USA > Ohio > History of the Evangelical Lutheran Joint Synod of Ohio and other states from the earliest beginnings to 1919 > Part 16
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time there are eighty-five pastors and twenty-four teachers in this District, with 21,363 communicant members, making it the second largest district in the Joint Synod, the North- ern being the largest.
Minnesota District.
This District convened for the first time in Wells, Minn., in June, 1891. Twenty-seven pastors, three profes- sors and one teacher composed the District at that time. Prof. H. Ernst, 'D. D., was elected first president and Rev. J. G. Appel, secretary. One hundred pastors and five parish school teachers make up the clerical roll of this Dis- trict at the present time. Among the districts of the Joint Synod the Minnesota has the largest number of parish schools but a comparatively small number of teachers. This of course means that in many cases the pastor teaches the school. The Wisconsin District leads the Synod in the number of parish school pupils, having 2,145.
Washington District.
This District was designated as the "Pacific District" at its establishment but already at it's first convention the name was changed to Washington District. It convened for the first time in Tacoma, Wash., April, 1891. Twelve pastors and one teacher composed the little band of the Far West. Dr. L. H. Schuh was elected first president and Rev. A. Krause, secretary. It is significant that the first paper taken up for discussion in this District was: "Our Missionary Work in the Far Northwest." Rev. P. Hein read the paper. Forty-five pastors, serving sixty- seven congregations, with 4,403 communicants gives the approximate strength of this District at the present time.
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Kansas-Nebraska District.
We do not have at hand the record of the first meet- ing of this body but the second convention was held in June, 1892, at Bruning, Neb. Eight pastors and four lay delegates were present. Two pastors were absent on ac- count of illness. Rev. Geo. Yung was the first president and Rev. F. W. Gahre the first secretary. The strength of the District is now twenty-eight pastors, five teachers and professors and 7,042 communicants.
Texas District.
This little company in the "Lone Star" state came to- gether for the first time in Castroville, Texas, April, 1891. But five pastors and one lay delegate were present; two pastors were absent. A small band indeed, almost lost in Texas, but they were true men. Dr. W. Steinmann was chosen as first president and Rev. W. Hummel as secre- tary. Twenty pastors with 2,758 communicants make up the District at present. In 1910 a movement was set on foot to establish an academy in this District but as yet nothing tangible has been attained. Press on, brethren!
Australian District.
"I11 1908 the Ev. Luth. Synod in S. Australia, consist- ing of three pastors, eleven congregations and 1,100 com- municants, whose agreement with us in doctrine and prac- tice is vouched for by the Theological faculty of Columbus, O., made application to be received into our Synod. We move that the application be granted and the Australian Synod be made a district of Joint Synod, on the condition that representation shall not be required for the present owing to distance." This is the action of Joint Synod in 1908 which created the Australian District. Owing to the
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great distance of these brethren from the home base we, of course, know little of their activities. At the convention of the Joint Synod in Detroit, 1914, we had the pleasure of meeting and hearing Pres. Heidenreich of the far-away District. But we fear that the inroads made by the War have also greatly impeded the work in Australia. We trust the brethren are faithfully holding on and will be able to give a good account of themselves when the world conflict is over. Three students from this district have entered our Luther Seminary at St. Paul to prepare for the ministry in Australia. £ There will be room for many more, once the mission opportunities of the far-off country are realized.
The Canada District.
In the fall of 1906 the Canada Conference of the Minnesota District was organized. Already in 1908 the Joint Synod permitted this conference to become the Canada District, which convened in its first regular session at Winnipeg, Man. in July, 1909. Fourteen pastors and six delegates were present at this first meeting. It was not unlike a meeting of the pioneers nearly a hundred years before in the woods of Ohio. Congregations were scattered, conditions were primitive, but a true missionary spirit prevailed and hardships were not thought of in the eager- ness to break the bread of life to the scattered settlers.
This District has had a rather remarkable growth in spite of the War and other difficulties. In 1917 it reported 5I pastors and two teachers, serving 62 congregations, and covering a territory extending several thousand miles. No doubt but that this young District will soon become one of the largest in Synod.
