USA > Ohio > Richland County > Mansfield > A history of the Wittenberg Synod of the General Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1847-1916 > Part 6
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18 Crouse, Autobiog., pp. 146-149.
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Our good old pastors dreaded and did all they could to prevent one of the effects of the Gospel which Christ declared it would have in this wicked sin cursed world. "For I am come to set a man at variance against his father and the daughter against her mother and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, and a man's foes shall be they of his own household." But has there ever been a prophecy that has been more strikingly fulfilled in the history of the church than this one? And this prediction of our Lord must needs continue to be fulfilled until all men unite in obeying the commands of the Prince of Peace. The declara- tion once made by a certain preacher contains more truth by far than poetry. "There is no good done until the devil gets mad.".
There were some of our preachers who became noted during those years of spiritual awakening on account of their good success in leading professors of religion out of their dead formalism and starting them in the way of experimental and practical godli- ness. The following brethren whose praise was in the Gospel throughout all our churches deserve special mention : Revs. Keil, Ritz, Ruth, Lane, Leiter, Seidel, Wagner, Hoffman, Guenther, Sloan and Sechrist, Of course our ministers were all, with but few ex- ceptions, earnest active workers for the Master, but those I have mentioned will be especially remembered by untold thousands of immortal spirits who through their labors under God were "Turned from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God."
But these noble brethren have nearly all been called from their labors on earth, to their great re- ward in heaven, while those who still remain among
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the living are patiently waiting the Master's coming to take them to their longed for home beyond the stars. The period about which I write may with propriety be regarded as the transition period in the history of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ohio, as represented in the General Synod of the United States. Before the departure taken by the Churches in East Ohio and Wittenberg Synods, by which they became aggressive both in their preaching and in their methods of working and living, the more vital doctrines as taught by Luther and revived by Spener, Francke and others, were practically ignored by the pulpit not only, but actually despised and denounced by many of the preachers of the Old School (socalled) as being Methodistic. And there are many persons living still who need not be told that forty and fifty years ago many of our Lutheran and Reformed preachers together with the majority of their. parish- ioners hated Methodism much more bitterly than they did sin and the Devil.
But after assuming an aggressive attitude, adopt- ing active measures for promoting the cause and work of Christ in the World,-after carrying the warfare for the conquest of the World to the Cross of King Emmanuel, into every nook and corner of her popula- tion, the more intelligent among all classes of people began to recognize Lutheranism as a great and ef- fective power for good in the world.
The history and the true character, the principles of doctrine and life, of Lutheranism, had become well nigh totally obscured even among the professed fol- lowers of the Hero of the Reformation."
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It is likewise an interesting fact,-and we note it incidentally,-that, during this same period, fully one- third of the Synods comprising the General Synod were organized, viz .: East Ohio, East Pennsylvania, Allegheny, Miami, Wittenberg, Olive Branch, Min- isterium of Pennsylvania, Northern Illinois, Pittsburg. Northern Indiana, Southern Illinois, and Melancthon. Several causes contributed to the unusual activities of these times. Two of these are prominent. We mention first, the fact alluded to in a former chapter of a widely prevalent religious awakening that con- tinued unabated for several decades. It was not so much a revival of religious feeling, as is often and usually understood by that term, but a wide-spread awakening in churches of all denominations,-a re- actionary movement away from the rationalism that had come across the seas, poisoning the minds and weakening the activities of the Church,-a drifting away from everything of a positive and definite nature as to the teaching of scripture and a sturdy faith in the confessions of the Church. It was not so much a reaction against formalism in the churches as against religious indifference and practical unbelief in the essentials of religion. In this movement, every pastor became his own evangelist, and, quickened by a keen sense of personal responsibility for the spiritual wel- fare of his own flock, sought to awaken a new interest in the vital doctrines of the Gospel and in the work of the kingdom of Christ. A second cause of this period of advancement is found in a return to clearer statement and more definite expression of the Doctrinal basis of General Synod Lutheranism. In the language of one of our most gifted writers, "For years our
