the preamble and resolutions published by the Miami Synod on the unhappy state of our country were read, adopted, and ordered to be published in the minutes of Synod.
" WHEREAS, We are taught in the sacred scriptures that gov- ermment is an ordinance of God, and that they who resist the legitimate exercise of its powers expose themselves to condemna- tion; and
WHEREAS, We believe that the government of the United States was established under the superintending care of the Sov- ereign of the Universe, and embodies the true principles of free- dom, and has received the marked blessings of heaven: and
WHEREAS, Wicked men have, in violation of the divine com- mand " to be subject to the higher power," raised the standard of insurrection against and organized an army to overthrow it; and
WHEREAS, the President of the United States has issued his proclamation calling npon the several loyal States to rally in defense of the integrity of the Constitution, and the maintenance of the Union, and the preservation of our civil and religious lib- erties; and
WHEREAS, Our Lutheran forefathers, both clerical and lay, not only prayed but fought for the independence of America, and took a large share in the formation of our Government; therefore, unanimously,
-
71
THE SYNOD AND THE CIVIL WAR.
Resolved, That we, in imitation of their patriotie example, and in admiration of their valor, declare it to be a Christian as well as a civil duty to support the Government in its constitutional efforts to punish treason and. put down rebellion by all the means within our power.
Resolved, That we call upon our people to lift up holy hands in prayer to the God of battles without personal wrath against evil doers on the one hand, and without doubting the righteous- ness of the cause of our Government on the other, that he will give wisdom to the President and all his counsellors, and success to the army and navy in all their efforts to save our beloved country from anarchy and lawlessness.
Resolved, That we deeply sympathise with all loyal citizens and Christian patriots in the rebellious portion of our country, and we cordially invite their co-operation in offering united sup- plications at a throne of grace that God would humble us as a people for our national sins, restore peace to our distracted coun- try, re-establish fraternal relations between all the States, and make our land in all time to come the asylum of the oppressed and the permanent abode of liberty and religion.
Resolved, That we most sincerely recommend to all our min- isters and people, the sincere and devout observance of the national fast, appointed by the President of the United States for the 26th of September, and that public services be held in all our churches wherever it is practicable."
On this territory, as elsewhere, the interests of the church suffered greatly during those long and dreadful years. The President of the Synod, in his annual report in 1862, rocom- mended " that while our sympathy, prayers, money and men are freely given to the government to suppress the awful rebellion which traitors have inaugurated and prosceuted with terrible success, we must put forth greater efforts for the church, ete."
72
SYNOD OF NORTHERN INDIANA.
In 1864 the Synod adopted the resolutions of the General 4 Synod, declaring the righteousness of the war waged by the Government, calling upon all Christian citizens to support the, same, ackowledging profound gratitude to Almighty God for the important successes that have crowned our efforts thus far, and expressing unqualified condemnation of the course of those who attempted to prove from the Holy Scriptures that American slavery was a divine institution. The resolutions are expressed in clear and forcible language, and were passed by a unanimous aye.
In September, 1865, when the war was ended, the Synod
" Resolved, That we gratefully recognize the hand of Divine Providence in erowning the efforts of the army and navy of the United States with success in crushing the slave-holders' rebellion and convincing the world that our Government has power to pun- ish treason and quell insurrection at home, assert and maintain her rights on land and sea, and command the respect of the civ- ilized world.
Resolved, That as a Synod we here record our gratitude to our Heavenly Father for the return of peace to our land and the re-establishment of the Government on the basis of the immortal Declaration of Independence, and of the God-given rights therein set forth.
Resolved, That we recognize the God of our fathers as the Alinighty Ruler of heaven and earth, who hears and answers the prayers of his people, and that we are more than ever encouraged to obey the Gospel precept to pray for all in authority over us, and thus in our devotions remember our Government and all its officers."
