USA > Tennessee > History of the Evangelical Lutheran Tennessee Synod > Part 10
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Resolved, unanimously, That this report be accepted and adopted."
With respect to preparing the Christian Book of Con- cord, or the Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, to appear in an English dress, the following action was taken:
"Inasmuch as the book, entitled the Christian Concor- dia, contains the acknowledged Symbols of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and is extant only in the German and
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Latin languages, Dr. S. G. Henkel requested this body to express their views as to the expediency of translating and publishing said work in the English language; and if deemed expedient, he proposed to procure a correct transla- tion of it, and publish it in the English language, as soon as practicable. Whereupon it was
Resolved, unanimously, That we consider it expedient that the Concordia be translated and published in the English language, and that the proposal of Dr. S. G. Hen- kel meets our entire approbation, and that we encourage him in his undertaking."
Applicants James K. Hancher and Thomas Crouse, after sustaining satisfactory examinations, were ordained to the office of Deacon.
Messrs. Jonathan Easterly and Socrates Henkel were taken under the care of Synod, as students of theology.
The Parochial Report shows that 642 infants, 32 adults, and II slaves were baptized, and 169 persons confirmed, during the year.
Synod adjourned to meet in St. Daniel's Church, Ca- tawba County, North Carolina, on the third Sunday of October, 1846.
Twenty-sixth Session.
Synod convened, in its twenty-sixth session, in St. Daniel's Church, Catawba County, North Carolina, October 17, 1846. It was organized by the election of a president and Rev. J. R. Moser secretary.
As the time of the Synod was taken up by a matter of the greatest importance, it was resolved, that the action of the last session relative to the Lutheran Standard and Kirchenzeitung, cannot receive much attention.
The Adam Miller case, as it was called, was the all- absorbing subject. The case was brought up by the com- mittee, appointed to report on the charge against Rev. Adam Miller, which was a very grave and serious one. It was resolved, that Mr. W. W. McGinnas be appointed to give a
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relation of all the circumstances connected with that case. After a short recess, Mr. McGinnas proceeded to present the facts in the case, and the circumstances connected with it. After a thorough investigation, the Synod resolved, that the requirements of the action taken by Synod the previous year in regard to that case had not been complied with on the part of the said Miller. Whereupon Mr. Miller with- drew himself from the Synod. In view of this fact, Synod deemed it unnecessary to take further action relative to the matter at that time.
Mr. Michael Rudisill, an elder of St. Paul's Church, Catawba County, North Carolina, and also Messrs. Ephraim Shell, Daniel Rader, and John Hass withdrew themselves and the congregations they represented.
In reference to the case of Rev. J. W. Hull, he volun- tarily asked a suspension from the exercise of the ministerial functions, until his difficulties be properly adjusted. His request was granted.
Concerning the drafting of regulations on the Duties of Church Officers, Revs. A. Henkel and J. Stirewalt were con- tinued as the committee.
After sustaining a satisfactory examination, Deacons Jesse R. Peterson, Polycarp C. Henkel, and J. M. Shaver, were ordained to the office of Pastor. Mr. Adam Efird was received as a student of theology.
The report shows that, during the year, 528 infants and 26 adults were baptized, and 235 persons confirmed.
Synod adjourned to meet in Buehler's Church, Sulli- van County, Tennessee, on Saturday before the first Sunday in October, 1847.
Twenty-seventh Session.
This session convened in Buehler's Church, Sullivan County, Tennessee, October 2, 1847.
The organization was effected by appointing a presi- dent, and electing Rev. Abel J. Brown, secretary.
Besides the ordinary routine business, the following are the more important transactions of this meeting :
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A committee, consisting of Revs. Forester and Easterly, was appointed to prepare an obituary on the death of Rev. Nehemiah Bonham.
"The committee appointed to examine and report on the papers pertaining to the case of the Rev. J. W. Hull, submitted the following :
Papers, Class Ist, Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, are petitions from Bethany Stand, St. Martin's, Mt. Moriah, Goose Creek, Morning Star, and Rocky River Churches, North Carolina, signed by 73 persons, members of the Lutheran Church, in which most of the petitioners state that they have been sup- plied with preaching, during the past year, by brother Hull ; and that after the limit assigned him by the action of the last Synod, had expired, he preached at their request, and upon their responsibility. They further state, that they be- lieve he has been acquitted of the charge alleged against him, according to the Constitution of our Synod and the Holy Scriptures : and that further action upon the subject would be contrary to both. They also pray that he may be continued amongst them as their minister.