The leading spirit in the formation of the Canada District was its first President, Rev. George Gehrke who
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already on the third of January, 1916, at the age of 52 years and three days, was laid to rest. All too soon, it would seem, did his missionary zeal consume him. He was a man of striking appearance, well built, robust, rugged yet
REV. GEO. GEHRKE.
kind, afraid of nothing, a veritable giant among his fellows. But strong as he was he overtaxed his energy. There was no rest in him until he found it in the tomb. Along with Stauch and Paul Henkel and David Schuh we would also hold in remembrance the name of George Gehrke, the Pathfinder of Canada.
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The Lutheran Standard Since 1864.
From 1864 to 1890 is a far cry, yet during all those years Dr. Loy was the heart and soul of the Lutheran Standard. Under his ready and steady pen the Standard became the recognized English champion of conservative Lutheranism. There was no trimming of sails to every breeze, but, striking her course, the Standard braved all opposition and ploughed her way through, "Speaking the
GOOD HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH, SASKATCHEWAN PLAINS, CAN.
truth in love." She contributed much in helping the whole Lutheran Church in America to a realization of her heritage and her opportunities.
"But as I look back," says Loy, "over my long editorial career with its toil and travail, its hardships and harass- ments, but also its pleasures and triumphs, my first thought is not one of complaint that my lot was so hard, but of thankfulness to God for the wide opportunity which He gave me to serve Him in the great Church of the Reforma-
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tion, and the grace with which He sustained me and blessed the work which He enabled me to perform."
At his own earnest solicitation Dr. Loy was relieved of the editorship of the Standard early in 1890, Professors Pflueger, Schodde and Hemminghaus being appointed to take care of the same until the meeting of Synod in the fall of that year. At that meeting Rev. D. Simon was appointed editor-in-chief ; Professors Pfeiffer, Schodde and Pflueger being appointed associate editors of the Mission- ary, News, and Home departments respectively. It should also be noted that during the last ten years of Dr. Loy's regime Dr. Schodde had charge of the News department and contributed to the Standard editorially. This substan- tial assistance was much appreciated.
Rev. Simon had a scattered field of three congregations to look after and felt that he could not properly care for his congregations and the Standard at the same time. He accordingly resigned the editorship in 1897, but at the next meeting of Joint Synod in 1898 was again selected. It was at this time also that attempts were made to give both the Standard and the Kirchenzeitung an editor who should tevote his whole time to the work. Synod, however, did not see fit to do that and has not done it to this day.
In 1899 Rev. Simon was appointed foreman of the Book department of the Lutheran Book Concern. Not being able to attend to this work and to the editing of the Standard at the same time he resigned the latter position in June of 1899. The Publication Board filled the vacancy by appointing Prof. A. Pflueger of Capital University as Simon's successor.
The associate editors at this time were Dr. Geo. H. Schodde, Revs. E. Pfeiffer and Geo. T. Cooperrider. In a report to Synod in 1902, the editorial staff reported 3,322 subscribers and also a financial loss for the two preceding
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years of $194.02. In 1900 Synod resolved to issue both Standard and Kirchenzeitung in magazine form. This was done beginning with the first issue of 1901.
At the synodical meeting of 1902 the editorial mantle fell upon Rev. G. T. Cooperrider of Columbus. Capable in every way the new editor began his work, but failing
REV. J SHEATSLEY,
Editor of Lutheran Standard and Sunday-school Literature.
eyesight made the task difficult. With great fortitude and faithfulness, Rev. Cooperrider continued until the end of 1908 when Rev. Walter E. Schuette of Toledo was made his successor. Like most of his predecessors, Rev. Schuette had already enough to do in his large parish but he took hold of the work energetically and efficiently. The pointed
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and popular editorials, as well as the lively literary style wielded by editor Schuette, placed the Standard in the very front rank of church papers. Associate editors at this time were Prof. Pfeiffer, Revs. C. W. Bachman and G. W. Lose.