These utterances declare no uncertain sound. Truer patriots and more loyal citizens were nowhere to be found than in this Synod. The scarred veteran still in pulpit and pew
73
THE SUMMARY OF PAROCHIAL REPORTS.
tells the story more forcibly than mere words. The same spirit is ineuleated by her teachings to-day, and her sons and daugh- ters will ever be found as patriotic and devoted to our nation's welfare as their fathers and mothers have been.
THIE SUMMARY OF PAROCHIAL REPORTS.
The most carefully prepared statistical report cannot adequately express the work of any parish. Moral and spirit- ual energies expended in the upbuilding of the church and influencing men to accept Christ as their Savior, living after the pattern of his example, are never set forth in the columns of such a report. Money is a great power, but spiritual energy is greater. Figures are expressive of great facts, but what is most important in the advancement of Christian civil- ization they cannot declare. Yet such reports are valuable. They give expression to the material side of the work, and this has its place also.
It is to be regretted, however, that this summary ex. presses so imperfectly the real work of this Synod. The fig- ures given often show a very small portion of the actual achievements. Thousands of dollars have been contributed which do not appear at all in these reports. As examples of this we point to the following facts. For a number of years at various times the Synod employed a traveling Home Mis- sion Secretary. He established missions within the bounds of Synod which were often supported in part, if not entirely, by the various churches of this body; and yet not one dollar of all this is given in this report. One thousand dollars were
-
74
SYNOD OF NORTHERN INDIANA.
paid to the building of the church at Logansport, and at the present time the missionaries of Fort Wayne and Goshen are both receiving assistance, but the parochial reports give noth- ing of this. A pledge of three thousand dollars was at one time given to Wittenberg and redeemed, but the parochial report does not show it. Even now, without a column to express the contributions to our college, the Synod is doing her share in the support of that institution. These are ex- amples given to show how imperfectly this summary sets forth even what figures might declare. The table as appended makes a record of which the Synod will not be ashamed, but if it expressed the real facts it would place this body among the foremost Synods in its contributions to the benevolent work of the church. It may be convenient for printers to have uniform parochial blanks, but when uniformity can only be had by suppression of the truth it is not desirable. The Synods that cluster about Wittenberg have interests peculiar to them, and must give corresponding reports. This is true of all other distriet Synods, and we can never have a true parochial report until there are some changes made in the blanks used. We are doing an injustice to ourselves, an injustice to the churches that we represent, an injustice to the great Lutheran Zion of this country, an injustice to the Christ whom we serve, by having these reports go before the world without setting forth the truth of all that is done in his name ..
Summary of Parochial Reports.
| Congregations. Stations.
Infant Baptisms.
Adult Baptisms.
ยก Confirmations.
Certificates.
Communicants.
Estimated Value of Church Property.
Local Expenses.
Teachers & Officers
Scholars.
Catechisms.
Contributions.
General Synod.
Synodical Treasury.
Home Missions.
Foreign Missions.
Church Extension.
Board of Education.
Beneficiary Education
Pastor's Fund.
Orphans' Home.
Wittenberg College.
1855 22 17 30
5: 25 58 650
8 357
$ 29 37
1856,32 15 92 28' 48.120 1040
25'
971 .
27 32 8 84 12 $ 2 00
$ 34 50
1857 4 19 98 59 102:158.1366
$ 1.991 00,38 178 1542 .
31 811
99 74
45 00
47 00
$ 150 00
1858 43 21 153 89 135 109 1652
3.675 00 36 249 1535 30
40 42 106 60
91 72
37 14
150 00
1859 55:19 192 102:160'278 1539
2.461 00,38 252 1614 41
46 721
147 17
15 76
48 17
59 51
74 26
1861 83'28 258:106 173 316 2643
1.462 76 52 300 2371 .
84 00'
115 40
95 00
85 25.
..
1862 74 25 228 120 247 212 2673 1863 70 20 182 141 192:196 2969
3.840 00 54.319 2365
116 26
151 00
40 50
82 20 $ 32 25
54 00
1864 74 24 215 127 233:182 2916
14.251 50 54 411 3362
98 90
104 40
80 00
87 90
44 25
234 00
1865 65.19 161|118 165 290-2002.