Papers, Class 2d, are certificates of the good general character of Mr. Hull, as a Christian and Christian minis- ter, signed by 202 persons belonging to the Lutheran, Pres- byterian, Methodist, Baptist, and Seceder Churches, and persons in connection with no church.
Papers, Class 3d, is a certificate by Mr. Setzer, known to one of the committee as a man of intelligence and high standing in society, stating that Mr. Hull has made efforts to reconcile his wife and induce her to live with him, but without success.
From all the light the committee have been able to ob- tain upon this difficult and painful subject, they are of opinion that Mr. Hull is censurable in some respects ; and especially for having. as they think, in violation of his agreement with the Synod. at its last session, preached before the difficulties between him and his wife were settled ; but that in this
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there is a mitigating circumstance, as will appear from papers, Class Ist.
The committee recommend,
I. That Mr. Hull preach for those churches which have petitioned for his services.
2. That the Synod advise Mr. Hull, as he is not wholly free from censure, that he be very careful as to his walk and conversation, and that he make all possible, reasonable efforts, to adjust the difficulties existing between him and his wife, and live with her in peace and harmony, as the Scriptures require man and wife to live together.
Adopted by vote of the Synod."
"The committee, composed of A. J. Brown, J. Stire- walt, J. Killian, John Moser, A. W. Abernathy, and Daniel Seagle, on letters and petitions addressed to Synod in refer- ence to the Rev. Adam Miller, formerly a member of the Tennessee Synod, but who, while under heavy charges of immorality, withdrew his membership from our connection, at the last session of our Synod, submitted the following :
In the papers committed to our hands, we find three different classes :
I. There are several petitions, signed by members of churches which have, through their delegates to Synod, withdrawn from our connection, and persons not belonging to our church, which, your committee are of opinion, re- quire no action from Synod.
2. There are two petitions, one from St. James' Church, Greene, and the other from Salem Church, Cocke County, Tennessee, in connection with our Synod, and some peti- tions from individual members belonging to different churches in connection with the Synod; also a letter from the Rev. G. Easterly, in which the petitioners and the writer of the letter charge our Synod with having dealt with Mr. Miller contrary to our Constitution and the Scrip- tures, and call upon Synod to reconsider and revoke its former proceedings in reference to the said Miller; and, at the same time, declaring their intention of withdrawing from
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our connection, in case we do not comply with their request.
3. There is another class of petitions from churches in connection with our Synod, formerly under the pastoral charge of Mr. Miller; and also two letters fromn the Rev. Ambrose Henkel and the other from the Rev. Polycarp C. Henkel, in which the petitioners and writers of the letters express it as their opinion that Synod has acted, in reference to Mr. Miller, in strict accordance with our Constitution and the Holy Scriptures, and protest against its revoking any of its former.proceedings in his case ; some of the peti- tioners moreover declare that it would be subversive of the best interests, if not ruinous to the Synod, to receive the said Miller again into its connection; and that if it does, they, in that case, will withdraw their connection from our Synod.
After a full investigation of the whole matter, and the most serious and prayerful reflection upon this difficult and painful subject, your committee, under a deep sense of their responsibility, would recommend the following resolution for the adoption of Synod :
Resolved, That in the opinion of this Synod, the Synod has not, in its former proceedings, in reference to the charges against the Rev. Adam Miller, violated either its Constitu- tion or the Holy Scriptures, and cannot therefore disannul its proceedings.
The balance of the forenoon session was spent in the discussion of this matter. A recess being given, Rev. Goodman preached from John 5, 39.
After sermon, the discussion was resumed, and after a thorough consideration, the report was adopted with but two dissenting voices.
After a satisfactory examination, Deacons Timothy Moser, James M. Wagner, and James K. Hancher were ordained to the office of Pastor, and Mr. Adam Efird to that of Deacon.
Rev. Ambrose Henkel was requested to prepare a trans-
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lation of Luther's Sermon on the Sin Against the Holy Ghost, and have it appended to the Minutes.
During this synodical year, 738 infants and 51 adults were baptized, and 315 persons confirmed.