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Church had for the most part been almost completely divorced from her doctrinal standards. Congregations were organized, synods were formed and ministers were licensed and ordained without any kind of reference to the Augsburg Confession as the generic creed of Lutheranism. Many of her ministers made special efforts to show that the Lutheran Communion deserved existence as a denomination not because she held the truth of the Gospel in any peculiar sense and emphasized certain doctrines not emphasized by others, but in consequence of what she confessed as the common heritage of all Protestant Christians. Among us, there was no sort of uniformity of doctrine, worship or practice."*
This statement is in no way overdrawn. But few of our ministers even, - largely because of the lack of a sound consistent Lutheran literature in the English language, - were familiar with our doctrinal standards and historic customs and usages. The historic sense was almost entirely lost in the transition from a Ger- man to an English speaking Church. It was both natural and easy to drift into the current methods of other churches and to neglect the proper education of our people in the historic faith and usage of our own Church in this and other lands. Besides, our ministers were so overwhelmed in their work, so abundant in labors and sacrifices, as to have but little time for special study. The General Synod therefore found it necessary to define and declare the proper position and authority of our creedal confessions. This it did in
*Dr. D. H. Bauslin in Lutheran Quarterly, July, 1910, p. 381.
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1864, in a way that left no doubt as to the identity of the American Church with that of historic Luther- anism in other ages and lands. This was done in these words, "We receive and hold with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of our Fathers, the word of God as contained in the Canonical Scripture 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 doctrine of the Divine Word and of the faith of our Church as founded upon that Word."
This declaration defined three things: First, it defined the American Lutheran Church and the Church of our Fathers across the sea, to be one in faith and doctrine. Second, it defined the Holy Scrip- tures as the sole authority in all matters of faith and conduct ; and, third, it declared the Augsburg Confes- sion to be a correct exhibition of the fundamental doctrines of the Divine Word and the faith of our Church as founded upon that word. We thus found ourselves to be here, in America, and elsewhere, his- torically and distinctively, the "Church of the Augs- burg Confession." It was during this period that the "New Measure" methods attained their widest in- fluence. While these methods never gained universal recognition throughout the Lutheran Church, yet on the territory of Wittenberg Synod, they were given a hearty welcome, and there were but few churches and pastors that did not employ them to a greater or less extent. It is due, however, to the memory of those who laid the foundations in pioneer days, as the records of the Synod from year to year, will clearly show, that, though they were surrounded by the wildest
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revivalistic emotionalism, they themselves were mod- erate and conservative in their use of these measures. The records also show that along with the use of revivalistic methods, they did not abandon entirely. but, as we have noted in a former chapter, combined the historic methods of Child baptism, Catechization and Confirmation with the new measures and nearly as much so as those who followed after them. Always and everywhere, there were to be found among our pastors a few such stalwarts as Greenwald, in Ohio, and Earhart in Kansas who stood out firmly against all forms of religious fanaticism and with intelligence and the force of a fine personality urged the sanity and proved the effectiveness of the historic Lutheran usages and methods. During this period of a quarter of a century, the Lutheran Church on the territory of Wittenberg Synod made the most rapid and permanent advancement of any equal length of time in her entire history. In this time her membership was trebled and at the same time her congregations were being or- ganized along nearly every line of Christian activity, as the pages of this history will repeatedly show.
CHAPTER IV
Educational Progress
A MONG the special interests which Wittenberg Synod has sought always to foster is the cause of Christian Education. Recognizing the fact that the Christian College must stand back of all of the movements and agencies of the Church, if it is to be efficient in the promotion of the Kingdom of Christ, this Synod at once sought to articulate itself with the College which furnished for it the historic name it bears.
