USA > Pennsylvania > History of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of East Pennsylvania : with brief sketches of its congregations > Part 2
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For several years after this the proceedings of the Synod of East Pennsylvania were not printed in pamphlet form, and the official protocol of the meetings in 1844, '45 and '46, we regret to say, cannot now be found ; but from an abstract of the minutes of 1845 (when the Synod met in Lebanon), published by the Secretary in the Lutheran Observer, we learn that in that year Rev. Mr. Ernst, of the Pennsylvania Synod, was received as an advisory member by our Synod, in proof of the friendly feeling on the part of this Synod towards the Pennsylvania Ministerium.
In 1847, also, at the session in Germantown, Rev. S. K. Probst, of the Pennsylvania Synod, was introduced and received as an advisory member.
In 1849, when at Reading, the East Pennsylvania Synod
" Resolved, That we sincerely rejoice in the approximation to a more perfect union of the Church, manifested in the action of the Pennsylvania Synod relative to a professorship in our Theo- logical Seminary at Gettysburg ; and that we most cordially ap- prove of the action of the Board of Directors in the election of Rev. C. R. Demme, D. D., in accordance with the desire of the Pennsylvania Synod, and that we should be highly gratified with his acceptance of the same."
At the session of the East Pennsylvania Synod in 1850, at Easton, four members of the Pennsylvania Synod (C. W. Schaeffer, Jeremiah Schindel, J. W. Richards and C. A. Hay), anxious to bring about, if possible, a better state of feeling between the two bodies, presented a memorial on that subject, which was referred to a large committee, who reported unanimously as follows :
"'The committee to whom was referred a memorial from four
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members of the Synod of Pennsylvania, on the subject of the es- trangement between that body and ourselves, beg leave to report :
"'That they examined the various documents put into their hands bearing on this subject. Your committee rejoice at the prospect of establishing more friendly relations with the Synod of Pennsylvania ; and whereas, those four brethren in their memorial inform us that the Synod of Pennsylvania holds this body respon- sible for a certain anonymous circular, containing charges against the Synod of Pennsylvania, so understood by that body, viz. : with a design on the part of said Synod to introduce into their connec- tion, by a constitutional partiality, ministers from Germany who are rationalistic, unevangelical or infidel in their sentiments, and immoral in their conduct, and to do injustice to brethren born and educated in this country ; and whereas, we desire to do jus- tice to ourselves and to the Synod of Pennsylvania, therefore :
" Resolved, That we deeply regret the estrangement that has so long separated us from the brethren of the Synod of Pennsylvania.
" Resolved, That we earnestly desire a more fraternal connection with that body, and would rejoice to open a correspondence with them.
" Resolved, That we never did hold ourselves responsible for the ' circular' to which there is reference in a resolution of the Pennsylvania Synod held in Philadelphia in 1843, and in the me- morial of those four members addressed to us ; and we do not now acknowledge that document as an expression of our sentiments, but, on the contrary, most heartily disavow the offensive senti- ments of the 'Circular' pointed out in the memorial of the four brethren, and regret any action that may have arisen from mis .. conception."'
" Respectfully submitted,
G. DIEHL,
F. RUTHRAUFF,
J. MCCRON, R. WEISER,
J. A. BROWN,
J. WINECOFF,
T. STORK,
A. WIETING."
After an animated discussion, the report was unanimously
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adopted. The Synod thereupon appointed the Rev. Messrs. T. Stork, F. Ruthrauff and G. Diehl to meet the Synod of Pennsyl- vania at its next convention, in Allentown, to establish friendly relations and to open a correspondence with that body. At that meeting of the Pennsylvania Synod that committee was most kindly received, and the Pennsylvania Synod unanimously adopted the following resolutions :
"I. That this Synod cordially responds to the sentiments on the subject of Christian fellowship expressed by the brethren of the East Pennsylvania Synod.
"2. That we fraternally recognize them as a Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and cordially receive their repre- sentatives in our midst.
"3. That Synod, from this time forth, appoint a delegate to represent this body in the Synod of East Pennsylvania upon the same terms as we are represented in the sister Synods generally."