Synod adjourned to meet in Solomon's Church, Shen- andoah County, Virginia, on Saturday before the first Sunday in October, 1848.
Twenty-eighth Session.
This convention assembled in Solomon's Church, Shen- andoah County, Virginia, September 30, 1848.
It was organized by electing a president, and Rev. J. R. Moser, secretary, with Rev. H. Wetzel as assistant.
In relation to Rev. Joseph W. Hull, it was resolved, that Synod rejoices to learn that his difficulties have been satisfactorily adjusted. ,
With respect to the obituary ordered at the previous meeting, to be prepared on Rev. N. Bonham, and appended to the Minutes of that session, it was ordered that, as it did not reach the printer in time to appear in that number of the Minutes, it be appended to this number.
"Dr. S. G. Henkel laid before this body copies of several works published by Mr. Ludwig, of New York ; and Revs. Stirewalt, J. R. Moser, Wetzel, Swaney, and Mr. D. M. Henkel, were appointed a committee to examine and report on the same. The report was favorable.
Dr. Henkel also informed Synod that the translation of the Book of Concord has been in progress for some time, and is now gone through with for the first time; but before it will be ready for the press, the whole will have to receive some further revision. He expects to be able to have it ready for delivery some time next summer. The object in deferring the publication is to give time to have the trans- lation as correct as possible.
Dr. Henkel also stated, that inasmuch as the distinct- ive doctrines of the Lutheran Church on the Sacraments, are not generally understood by the English community,
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owing to the fact, that the most of Luther's works are ex- tant only in the German and Latin languages, he therefore announces to our body that he contemplates publishing a volume containing a translation into English of Luther's letter on Anabaptism, and his sermon on the subject of Baptism, in which he gives a full explanation of the whole. subject of Baptism ; and also his larger confession on the Lord's Supper, which treats that subject in full. He pro- poses, if deemed expedient by Synod, to make arrangements to have the work correctly translated, and published as soon as practicable.
Resolved, That the proposition of Dr. Henkel meets with the entire approbation of Synod; and that we niost cheerfully recommend the work to our churches.
Whereas, in a work published by Dr. Hazelius, of Lexington. South Carolina, entitled 'The History of the American Lutheran Church,' we find erroneous statements in regard to our body; and whereas said work has been recommended to the public by various ecclesiastical bodies and religious publications; and whereas those statements, under such circumstances, are well calculated to mislead the mind of the public and prejudice it against our body, and operate very injuriously to the cause of truth, be it therefore
Resolved, That the Rev. A. Henkel, J. Stirewalt, J. Killian, Dr. S. G. Henkel, and Mr. Socrates Henkel, be appointed a committee to examine the statements referred to, and correct such errors as they may notice therein ; and that they request the editors of the Lutheran Standard, Lutheran Observer, and such other papers as may be deemed expedient, to publish such corrections in connection with this preamble and resolution.
The committee, composed of J. R. Moser, H. Wetzel, S. G. Henkel, and T. Moser, appointed to report on the subject of entering into a friendly correspondence with the Western Virginia Synod, handed in the following report."
'We, the committee appointed to report on the subject
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of entering into a friendly correspondence with the Western Virginia Synod, submit the following.
We find the following papers having reference to the subject :
No. 1 is a letter to Synod, by Rev. A. J. Brown, in which he states that he received a letter from the Rev. E. Hawkins, a member of the Western Virginia Synod, on this subject, which he refers, together with his answer to the same, to our Synod, for their action.
No. 2 is the above-named letter of Rev. E. Hawkins to brother Brown, the object of which is the establishment of a friendly correspondence between our Synod and the Western Virginia Synod, by a reciprocal interchange of delegates between the two Synods.
No. 3 is brother Brown's answer to Rev. Hawkins' letter, in which he gives his views on this subject.
No. 4 is a petition from St. Paul's Church, Augusta County, Virginia, stating that the petitioners 'are opposed to any union of energies and resources between us and the New Lutherans, except on the condition that they first re- nounce all their Anti-Lutheran doctrines, measures, &c.'