5.913 00 53 423 3048 ..
96 30,
132 80
62 60
73 50
58 25
104 25
1866 71.25 248 252 392 387 3415
5,830 00 55 375 2922
127 45 133 00
65 42
101 52
4> 02
63 00
1867 65-22 146 112.196 202 2900
2.264 35 48 379 3081 37
10, 81.
135 64
25 00
308 45
16 00
17 50
1868 59 14 163 194 258 209 2967
9.936 50 53-274 3168
$6 75 205 75
50 00
126 25
15 31
1.531 26
1869 72 13 159 99 147 181 3540 1870 63:19 150 96 148'188 3001
2.220 00 49 374 2904 ..
89 27
264 17
84 15
4 05
160 72
22 10
12 00
1871 71'12 125:151 241 133 3311 1872 73 16 144 120 233 458 3529
14.697 18 56 386 3113
107 87. 230 74
184 17
36 50
199 39
8 00
24 69
1873 71 15'161 116 213 61,3739
32.294 00 57 318 4075 ..
67 85'
401 92
132 39
35 25 ..
218 85
10 00
9 00
1874 76 14 171 189 248 192 3693
12,629 31 53 416 3875
107 67
209 92
284 87
139 60 .. .
154 77
2 00.
152 00
12 297 41 54 455 4354
142 11' 224 00
197 90
50 27
125 25
3 50
1. 00
14.391 00 53-417 3932'
107 85
214 20
132 75
40 05
106 42
1 00
79 00
13.259 38 56 416 3796
114 42
132 21
160 74
89 17
94 07
2 00
206 44
1878 73 16'148:266 225 110.3507
11.936 96 57 425 3929
90 99
214 47
194 01
73 03
, 00
495 00
1879 76 9 86|138 186 70:3509
15.606 50.53 376 4873
$15 93
106 48
94 73.
99 79
431 29 319 72
163 93
90 81:
7 50
138 50
1883 66 6,103 159 208 80 2938
26,464 56:57 391 3756 45
. 47 41
88 38 386 35 349 52 265 31
89 76
12 00
24 57
1884 78 5| 89 216:214 132|3490
19,071 01:66 452 3212 128
28 03 188 14: 333 58. 355 10. 333 00
77 71:
3 00.
27 00
1885.75: 6 112 144.110 97 3080
17.676 82 59 410.3683 101
51 08
55 02
64 09
154 59
466 41 435 19
393 88 125 34
209 80
59 02 11 00
1890 73 2 116:219 193 154 44061
181,000 00; 195.400 00:
22,151 00 60 719 4970
2.319 31 50 04
133 07514 36 504 34 485 638 62 57
109 68 102 77 66 61
154 84
1891 73 2 150:258 231 104 4728| 198.700 00: 22,356 78 64.817 5281 125 2.429 24 78 27 210 09
59,233 00.611671 5057 137: 2.951 94 101 13 276 76 349 21 293 25 456 62 124 22 305 67
73 85 27 98
23,798 29.63 816,5010: 37 2.433 07 75 25 248 60 544 45 379 54 440 38, 131 76 356 22
90 40 41 39
THE SUMMARY OF PAROCHIAL REPORTS.
75
1892 63 2 126:138, 92 100 4690 198.700 00, 1893/70: 1 98:184 137 202 4608| 213.480 00. 1894
7.410 13 51 394 3107 ..
91 72
316 74 136 42
14 93
150 62
12 10
13 65
1875 69 14 116 105 186 65 3538 1876 64128 118/219 220 117:3353 1877 61:22 114.104 164 87 3449
14,967 84 62-427 4095
17 15
187 67 188 40
344 34
71 67
5 21
162 60
1881 67 19 100 185 198, 81|3573
6.662 67 55:304 3734
72
47 30
62 58 325 04 207 10
407 23
52 50
15 50
169 70
1882 69 15 125:113 144 149,3547
28.629 02 60 420 4052
14 50
160 70, 369 93 322 75
822 36 .