The East Pennsylvania Synod, when the above-named com- mittee (Stork, Ruthrauff and Diehl) had reported at Danville in 1851,
"Resolved, That we have heard, with the greatest pleasure, from the Committee appointed by Synod to represent this body before the Pennsylvania Synod, of their cordial reception and successful mission ; and that we most fondly hope, earnestly de- sire and fervently pray that the fraternal relations thus established may be perpetuated."
"At this meeting Rev. W. J. Eyer appeared as the delegate from the Synod of Pennsylvania, with assurances of the fraternal feel- ings and good wishes of the body he had the honor to represent. He met with a hearty welcome and was invited to take his seat among us."
At the meeting of the East Pennsylvania Synod in 1852 the committee entrusted with the minutes of the Pennsylvania Synod of the same year report as follows :
" Your Committee rejoice that this Synod have passed a series of resolutions indicative of a speedy re-union of that body with
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the General Synod. To these resolutions we are led, say they, through the conviction that we all agree in the essential, funda- mental doctrines of our beloved Mother Church, and that we are therefore prepared for an outward union, from which we can ex- pect a rich blessing."
Having thus accomplished the long-desired reconciliation between these Synods, occupying the territory between the Dela- ware and Susquehanna rivers, those members of the old Penn- sylvania Synod who were yearning for its return to the General Synod now bent their energies in this direction, and their efforts were crowned with success in the spring of 1853, when, at its meeting of that year in Reading, it determined to re-unite with the General Synod, which it had helped to organize in 1820, and from which it had been so long separated.
This having now been accomplished, and these two Synods being now harmoniousiy associated in the same general body, there seemed to be no good reason why they should not actually coalesce, instead of separately spreading over this mesopotamian territory, and, after thus combining all their parishes, peaceably divide the territory between them. Accordingly, a proposition of that kind was made to the Synod of East Pennsylvania, at the meeting in 1853, by a member of the Pennsylvania Synod, which was placed in the hands of a committee, whose report, after considerable discussion, and after the offering of various amendments, which were rejected, was adopted in its original form as follows :
" The committee on Document 13 would respectfully report, that said document is a communication from Rev. Charles Hay, suggesting to this Synod the desirableness of taking some initi- atory steps towards securing a geographical division of the two Synods (Pennsylvania Synod and East Pennsylvania Synod) oc- cupying principally the same ground. In reference to this paper, your Committee would say :
" I. That they are not able to understand the geographical
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chart of Brother Hay, which he has submitted to our inspection, and consequently they are not prepared to pronounce upon its practicability.
"2. Your Committee are of opinion, without any reference to the specific form of division suggested in this paper, that such a geographical division is wholly unfeasible.
" 3. Besides, we can see no valid reason for such a division. We should rather seek a still greater assimilation of spirit, ' en- deavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace,' realizing ' how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.' "
" 4. As this communication is not official, we do not know that it demands any further attention.
T. STORK, J. WINECOFF, D. SIECK."
Notwithstanding this rebuff, the agitation of this subject in both these Synods was not allowed to subside, but both were prevailed upon to appoint committees instructed to give the matter a careful investigation.
These committees met in Philadelphia (at Lindsay & Blaki- ston's Book Store), in 1855, agreeing heartily to endorse the pro- posed plan of fusion and subsequent geographical division. The Chairman of the joint committee, Rev. Benjamin Keller, accord- ingly presented our report to the Pennsylvania Synod in Lancaster in 1856, recommending a special meeting of the East Pennsyl- vania Synod in Philadelphia in 1857, when the Pennsylvania Synod should be in session there, and the holding of a joint meeting of both Synods at that time in order to discuss the question of union and subsequent division into two or three Synods. To the sur- prise and mortification of many who were present (members of other Synods connected with the General Synod), decided opposi- tion to this report was made by some of the most influential members of the Synod of Pennsylvania. Dr. Demme remarked : " Ich bin dagegen ; der Geist in der Ost-Pennsylvanischen Synode
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ist ein anderer !" Dr. Mann remarked : "Ich bin auch dagegen ; der Apfel ist noch nicht reif; sonst fällt er von selbst vom Baume." Mr. Yeager, of Hamburg, Pa., vehemently asserted : " Ich bin auch dagegen ; dann wird alles Englisch !" Then Dr. C. W. Schaeffer expressed his regret that such a spirit was mani- fested, but he said it was evident that it would be unwise to press the matter now, as the Synod was not yet prepared to take defi- nite action in regard to it. It was on his motion that the Synod resolved : "That we are not yet prepared to take definite action in this matter."