One or two matters preceding the founding of Wittenberg College may first be mentioned. The first college established by the Lutherans in Ohio was that now known as Capital University located at Columbus. This was founded by the German Joint Synod in 1830. It located first at Canton and two years later was removed to Columbus. It was hoped that this institu- tion would fully provide for the growing interests of the Lutheran Church in Ohio. The day of larger development and greater usefulness seemed at hand. For a number of years this hope seemed sure of a full realization. In 1842, however, when the East Ohio Synod made overtures to the governing body of that institution to share in its support on condition of having guaranteed to it corresponding rights and priv- ileges of property in the institution, its proposals were not allowed. Thus, failing to secure unity of feeling and co-operation, this Synod in its regular session in
(96)
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the autumn of 1842, unanimously adopted the follow- ing resolution : "Resolved, that in reliance upon the Triune Jehovah and alone for His Honor and Glory, we now in Synod assembled establish a literary and theological institution."
This resolution backed by a subscription of $1,500 raised among the members of Synod, was the first step in the founding of Wittenberg College. A Board of Directors was elected, composed of six clerical and as many laymen, and authorized to issue proposals to different towns in Ohio for the location of the new institution and to open the school as soon as a suitable location could be found. Wooster and Canton became competitors and the offer of Wooster was accepted. Steps were now taken toward the erection of a build- ing and the site chosen. A petition was sent to the legislature for a Charter and a Faculty was chosen. In May, 1844, the school opened with four students. In September of the same year the Board of Directors decided to move the college to a more central loca- tion, Springfield was chosen and November 2, 1845, the College opened in its new quarters with five students, increasing to 71 during the first year. The second year, the attendance reached 126. Bright hopes were awakened, and assurance was strong.
.
Accordingly in its first convention, the first act of the Synod after adopting its constitution and unit- ing with the General Synod by adopting its formula of Government and Discipline, was, to approve and adopt the Charter and Constitution of Wittenberg College and to elect its quota of representation of directors in that institution. The first clerical direc-
7
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tors from this synod were, Bishop J. Livengood, elected for four years, and Bishop J. Seidel for two years. General S. Myers, lay director for four years, and Mr. A. Nigh, Esq., for two years.
Much importance was attached to regularity of attendance upon the meetings of the Board. This was insisted on with promise to pay mileage, and to enforce this requirement, Synod resolved at its fourth regular session in 1850. "That if either of the members of Board of Directors from this body failed to attend its meetings without a valid excuse, he shall forfeit his office as Director, and be required to pay Synod the amount of his mileage as a fine."* At this same con- vention, Rev. D. Harbaugh of this Synod was placed in the field as agent to assist the President in the securing of funds for the College. This he did by placing scholarships and by the collection of moneys for its endowment. He served but a short time. Sub- sequently also Rev. J. J. Miller was placed in the field to secure endowment. Later on, Revs. Stelling, Good- lin. Dr. J. Crouse, and R. F. Delo served short terms as financial agents, Dr. Crouse having been called three times to engage in this work for a short period, each time resigning important pastorates in this Synod in order to accept that work. From year to year, resolutions, urging pastors to preach on Chris- tian Education and the claims of Wittenberg College upon our people for endowment and students were passed and moneys collected for the increase of the College library. The first organized effort to secure permanent endowment was by the creation of Witten-
*Min. 1850, Protocol p. 79.