In 1914 Rev. Schuette accepted a resident editorial position with the newly founded American Lutheran Survey published at Columbia, South Carolina. Dr. L. H. Schuh was appointed by the Publication Board to the position of editor-in-chief. He served but for a short time. Rev. Schuette kindly consented to edit the paper at long distance until a permanent successor could be found. The Board finally secured Rev. J. Sheatsley of Columbus, who began his editorial work in May of 1915 and is still at the helm in this centennial year of 1918. Associated with him are Dr. E. Pfeiffer, Revs. C. W. Pflueger and H. J. Melcher. These men are all helping to make the Standard a welcome and inspiring visitor in every home. Long live our Standard !
Dr. M. Loy.
Of all the fathers of Synod of course none seems nearer to us of this generation than Dr. Loy. Many who read these lines knew him personally, and,
"None knew him but to love him."
Many of the pastors now in the active ministry were his pupils in the class room. Many more knew him from his writings, especially in the Standard. Many remember him as he appeared in synodical conventions. The writer's grandfather, years ago, spoke of him as, "the young fellow who was always on the right side of every question." Some will remember the hours delightfully spent in the Loy home.
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It is with difficulty that we at times bring ourselves to realize that Dr. Loy is no longer among us.
He was a hard worker. In spite of his physical ail- ments, which often incapacitated him for the strenuous work of his calling, he, nevertheless, did a prodigious amount of work. He also managed to find time to do con- siderable writing so that among the fathers we have much more from the pen of Dr. Loy than from any other. And his writings will be classed as among the conservative books of the Lutheran church. He was not a brilliant writer, nor did he wield a striking or fascinating style; but he was logical, clear and exhaustive. And the golden thread of a child-like faith and trust pervaded all of his writings as well as his utterances.
If we were inclined to offer a criticism it would perhaps be this, that he was always very sure that the position he took was the right one. He left little room for those who honestly differed from him. This was not egotism but an extraordinary strength of conviction.
Since Dr. Loy has written "Story of My Life" it would seem like presumption to attempt to add to what he, better than any one else, knew and was able to write. We might quote pages from this book to show how incessantly and unswervingly he labored and contended for the faith. But we rather refer the reader to a careful perusal of "Story of My Life." It is interesting and prof- itable reading.
A brief sketch of his life we will, however, append here : Matthias Loy was born in the Blue Mountains near Harrisburg, Pa., on March 17, 1828. His father was a Roman Catholic, his mother a Lutheran. As a young man he came to Ohio to take up the printing trade but was induced by pastor Roof of Circleville to enter our Seminary at Columbus. He completed his studies at this institution
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in 1849. His first and only pastorate was at Delaware, O. Here he labored nearly sixteen years.
While serving here he was also elected to the presidency of Joint Synod, in which capacity he served for 18 years and, after a respite of two years, for another period of 12 years.
While pastor and president he was also prevailed upon to become editor-in-chief of the Lutheran Standard which at that time also meant business manager and cir- culation department. A year later he was called to a theological professorship at Columbus. This was in 1865. In 1878 the presidency of Capital University was also trans- ferred to his shoulders. There was therefore a period of about eight years when he held two presidencies, the editor- ship, a professorship and during this time also launched the Columbus Theological Magazine. And all this work and burden was carried by a man of rather frail constitu- tion. Truly a prodigious task, but the Lord sustained His servant.
From his pen we have "Sermons on the Gospels," "Sermons on the Epistles," "An Essay on the Ministry," "Christian Prayer," "The Augsburg Confession," "Doctrine of Justification," and in manuscript - "Psychology" and "Art of Discourse," besides numerous pamphlets and magazine articles.
This servant of the Lord was called home Jan. 26, 1915. Nearly 87 years were allotted him. Truly a wonderful life, may it ever inspire us. His own words may close this brief sketch :
"Our dear Lord will provide for the cause in which He was pleased to use my life, and I have no fear in regard to its ultimate success. And I have no fears, poor sinner that I am, in regard to my eternal future; for I have a Mighty Savior who has prepared a place for me, even for
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me, in His blissful mansions. Trusting in the merits of His blood that was shed for me I have peace in believing. Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift; and 'surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.'"
To give even a short biography of all the men who have labored in the Joint Synod would carry us beyond the limits of this book. A biographical record of our workers would no doubt be of interest and should be preserved. Perhaps the newly organized Historical Society can take this work in hand and at some future time publish such a record for us.