The reports of the Presidents of both these Synods about this time called attention to unpleasant inter-synodical disagreements and interferences on the part of the pastors and congregations, and a joint committeee was appointed by both the Synods " to draft such rules in reference to congregational action as may secure fraternal love and harmony." In the minutes of the East Pennsylvania Synod of 1857, we read that "The two committees met and, after a very full and friendly interchange of opinions, concluded that no such rules as would effectually remedy existing evils could be drafted, and that some degree of confusion, with occasional unpleasant influences or collisions, is unavoidable, so long as the two Synods continue to occupy in common the same ground." Whereupon the committee submitted the following proposition :,
" Resolved, That a committee of - ministers and laymen be appointed by this Synod, to confer with a like one from the Synod of Pennsylvania, on the union of the two Synods, and such a geographical division of the field as may secure the object aimed at and the best interests of the Church."
" After much discussion, a motion was made to amend the res- olution by deferring action in the matter till next year, which amendment was adopted by the following vote : Yeas, 26 ; nays, 14."
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At a subsequent stage of the proceedings it was
" Resolved, That in our action upon the above report we have by no means desired to convey to our brethren of the Synod of Pennsylvania, the impression that we disapprove of the end con- templated in the report, but simply to avoid the appearance of importunately pressing the matter upon their attention ; and we hereby pledge ourselves cordially to respond to any intimation on their part of a readiness to enter into preliminary arrangements for effecting so desirable a result. This was adopted by a unani- mous vote."
In our synodical minutes of 1858 we find a committee report- ing upon the minutes of the Pennsylvania Synod of the same year as follows :
" In these minutes cognizance is taken of the unfortunate interferences which, owing in part to the fact that both Synods occupy substantially the same territory, have too often occurred between some of the members of both bodies. This is an evil of long and loud complaint on both sides, and one which, with the best intentions and the most generous as well as most vigorous efforts, has not been entirely removed.
"The action of the Pennsylvania Synod on this subject is very decided, not only rebuking any of its members guilty of violating its 'Ministerial Ordnung ' in this particular, but declaring also to strike their names from their ministerial roll. This action, how- ever, is made dependent on a full concurrence of like action by our Synod.
"Your Committee is not prepared, ex animo et ex corde, to recommend to this Synod the unqualified endorsement of this principle. The main idea is certainly commendable, and meets our hearty approval, and should be sought by every member of this body religiously to be carried out. Yet there are conceivable circumstances, the like of which have not unfrequently occurred in the past history of this Synod, where, prompted by love of the Church, as well as a regard for the welfare and retention of her membership, there may be more virtue in the breach than in the observance of this principle. It is particularly charged upon our delegate to the Synod ofusd nsylvania to explain to them more
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fully our understanding of this action. [Signed, A. C. Wedekind, John R. Willox and Joseph Stulb. ]"
The report was amended and adopted as above.
In the minutes of our Synod of 1859 we find the report of the Joint Committee of Conference on Inter-Synodical Relations, as follows :
"Resolved, I. As a general rule, we adopt the principle of non- intervention in the charges belonging to our respective Synods.
" 2. In cases of difficulty and dissatisfaction arising in any charge, it will be the duty of said charge, or part of a charge, first to bring the difficulty, cause of complaint, etc., before the Con- ference or Synod to which it belongs, and if the difficulty be not adjusted to the satisfaction of those complaining, and it have its origin in consequence of inter-synodical relations, that then the President of each of the Synods appoint a committee of three to confer together in reference to the matter, and they be in- structed to pursue such a course in its adjustment as they con- scientiously believe will promote the best interests of the Church.
"3. That similar committees shall be appointed in cases where charges are to be formed from congregations belonging to both Synods.