44 27
9 00
23 00
21.719 98:59 535 3930 125 $1 425 46
60 41
30 00
42 00
1886 76: 6 63 135 288 187 3718 5152.100 00 1887 64 6.139.191 165 90 3648 159,125 00 1888 72 3.115|154 148. 88 3629| 156,000 00 1889 73: 3 113:312 161 | 4214013
20,725 66.57 604 4127 |. ..
1.817 32
1.449 08 45 94 149 96 622 13 946 44 59 17 142 71:
600 34 405 95 375 73
207 96
30 00
10 00
117 25, 109 40
31 00
59 30
1860 62 28 265 144 236 282 2048
4.942 00 38 227 1187. . . .
72 10|
166 08
25 00
6.031 00 55-262 2095 ..
5.157 50 49 388 308 14
307 60
73 50$ 5 00
173 23 71 59
196 00 135 50
54 66
6 00
55 00
1880 78 15 95 125.202 94 3415
24.950 00 60 583 4053 43,146 00 59 613 4645
160 78 439 36 472 86
335 68 .
74 48 $ 3 00
78 48: 35 14
43 16
521 88 521 06. 519 86 196 25 331 02 101 94
412 52 408 39
164 90
SUNDAY SCHOOLS.
Schools.
76
SYNOD OF NORTHERN INDIANA.
Synodical Roll.
Rev. H. Wells, North Manchester, Ind.
Rev. W. Waltman, Kendallville, Ind.
Rev. S. Kelso, Logansport, Ind.
Rev. John Miller, Columbia City, Ind.
Rev. F. Biddle, Elkhart, Ind.
Rev. L. A. Gotwald, D. D., Springfield, Ohio.
Rev. C. A. Gelwicks, Constantine, Mich.
Rev. E. W. Erick, Harlan, Ind.
Rev. R. Lazarus, Chicago, IN.
Rev. L. Rice, North Manchester, Ind.
Rev J. M. Francis. Columbia City, Ind.
Rev D. A. Kuhn, North Manchester, Ind.
Rev. O. W. Bowen, Albion, Ind.
Rev. A. J. Douglas, Silver Lake, Ind.
Rev. A. Leathers, Columbia City, Ind.
Rev. D. F. Kain, Monroeville, Ind.
Rev. B. F. Stultz, Goshen, Ind.
Rev. J. M. Dustman, Middlebury, Ind.
Rev. S. P. Fryberger, Butler, Ind.
Rev. M. L. Smith, White Pigeon, Mich.
Rev. E. S. Rees, La Grange, Ind.
Rev. C. J. Kiefer, Three Rivers, Mich.
Rev. J. A. West, Bryant, Ind.
Rev. J. W. Thomas, Spencerville, Ind.
Rev. J. IL. Hoffman, Uniondale, Ind.
Rov. D. B. Herrold, Albion, Ind.
Rev. W. L. Tedrow, Ann Arbor, Mich.
Rev. W. J. Funkey, Berrien Springs, Mich.
Rev. J. C. Kantiman, Logansport, Ind.
Rev. B. F. Grenoble, Camden, Ind.
Rev. N. J. Meyers, Elkhart, Ind. Rev. T. A. Paitee, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Rev. J. S. Nelson, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Rev. E. H. Mensel, Ann Arbor, Mich.
Rev. D. B. Rubush, Sharpsville, Ind.
Rev. J. D. Brosy, Auburn, Ind.
Rev. D. U. Bair, Elkhart, Ind.
Rev. Geo. S. Diven, Logansport, Ind.
Rev. S. A. Zinibeck, Millersburg, Ind.
Rev. A. Z. Fryberger, Walton, Ind.
Rev. J. A. Burkett, Fairfield Center, Ind.
Meetings and Officers of the Synod of Northern Indiana.
Number.
TIME 1
OF MEETING.