Besides those whose names we have had occasion to mention in this history we can think of many more who have rendered the Church a noble service but who have now gone to their reward. We think of the Fathers G. Baughman, Klindworth, Helle, Trebel, Doermann, Brecht, Butz, Werder, Hoerr and others. Nor have we forgotten the younger brethren, Rohe, Reimann, Oglesby, E. G. Tressel, Price and many others who have been called in the midst of their labors. As we write these lines Bro. J. H. Mueller, camp pastor at Camp Pike, is being laid to rest ; thus additions to the list are constantly being made.
In addition to the list of pastors and teachers whose work is now done we have a longer list of faithful men and women from the ranks of the laity who have finished their course. It would be impossible to even attempt the gathering of the names. But, be it so, we know that they are recorded in the Book of Life. The thumbed Bibles and prayer-books which they have left behind, as well as the gifts which they have laid upon the altar of their Church and Synod give unmistakable evidence of a devoted and loyal laity. The Joint Synod has gathered her strength from the ranks of the laity.
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The Lutheran Book Concern.
At the meeting of the Joint Synod at Wheeling in 1878, the first steps were taken to establish a synodical printing house. Already in 1842 Synod resolved that all ministers secure loans of $5.00 or more, the money to be used in the purchasing of a printing press upon which the Lutheran Standard could be printed. This was done and the first printing office was located at New Philadelphia, O., in the basement of Rev. Greenwald's church. After about ten years the first printing outfit was disposed of and for 26 years thereafter the Joint Synod owned no printing establishment. Publishing, of course, was done by Synod during this time, but the work was done by contract with different printing houses.
In 1878 the matter of establishing a publication house was brought to the attention of Joint Synod by the Pres. M. Loy. In response to this suggestion of the President the committee having the matter under advisement recom- mended the following: I. "That a committee consisting of three pastors and two laymen be appointed to call the proposed establishment into existence. 2. We propose for this committee Revs. J. A. Schulze, R. Herbst and M. R. Walter and the Messrs. Guthke and Schuster of Columbus. 3. The money needed for this purpose shall, if possible, be secured without interest, but the committee shall have the authority in case of necessity to borrow money at the lowest rate possible." This report was adopted and Mr. J. J. Aschmann added to the committee.
In 1880 the committee could report to Synod as follows: "The committee appointed two years ago for the purpose of making a beginning in the establishment of a printing office of Synod, has carried out its instructions. In order to meet the first expenses the committee borrowed $763.70 from various sources. The respective accounts are
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FFE E A HERAN BOOK CONCERN
R
Tur · RUDOLPH ! WURLITZER,
pr F &. HEER PRINTING
LUTHERAN BOOK CONCERN, COLUMBUS, O.
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presented and found to be correct. The securing of further material and the conducting of this department was referred to our agent, J. J. Aschmann and Mr. F. J. Heer."
A series of resolutions were adopted by Synod for the government of the establishment and the following persons were elected to constitute the Publication Board : Pastors R. Herbst, J. A. Schulze, D. Simon and Messrs. J. H. Spiel- mann and R. Guthke. A special editing committee consist- ing of Profs. M. Loy, C. H. L. Schuette and C. A. Frank was also appointed at this meeting. Rev. J. L. Trauger was elected agent to take charge of the establishment.
In 1882 the secretary of the Board could give the following encouraging report to Synod: "Two years of experience are behind us. We can, on the basis of this experience, assure Synod that our expectations have been more than realized. The only painful reflection is that the work was not begun fifteen or twenty years ago. Had that been done, the profits arising from our publications might to-day entirely support our institutions." A little too sanguine, perhaps, were these brethren in their predictions, as the subsequent history of our publication work shows, but they were active and did good work. The work expanded from year to year. In 1892 the present site on East Main St., Columbus, was purchased. On this site, from time to time, the original building, completed in 1893, has been enlarged until at present our splendid and imposing Book Concern covers the entire lot five stories high. It is recognized to- day as one of the leading Lutheran book and publication houses of the country. Under the able direction of Manager Dornbirer the Book Concern has rendered the Joint Synod, and the Lutheran Church at large, a distinct service in publishing the necessary church literature in good form and for moderate prices; at the same time returning
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considerable profit back into the educational and benevolent treasuries of Synod.