" 4. That the action of these joint committees be submitted to each Synod for concurrence and confirmation. [Signed, S. K. Probst, C. J. Ehrehart, G. J. Martz, E. S. Henry and E. W. Hutter. ]"
Item I was adopted.
Items 2, 3 and 4 were stricken out, and the following was passe i :
" Resolved, That under existing circumstances, we believe it to be impossible to devise any system of rules that will be adequate to meet the exceptional cases referred to in the above report."
In 1861 the committee of the East Pennsylvania Synod on the minutes of the Pennsylvania Synod calls attention to " the very kind and Christian spirit of the paragraph having reference to the efforts of this Synod (i. e. the Synod of Pennsylvania), in healing the differences between the two bodies."
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EAST PENNSYLVANIA SYNOD.
In 1862 the President of the East Pennsylvania Synod, Rev. Dr. Seiss (who subsequently joined the Pennsylvania Synod), stated in his official report : " It was the remark of your retiring President [C. A. Hay] last year, that the principal part of his official correspondence had been of an unpleasant character, originating in the rivalry of contending factions in some of our churches, and in some of those in the Synod of Pennsylvania. I regret equally with him that my own experience in this respect corresponds, to a large extent, to his, and from the same causes." After describing some of these inter-synodical difficulties, he adds : " From this the Synod will learn how unfortunate the relations are between these two bodies. And the ever-recurring annoy- ances of this kind which the Synod and its presiding officers are compelled to endure from year to year, to say nothing of the wrongs and mischiefs involved, ought by this time to satisfy all that the period has come when decisive measures should be taken to bring them to an end. The Synod of Pennsylvania is evidently willing and anxious to come to some understanding on the subject, and to adopt any reasonable and feasible arrange- ments for this purpose to which we may agree, having herself several times moved in the matter, and also recently made certain acknowledgments and retractions which ought to go far to per- suade us to meet them in a fraternal and conciliatory spirit." He proposed " the creation of a Board or Committee of Reference or Arbitration, with full powers, etc. * and that every brother found guilty of improper interference, who will not promptly sub- mit to the decision of this Committee or Board, be at once sus- pended from exercising the functions of his ministry."
The committee to whom this report was referred (of which the Rev. Dr. Greenwald was Chairman), approved of the plan re- commended by the President, but adds : "We are persuaded, however, that there is a better way, to which the Synods must
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come at last. We therefore propose, and earnestly recommend, that the two Synods existing on the same territory should unite, and then divide the territory into two or more Synods, having distinct geographical boundaries." Dr. Greenwald had been our delegate to the Pennsylvania Synod that year, and in his report said, among other things: "The existence of two Synods on the same territory is contrary to the rule of the General Synod. The existence of the East Pennsylvania Synod has been a blessing to the Church in eastern Pennsylvania, and the Head of the Church has given it great prosperity. Many of the large and influential English churches in our cities and large towns, and elsewhere, would perhaps not exist if the East Pennsyl- vania Synod had not been organized ; and perhaps no other form was possible at the time than that which it has. Still it is true, that before its organization there was but one Synod on the territory, and that there are now two is owing to its subsequent organiza- tion. Our Synod ought to make the first advance toward a change. As the irregular synodical relations originated with us, we ought to inaugurate measures that may bring order out of the present disorder. The reasons for the existence of an English Synod on the territory of the German Synod no longer exist. The importance of giving greater encouragement and more extensive development to the English interests of the church in eastern Pennsylvania, was the principal motive that led to the organization of the East Pennsylvania Synod. At that time the Pennsylvania Synod was exclusively a German body, etc. * * So long as the two Syncds exist on the same terri- tory, there will be unhappy collisions. Constituted as human nature is, these are unavoidable. There is a feasible remedy. There are in our Synodical territory the most distinct and natural boundaries for the formation of two or more Synods, etc."
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After much discussion, on motion of Rev. L. E. Albert, it was " Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed by this Synod, to meet a similar committee from the Synod of Pennsyl- vania, to whom shall be entrusted for final settlement the matters under dispute between the two Synods ; and that this committee be also a committee of conference, to take into consideration the union of these Synods, and report at the next meeting of our Synod."