PLACE.
PRESIDENT.
SECRETARY.
TREASURER.
1 Oct. 27, 1855 .... Columbia City, Ind. ...
2 Sept. 18, 1856 ... Albion, Ind.
Rev. H. Wells.
Rev. G. Walker ....
3 Sept. 24, 1857 ... Camden, Ind.
Rev. H. Wells ..
Rev. R. F. Delo ....
Rev. J. Wolf.
4 Sept. 22, 1858 ... Spencerville, Ind ...
Rev. D. Smith .... Rev. R. F. Delo ..... Rev. W. Waltman.
5. Sept. 22, 1859 ... Cicero. Ind.
Rev. D. Smith ..
Rev. II. Wells ...... ..
Rev. W. Waltman.
6 Sept. 19, 1860 ... North Manchester, Ind. Rev. R. F. Delo .....
7 Sept. 18, 1861 ... Columbia City. Ind ...... Rev. H. Wells ....
8 Sept. 24, 1862 ... La Grange Centre, Ind. Rev. Il. Wells.
9 Sept. 29, 1863 ... Spencerville, Ind .....
... Rev. D. Smith ....
Rev. D. Smith .. ..... Rev. J. Wolf. Rev. J. N. Barnett .. Rev. G. W. Wilson. Rev. J. N. Barnett .. Rev. G. W Wilson. . Rev. G W. Wilson. Rev. W. Waltman.
11 Sept. 27, 1865 ... Albion, Ind.
12 Oct. 16. 1866 ..... Cicero, Ind ..
13 Oct. 8, 1867 .... Butler, Ind.
14 Oct. 6, 1868 ...... La Grange, Ind.
Rev. II. Wells ........ Rev. A. J. Cromer .. Rev. R. F. Delo. Rev. G. W. Wilson .. Rev. J. N. Barnett .. Rev. R. F. Delo.
15 Sept. 28, 1869 ... Monroeville, Ind .....
16 Sept. 6, 1870 ..... North Manchester, Ind. Rev. G. W. Wilson .. Rev. D. Smith ..
... Rev. W. Waltman.
17 Sept. 26, 1871 ... Constantine, Mich ..
18|Oct. 16, 1872 ..... Columbia City, Ind.
Rev. J. N. Barnett .. Rev. H. Wells ...
19 Sept. 30, 1873 .... Camden, Ind ...
Rev. R. F. Delo ...... Rev. L. Rice ...
20 Sept. 22, 1874 ... Constantine. Mich ..
Rev. R. F. Delo .. Rev. L. Rice .
Rev. L. Rice ...
Rev. E. W. Erick. Rev. A Mclaughlin Rev. J. G. Biddle. Rev. A.Mclaughlin Rev. J. G. Biddle.
22 Oct. 3, 1876 ..... Elkhart, Ind.
Rev. L. Rice
23 Oct. 3, 1877 ...... Camden, Ind.
Rev. H. Wells .... Rev. G. P. Raup ..... Rev. S. Kelso.
24 Oct. 8, 1878 ...... Columbia City, Ind ... .. Rev. E. W. Erick ... Rev. B. F. Stultz ..... Rev. S. Kelso.
Rev. H. Wells ..... Rev. G. P. Raup ..... Rev. S. Kelso.
25 Nov. 4, 1879 ..... Butler, Ind.
77
THE SUMMARY OF PAROCHIAL REPORTS.
Rev. H. Wells. ... Rev. G. Walker ...
Rev. D. Smith ...
Rev. J. Wolf.
10.Sept. 27, 1864 ... Camden, Ind.
Rev. D. Smith ......
Rev. W.P. Ruthrauff Roy. G. W. Wilson, Rev. W. Waltman. Rev. W. Waltman .. Rev. J. N. Barnett .. Rev. H. Wells. Rev. W. Waltman .. Rev. A. J. Cromer. Rev. H. Wells.
.. Rev. J. N. Barnett .. Rev. II. Wells.