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berg College Endowment Society in 1860. This Synod took up the organization of auxiliary societies for this purpose but it seems to have been left in the hands of the agents of the College and the joint efforts of pastors. In 1895 a special session of this Synod was called at Bucyrus on the suggestion of the Board of Directors to consider the raising of $100,000 as a semi- centennial endowment fund. Other Synods did like- wise, uniting in one effort to secure the full amount. This Synod at this special session undertook the rais- ing of $25,000 to endow a chair in Historical Theology, in the Theological Seminary, the amount to be raised in five years upon the territory of the Synod. It was solicited in notes for five years and bearing interest until paid. A committee was appointed to co-operate with the Faculty of the College to secure it by canvass. In due time the full amount was secured but the in- cumbent has not yet been named by the Board of Directors. In all the special efforts to increase its endowment, to erect needed buildings, to enlarge its libraries, or to secure new students, this Synod has invariably welcomed its President and Professors, its agents and secretaries to her churches and listened with deep interest to their appeals and unitedly labored with them to meet its necessary demands. By far the greater number of her agents and secretaries, in fact all with but one or two exceptions, have been chosen and furnished from her list of pastors, and in these later years her first Field Secretary sent out to herald the name and to make known its educational standard, and the superior advantages it offers to the student, again, one of its oldest and most experienced pastors was chosen. As early as 1866, the Synod made effort
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to establish a Ladies' School on its territory to provide an advanced course of study leading up to the colle- giate education. From year to year this effort was renewed at Synodical conventions with varying pros- pects for its realization until the college opened its doors to the young women of our communities, and then the effort was abandoned. This was done in 1875. and a dozen or more young ladies entered the open doors. Wittenberg now numbers her alumnæ by the hundreds (237), and co-education is no longer an experiment. Her high cultural standard is known everywhere. Ten years later the Synod took into serious consideration the advisability of the purchase of Greentown Academy located at Perrysville, O., to be equipped as an auxiliary to Wittenberg College. After due consideration, it was concluded that the in- vestment would not be feasible, nor the undertaking profitable to the educational work of the Church. In 1908 a committee was appointed to take into advise- ment the projection of a Lutheran Chautauqua for the state of Ohio for the purpose of discussing sub- jects of special interest to the Lutheran people of the various general bodies. After obtaining the refusal of other Synods to co-operate, this effort was discon- tinued. That this Synod has always been interested in advanced education and the highest equipment for the service of the church and Christ's Kingdom, is not without abundant evidence.
The primary and governing purpose in the plant- ing of Wittenberg College was to furnish in the Church in the middle west an adequate and competent min- istry. An educated ministry was a recognized neces- sity. To provide such a ministry, theological depart-
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ments were always associated with the establishment of our early educational institutions. Wittenberg Synod, therefore, at its first convention also indicated its deep interest in the training of students in theology and its related subjects, so as to thoroughly equip its candidates for the ministry of the Gospel in our Lutheran Church. Early in her history (1861)* her pastors were required to present her claims every year. This interest, it manifested in a specific manner, by approving a text-book in the Theo- logical Seminary, and, recognizing the insufficiency of that work alone for a system of instruction, called for a more comprehensive and thorough system of theo- logical instruction and memorialized the General Synod to provide such a work.
It has been the steady purpose of Wittenberg Synod to safe-guard the denominational and Christian character of Wittenberg College as its charter pro- vides. As no person shall be elected to a Theological professorship in the Divinity School who has not been a pastor of a Lutheran Church for at least five years, so shall the Board of Directors be chosen from the membership of co-operating Synods within the General Synod.
The only effective religionism is found among the denominational types, Christian Colleges are the supply houses for denominational strength. They supply the sinews of war in the Church's battle against sin. Laymen, preachers, missionaries, teachers, get their preparation in these schools. They are the most im- portant factors in the makeup of Christ's Kingdom.
* Min. 1861, p. 20.
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There are some things in these schools better than endowment, better than buildings, better than scholar- ship even, and these are atmosphere, spirit, tone, devotion to fundamentals, loyalty to Christ. In keep- ing with these convictions, in 1879, when a recom- mendation was introduced to make eligible to election as Directors laymen who were not members of the Lutheran Church, this Synod strongly adhered to the declaration of the charter which made such action impossible .* Again in 1906, when the Carnegie Foun- dation Offer to endow retiring Professors of such Christian Colleges as would renounce their denom- inational control, was presented; this Synod promptly recorded its protest against such action.t
(2) Beneficiary Education
Simply to plant and endow such institutions, how- ever, did not prove sufficient to realize the full purpose for which Wittenberg College was founded. The field to be occupied was large and the supply of men entirely insufficient to answer the calls that came up to Synod from almost a multitude of places in the church of their fathers, pleading for some one to break unto them the Bread of Life and to lead them in the work of the Master's Kingdom. Early in the Synod's history, it was found that few young men had the means to undertake such a course of instruc- tion at the schools of higher learning, and thus it has seemed to be down through succeeding years. The duty to provide such equipment was brought before
*Min. 1879, p. 14.