From the minutes of 1863 we learn that the committees of the two Synods met in Reading in January of that year, failing, in- deed, to adjust the inter-synodical difficulties entrusted to them, but finding far less diversity of opinion than had been supposed to exist in regard to the " far more important question committed to their consideration." Concerning this the following resolu- tions were adopted :
" I. Resolved, That in the judgment of this joint committee the union of the Synod of Pennsylvania and the Synod of East Penn- sylvania, at the earliest period deemed practicable by the two Synods, is in the highest degree advisable.
" 2. Resolved, That we request both Synods, at their next ses- sions, to take into consideration whether such union cannot be consummated at once.
" 3. Resolved, That, whilst we do not venture to recommend any specific plan for such union, we would submit for the exam- ination of the Synods the following papers presented at the meet- ing of this conference, viz. : Plan submitted by Rev. E. Green- wald, D. D., of the Synod of East Pennsylvania, and the Plan submitted by Rev. G. F. Krotel, of the Pennsylvania Synod."
The former of these proposed the formation of two Synods, separated by the Schuylkill river, the eastern one to retain the old name and the western one to have the name of the East Pennsylvania Synod. The other plan proposed a complete and permanent fusion of the two Synods, to bear the name of "The United Synod of the German Evangelical Lutheran Ministerium of Pennsylvania and of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of East Pennsylvania."
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The Pennsylvania Synod, at its meeting in June, 1863, fully discussed this subject and adopted the following resolutions :
"Whereas, The various embarrassments arising from the occu- pation of one and the same territory by the Synod of East Penn- sylvania and our Synod are more and more felt ; and
"Whereas, We all, as Christians, church-members and ministers, acknowledge the duty of promoting peace and good-will among all men, especially among members of the same household of faith ; therefore,
" I. Resolved, That in the opinion of this Synod a union be- tween the Synod of East Pennsylvania and our Synod is eminently desirable.
" 2. Resolved, That we, on our part, adopt the following posi- tions as the basis upon which any plan of union that might be presented must be constructed :
(a) The position taken by our Synod, and officially expressed in the Order of Ordination, and in the Constitution for Congrega- tions, recommended by the Synod, with regard to the doctrines and usages of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, shall remain un- disturbed.
(b) The full and equal rights due and secured to the two languages used by ministers and people in Eastern Pennsylvania shall not be interfered with.
(c) The liberal and tolerant construction and application of the aforesaid principles, which have hitherto characterized the mutual intercourse of the members of this body, shall be strictly maintained.
(d) 'The legal obligations and chartered rights of this Synod, and of the congregations connected with it, shall not be in any wise affected or restricted, unless with the full consent of all the parties concerned.
(e) The name of this Synod shall not be sunk in any designa- tion by which any proposed union of the two Synods shall be known.
"3. Resolved, That these resolutions be respectfully laid before the Synod of East Pennsylvania, at its next meeting, by our dele- gates to that body."
3
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In 1863 our President reports on this subject : "'This joint committee assembled in Rev. Keller's church in Reading but left the inter-synodical difficulties where it found them. The Synod of Pennsylvania has had this very question under serious, protracted and earnest discussion, etc. It behooves this body to meet the action of the Pennsylvania Synod in the same candid, frank and fraternal spirit that characterized theirs. The olive-branch is sincerely offered ; shall it be as sincerely ac- cepted ?" Our delegate to the Synod of Pennsylvania (Rev. Dr. Valentine) reported that when this subject was under discussion at the Pennsylvania Synod he had felt it his duty to express to the Synod of Pennsylvania the opinion that it was the desire of this body to unite with that on terms including an immediate division of the territory into two Synods with geographical bound- aries, but that a simple fusion into one Synod would be of doubt- ful acceptableness, etc. And our committee of conference, in their report in 1863, recommend the following resolutions for adoption by the Synod :
" I. Resolved, That in our inmost hearts we reciprocate the feeling of fraternal love, and the desire for closer unity and more amicable co-operation involved in the action of the venerable mother Synod, and that in the opinion of this Synod a union of these two Synods, by a fusion into one, or on the basis of a geo- graphical arrangement, is eminently desirable.
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