After mature deliberation on this subject, your com- mittee would recommend the following resolution for the adoption of Synod :
Resolved, That, although it would afford us the highest gratification, and we most sincerely desire to see those who are one with us in name, also united in doctrine and prac- tice; and in that case, would most cheerfully unite and co-operate with them in such measures as are calculated to advance and promote the cause of truth ; yet, we wish it to be distinctly understood, that however much a union is desired, it can only be effected upon the assurance of a strict adherence to the doctrines and usages of our Church, as set forth in its Symbols; and until we can have this assurance, we, on our part, can consent to no such union.
Unanimously adopted.
Resolved, That we rejoice to learn that some of our
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German Lutheran brethren in the West, have formed them- selves into a Synod, called "The German Evangelical Lu- theran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and other States," and that they are publishing a German paper, styled "Der Lutheraner," which is devoted to the promulgation and defence of the primitive doctrines and usages of the Lutheran Church ; to which paper we would call the attention of our German brethren."
Deacon Denis D. Swaney was ordained to the pastoral office, and applicant David M. Henkel to that of Deacon. Mr. Daniel Efird was received as a theological student.
The number of baptisms, as reported, is 430 infants, 26 adults, and 5 slaves, and that of confirmation, 252.
Synod adjourned to meet in Beck's Church, Davidson County, North Carolina, October 20, 1849.
Obituary of Rev. Nehemiah Bonham .- " The following is an ab- stract of the facts collected by the Rev. George Easterly and D. For- ester, in relation to our departed brother in Christ, the Rev. N. Bonham :
The Rev. N. Bonham was born on the Ist day of November, 1765. He studied theology under the care of the Rev. Paul Henkel, and received license to preach in the year 1790, being 25 years of age ; and in the year 1791 he was ordained pastor by the Rev. John George Butler, a member of the Maryland and Virginia Synod. In the year 1824, he attached himself to the Tennessee Synod, and continued an active member of the same until the year 1844, when he was thrown from his carriage and severely wounded, by which he was disabled from rendering further services to the church, as he never recovered from the injuries he received by the fall.
He departed this life on the 5th of November, 1846; aged SI years and 4 days, of which about 54 years had been devoted to the ministry. His death was lamented by an affectionate wife and eight children, and also by the little flock which he had gathered at Morning Star Church, Haywood County, North Carolina, at which place his remains were solemnly deposited."
Twenty-ninth Session.
This meeting convened in Beck's Church, Davidson County, North Carolina, October 20, 1849.
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Rev. J. R. Peterson was elected secretary, with Rev. P. C. Henkel as assistant.
The following will present, in brief, the more special proceedings of this convention :
Christian Moretz, Jr., was received as a student of theology.
"Whereas the Rev. George Easterly has withdrawn himself from this body since the last session of our Synod, by forming a body in Tennessee, which styles itself 'The Reorganized Evangelical Lutheran Tennessee Synod ;' and whereas the said body, in its proceedings, has charged our Synod with violating its constitution, according to 'their opinion ;' be it therefore
Resolved I. That the name of the Rev. G. Easterly be no longer retained in our clerical catalogue; and
2. That so soon as the said body shall have clearly pointed out in what respect our Synod has violated its con- stitution, we shall proceed to meet the charge."
On petition, St. Paul's Church, Gaston County, North Carolina, was received into connection with this Synod.
At a called session of a portion of the ministers of Synod, held in Emmanuel's Church, New Market, Virginia, September 11, 1849, Deacon David M. Henkel was ordained to the office of Pastor.
As far as reported, 631 infants and 44 adults were baptized, and 295 persons confirmed.
Synod adjourned to meet in Solomon's Church, Cove Creek, Green County, Tennessee, on Saturday before the third Sunday of September, 1850.
Thirtieth Session.
This session met in Solomon's Church, Green County, Tennessee, September 14, 1850.
After the election of a president, Rev. J. R. Peterson was appointed secretary.
Union Church, Washington County, Tennessee, and
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Winkler's Church, Burk County, North Carolina, were re- ceived into Synod.
On petition, St. Paul's Church, Catawba County, North Carolina, which had been withdrawn from Synod, contrary to its will, by its delegate, at the time Rev. Adam Miller, in October, 1846, withdrew from Synod, was received back into Synod again. St. John's Church, in the same county, which had been withdrawn from Synod, in a similar man- ner, at the same time, was also received back into Synod.
Rev. D. Forester not considering himself properly a member of Synod, it was ordered that his name be no longer continued in its clerical catalogue.