Even under war conditions, with labor and material constantly increasing in price, the report of the Book Con- cern for the year ending May 31, 1918, shows a net profit for the period of $23,669.38. A large part of this sum is
MR. A. H. DORNBIRER,
Manager, Lutheran Book Concern.
redistributed in the educational and benevolent work by Synod itself.
The Manager is also ably assisted and directed in the publication work by the Publication Board. Some of the men composing this Board have for years given of their time and strength to this important work in Synod. They
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are constantly striving to make our periodicals, especially our Sunday-school literature, meet the needs and tastes of our day.
It has been found advisable to establish a branch of our Book Concern in Winnipeg, Canada. This was done to economize and facilitate the distribution of our literature among the Canadian brethren. We close this sketch with the slogan we would like to have projected far out into our second century : "Buy it of the Lutheran Book Con- cern." It both requires and deserves your patronage.
Our Publications.
The Standard and Kirchenzeitung, our pioneer publica- tions in the English and German languages, respectively, were for a long time our only publications. As both of these periodicals have been followed in their long and useful career at other points in this history we may here pass on to a brief notice of a few of the more important among our many other and more recent publications.
The Theological Magazine, intended primarily, as its title indicates, for pastors, students and professors, came out with its first number in February, 1881. Dr. M. Loy was both founder and editor. Dr. Geo. H. Schodde also served as editor for many years. In January of 1882 the Theologische Zeitblaetter, the German companion of the Magazine, issued its first number under the editorship of Dr. F. W. Stellhorn.
In 1910 these two publications were combined under the title of Zeitblaetter-Magazine, carrying, as the name indicates, a German and an English section. For 36 years Dr. Stellhorn has served as editor of the Zeitblaetter and since the combination, as editor-in-chief. Prof. H. K. G. Doermann of St. Paul, Minn., now has charge of the English section. In these magazines is stored a great
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amount of valuable theological information and discussions, especially with reference to the predestination controversy ; in fact the rising of this controversy called these publica- tions into existence; but along other lines they have also rendered the Church a distinct service.
Besides these periodicals a number of excellent books have been written by our authors and issued from our publication house - the Lutheran Book Concern. The list has become a long one. We will have room here to mention only the larger and more important works not already referred to in this history: "Schriftbeweis des lutherischen Katechismus" and "Epistle to the Romans"-Dr. F. W. Stellhorn; "Eisenach Gospel Selections" and "Eisenach Epistle Selections"-Dr. R. C. H. Lenski; "Mission Studies"-Dr. E. Pfeiffer; "Sermons on the Eisenach Gospels" and "A Guide to the Study of the Bible" - Rev. J. Sheatsley ; "Lenten Outlines and Sermons," "Sermons on the Ten Commandments" and "Sermons on the Apostles' Creed"-Rev. R. E. Golladay ; "Sermons on the Parables of Jesus"- Rev. S. Schillinger; "Funeral Sermons and Addresses"- Dr. L. H. Schuh ; "Daily Devotions" - Rev. J. E. Kieffer ; "Daily Exercises unto Godliness" and "State, Church and School"-Dr. C. H. L. Schuette; "Outlines of Biblical Hermaneutics" - Dr. Geo. H. Schodde.
Besides the above we have many excellent productions from our prolific story writers, Rev. G. W. Lose and Dr. Wm. Schmidt. Numerous tracts and smaller books are constantly coming from the press and flowing out among us. We are glad that our Publication Board is encouraging the production of Christian literature, especially in the English language. The rising multitude of English speak- ing children in our Church must be fed.
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Our Sunday-school Literature.
For many years our Synod has given special attention to Sunday-school literature. Nothing that would seem to add to the efficiency of both teachers and pupils has been left undone. The importance of this branch of our work has been recognized.
After years of effort and testing we have completed a graded series of Sunday-school books and leaflets that should meet the requirements of any Lutheran Sunday- school using a graded series. Also a uniform series of lessons is being prepared for schools preferring this system. Both series however conceive the school as being graded under the following departments : I. Beginners, II. Primary, III. Junior, IV. Intermediate, V. Catechism, VI. Senior or Adult. Helpful Teachers' Guides are furnished for each grade.
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