Rev. W. Waltman. Rev. W. Waltman. Rev. E. W. Erick.
21 Oct. 5, 1875 ...... Spencerville, Ind.
Rev. D. Smith. Rev. D. Smith.
78
Meetings and Officers .- Continued.
Number.
TIME OF MEETING.
PLACE.
PRESIDENT.
SECRETARY.
TREASURER,
26 Oct. 4, 1880.
Mottville, Mich
Rev. E W. Erick ... Rev. B. F. Stultz ..... Rev. S. Kelso.
27 Oct. 4, 1881
Camden. Ind ..
Rev. J. L. Guard ... Rev. J. C. Jacoby ... Rev. S. Kelso.
28 Oct. 24, 1882. Three Rivers, Mich Rev. J. L. Guard ... Rev. J. C. Jacoby ... Rev. S. Kelso.
29 Oct. 9, 1883
Elkhart, Ind .. Rev. Jabez Shaffer. Rev. Wm. M. Smith Philip Ray, Esq.
30 Oct. 7, 1884 ....
North Manchester, Ind. Rev. Jabez Shaffer. Rev. Wm. M. Smith Philip Ray, Esq.
31 Oct. 20, 1885.
Walton, Ind ..
Rev. A. J. Douglas. Rev. W. L. Tedrow. Rev. W. D. Trover.
32 Oct. 5. 1886.
Constantine,' Mich ....... Rev. A. J. Douglas. Rev. W. L. Tedrow. Rev. W. D. Trover.
33 Sept. 29. 1887 ... Columbia City, Ind ...... Rev. D. F. Kain ...... Rev. J. J. Purcell ... M. Ireland, M. D. 34 Oct. 9, 1SSS.
North Manchester, Ind. Rev. D. F. Kain ...... Rev. C. H. Rockey. M. Ireland, M. D.
35 Oct. 29, 1859 ..... Auburn, Ind .. Rev. C. H. Rockey. Rev. D. F. Kain ...... ; M. Ireland, M. D.
36 Sept. 29, 1890 ... Albion, Ind ....
Rev. C. H. Rockey. Rev. D. F. Kain ...... M. Ireland, M. D.
37 Oct. 6, 1891 ...... Three Rivers, Mich. ... Rev. W. L. Tedrow. Rev. S. P. Fryberger Philip Ray. Esq.
3%, Sept. 20, 1892 ... Camden, Ind ...
Rov. W. L. Tedrow. Rev. S. P. Fryberger Philip Ray, Esq.
39 Oct. 18, 1893 ..... La Grange, Ind.
Rev. S. P. Fryberger Rev. M. L. Smith .... Rev. C. J. Keifer.
SYNOD OF NORTHERN INDIANA.
79
THE SUMMARY OF PAROCHIAL REPORTS.
A Constitution for New Organizations.
ARTICLE 1 .- Name.
The name of this Church shall be. Evangelical Lutheran Church of State of
ARTICLE II .- Doctrinal Basis, Etc.
Its Doctrina! Basis and Formula of Government and Discipline shall be those of the General Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the United States of America, and it shall always be connected with a District Synod of said General Synod.
ARTICLE III .- Of Members.
The qualifications and duties of Members shall be those set forth in Chapter V. of the Formula of Government referred to in Article Il.
ARTICLE IV .- Pastor.
SECTION 1 .- The Pastor of this Church must be a Member of the District Synod of the General Synod within whose bounds this Church is located.
Sec. 2 .- Ilis other duties and prerogatives shall be those enumerated in Chapter Ill. of the Formula of Government and Discipline.
ARTICLE V. -- Officers.
SECTION 1 .--- The officers of this Church shall be the Pastor
Elders,. Deacons, who shall also be a body corporate and legal trustees of this Church.
Ste. 2 .- The Elders and Deacons shall be elected for a term of. .years, and, having been installed, shall serve until their Snecessors are elected.
SEc. 3 .- Their duties shall be those set forth in Chapter III., Section 6. of the Formula of Government.