It was also resolved, that, in the future, the number of the congregations and of the communicants be also included in the parochial report.
After submitting to the usual examinations, Deacons Adam Efird and Thomas Crouse were ordained as Pastors, and applicants Daniel Efird, James Fleenor, and J. B. Emmert as Deacons.
With respect to the case of the Rev. Adam Miller, who withdrew from the Synod in October, 1846, which resulted in an effort to form what was erroneously called the "Re- organized Evangelical Lutheran Tennessee Synod," the Committee on Letters, among other things, reported the following :
"No. 5 are the proceedings of the third meeting of the 'Associate Council' of the Lutheran churches of Catawba, Lincoln, and Gaston Counties, North Carolina, which assembled at Salem Church, Lincoln, North Carolina, on Friday, the 2d of August, 1850, in which they state that every honorable effort was made to acquit the Rev. A. Miller of the charge of adultery preferred against him, but that all resulted in an entire failure, and did not render his innocence even probable. They also show, to some extent, the futility of the proceedings of the pretended 'Reorgan- ized Evangelical Lutheran Tennessee Synod,' and the falsity of its allegations preferred against our Synod. They
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also recommend Synod to reply to the charges made by the said 'Reorganized Evangelical Lutheran Tennessee Synod' against us."
Concerning this same case, it was also ascertained that the committee, appointed to reply to and refute these charges, had done so in a very able and satisfactory manner. The reply is appended to the Minutes of this session, and covers nineteen closely printed pages. It is clear and, exhaustive, and leaves no room for escape; and in confirmation of the same position, it is followed by an appendix, signed by twelve elders who formerly belonged to the said Miller's charge. It is regretted that the reply is too long for inser- tion in this connection.
At a called session of a part of the ministers of Synod, held in Koiner's Church, Augusta County, Virginia, April 7, 1850, applicant Socrates Henkel was examined, and or- dained to the office of Deacon, by Revs. Jacob Killian and Henry Wetzel.
According to the report, during this year, 530 infants and 44 adults were baptized, and 212 confirmed.
The time and place fixed for the next meeting were, Saturday before the first Sunday in October, 1851, and Koiner's Church, Augusta County, Virginia.
During this decade, there were sixteen applicants for the ministry; sixteen were ordained to the office of Deacon, and fourteen to that of Pastor; one minister withdrew from Synod, the names of two ministers were discontinued from the clerical catalogue, and two died; 6,576 infants, 442 adults, and 28 slaves were baptized, and 2,828 persons were confirmed. It should be kept in view that the reports were not generally full.
FOURTH DECADE.
Thirty-first Session.
Synod met in its thirty-first convention in Koiner's Church, Augusta County, Virginia, October 4-10, 1851.
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Rev. Jacob Killian was elected president, and Rev. H. Wetzel, secretary.
Rev. Andrew Henkel of the Evangelical Lutheran Joint Synod of Ohio, being present as a delegate from that Synod, was received as an advisory member.
Among the proceedings of this meeting, the following is of general interest :
Rev. Denis D. Swaney was granted an honorable dis- charge from this Synod to the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Ohio.
The Rev. John F. Campbell appeared and presented credentials as a delegate from the "Lutheran Synod of Vir- ginia," to this convention of our Synod. But inasmuch as the Synod of Virginia, at her sessions in 1838 and 1839, passed resolutions, denouncing the ministers of the Evan- gelical Lutheran Tennessee Synod, and misrepresenting her doctrines, and warned the vacant churches in Virginia against them ; and inasmuch as these resolutions were cal- culated to excite the public mind against our ministers and the doctrines of the Lutheran Church, where they are not known; it was therefore
Resolved, That we cannot consistently with a sense of duty to ourselves, as an Evangelical Lutheran Synod, re- ceive delegates from the Virginia Synod, until they render us justice by rescinding the aforenamed resolutions, and give us evidence of their strict adherence to the doctrines contained in the Symbols of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. .
After the Rev. Mr. Campbell could not be received as a delegate, he was invited by the President to a seat as an honorary member, which he cordially accepted.
The Committee on Letters submitted the following, which was received and adopted :
Number five is a letter from Prof. Reynolds, directed to Rev. Andrew Henkel, delegate to this Synod from the Joint Synod of Ohio, with the request that he present this Synod with its contents,-in which he expresses a desire to see a
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