+ Min. 1906, p. 37.
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the Synod with tremendous force even at its second convention by three young men of insufficient means, candidates for the ministry, applying to Synod for help.
The constitution of the Synod makes it the "duty of every pastor of the Synod to instruct his people in the importance of ministerial education and to seek out proper candidates for the sacred office and to collect funds for their aid in a course of study."* Before the apportionment system was adopted, pledges were taken for this purpose from individual members and congregations. From year to year these amounts to be disbursed to worthy applicants by a committee of five appointed by the Synod, of which three were ministers and two laymen, as provided by the Consti- tution. Bishops A. Kuhn, F. J. Ruth, and J. Seidel, and Gen. S. Myers and Bro. Wm. Dargitz, were named as that Committee .; At this second con- vention of Synod also Rev. Dr. Ezra Keller, Presi- dent of Synod and President of Wittenberg College was requested to preach on "Beneficiary Education." Thomas Hill was the first student aided by this Synod from the beneficiary fund. At the second convention two other young men were given the benefit of this fund, said amounts ranging from $25 to $30 each. The following year at the third convention of Synod $175 were pledged for this cause by individual brethren for their churches. At first, individual cases were considered in open Synod each year, and then the attention and interest of Synod was con-
*Art. VIII, Sec. 1.
+ Min. 1848, Protocol p. 36.
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stantly stirred and subscriptions made to this cause. At the seventh convention of Synod it allowed the payment of $75 per year to each beneficiary. They were then required to give their notes for the return of the money to the Board of Education without in- terest on the condition of becoming able to do so, or on their quitting the ministry of the Lutheran Church.
Each pastor in the Synod was required to report to the Chairman of the Educational Committee before the first day of August of each year.
(I) The number of persons if any in the bounds of his pastorate who had the ministry in view.
(2) How many of these had already entered upon a course of study at their own expense.
(3) How many designed going to college during the next Synodical year.
(4) How many can and will support themselves.
In response to these requirements, applications increased until the Synod's means were exceeded and it resolved to limit appropriations to the boundaries of our own Synod. They then increased the amount each beneficiary may receive to $150 a year, money to be refunded with interest, if the applicant failed to enter the ministry of the Lutheran Church. In 1872 a complete list of rules and regulations governing the Board and beneficiaries was prepared and pub- lished in the regular minutes of the Synod. * In 1875 Synod ordered that no beneficiary student falling be- low an average of 80% in his studies or below 65% in any study should be retained on the funds of the
*Min. 1875, p. 17.
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Board, and that he must spend one year in college before being received on its funds. The Synod also instructed the Board to borrow funds if necessary to do so, rather than to dismiss any worthy young men, preference always to be given to those applicants on our own territory and to those farthest advanced in their course of study. They were required also to pursue their studies under the direction of the Bene- ficiary Education Committee of the Synod. The work of this Committee became more and more important from year to year, and with an increase in the number of applications and the great need of more ministers, Synod instructed its committee on apportionment to apportion $1,000 to this object among the churches raising the per capita assessment to 22 cents per mem- ber and ordered to be paid to beneficiaries in three installments. Students receiving aid from our funds were also required to receive their ordination at the hands of this Synod. That funds might be on hand when needed, offerings to beneficiary education were put on the preferred list and to be placed in the hands of the Treasurer of Synod early in the Synodical year. Uniform rules for the governing of all of the educa- tion boards in connection with Wittenberg College were recently adopted so as to secure uniformity in methods and to improve the system of ministerial education among all our Synods. These rules require of the applicant good health ; an unimpeachable char- acter; an evident call to the Ministry ; the purpose to fit himself fully for the work; sincere sympathy with Lutheran doctrine, Polity, and Church-life; and writ- ten endorsement of Pastor and Teachers. The Board fixes the amount of appropriations, and reserves the
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