ARTICLE VI .- The Church Council.
SECTION 1 .- The Church Council shall consist of the Pastor, Elders, and Deacons; the Pastor shall be ex-officio president.
See. 2 .- The duties and privileges of the Church Council shall be those set forth in Chapter IV. of the Formula of Government.
80
SYNOD OF NORTHERN INDIANA.
Ske. 3 .- They shall annually elect a Secretary and Treasurer, who shall perform the usual duties pertaining to these otlices, and shall make quarterly reports of the financial condition of the Church.
ARTICLE VII .- Elections.
All elections shall be conducted agreeably to Chapter VI. of the Church Formula of Government.
ARTICLE VIII .- Title to Property.
The title to its property shall always be vested in the trustees of the body corporate. But if at any time this Church should fail to elect officers, disband or change its ecclesiastical relations, con- trary to the provisions of this Constitution, then the title to its property shall be vested in the Board of Church Extension of the General Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the United States.
ARTICLE 1X .- Incorporation.
It shall be the duty of the Secretary, immediately after the adoption of the Constitution, to present a copy of the same, with the names of the officers elected, signed by himself and the chair- man of the meeting, to the Clerk of Court in the county in which this Church is located, for file or record as the laws may provide.
ARTICLE X .- AAmendments.
No alteration or amendment to this Constitution shall be made unless recommended by a majority of the Church Council and approved by a two-thirds vote of the Church at a congrega- tional meeting regularly called agreeably to Chapter VI., Sections 2 and 3 of the Church Formula: and no alteration or amendment of Article II., Article IV., Section 1, or Article VIII., shall ever be made so long as one Member of the Church is opposed to said alteration or amendment.
.
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81
W. H. & F. M. SOCIETY.
Officers Eleeted.
Elders.
Deacons
Signed ....
Chairman.
Secretary.
W. HI. & F. M. SOCIETY.
The convention that was held in June, 1879, in Canton, Ohio, for the purpose of organizing a Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society in the General Synod was far- reaching in its effects. Isolated workers and societies were brought together and a uneleus formed which forecast a strong and energetic organization reaching to the remotest parts of this portion of Christ's Kingdom. Prior to that convention a number of societies had been formed in various congregations, and a few synodieal organizations already existed. A new impetus was, however, given to the work. It was largely at- tended by pastors and prominent lay-workers and these carried the enthusiasmn and inspiration of that occasion back to their respective pulpits and congregations. It bore golden fruitage. 6
82
SYNOD OF NORTHERN INDIANA.
At that time, however, not a single society existed on the ter- ritory of this Synod, neither was it represented in that conven- tion. But the leaven was at work. Earnest souls came in contact with those who went forth from that assembly and showed themselves willing to assume the duties of this cause. Filled with the spirit of the gospel and anxious to see this good work advanced on the territory of this Synod, Mrs. A. V. Hunter, of Columbia City, Ind., began the work of organiz- ing societies in our midst. With faith and devotion albeit with many anxious fears, she gave herself untiringly to this cause. The first society was organized in her home church, March 16, 1882. By personal visitation and by letter she brought the work before the women of our various congrega- tions, pleading its necessity with a tenderness and persistence that touched and won other souls. God was elsewhere bounti- fully blessing this work. Why should he not here ? A vast field for usefulness was opened. A golden opportunity had come to the women of this Synod. Would it be improved ? A natural timichty existed on their part to assume such duties and cares. Earnest and devoted as they were to Christ and his church they were untrained for, and unaccustomed to such a line of work. They shrank from the publicity which it must of necessity bring, but when they heard " The Master is come and calleth for thee," like Mary of old, many of them at once arose and went forth to meet him. A second society was organized in the same month at Berrien Springs, Mich. ; one at La Grange, Ind., June 27; several in the Massillon pastorate during August; one at White Pigeon, Mich., in September and one at Elkhart, Ind., in October, making a total of eight societies with a combined membership of one hundred and
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