USA > Tennessee > History of the Evangelical Lutheran Tennessee Synod > Part 13
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Resolved, That a committee be appointed, consisting of members of this session, present from the different sections of the Synod, to whom shall be referred all the papers ad- dressed to this meeting, bearing upon the subject; and that it be made the duty of said committee to examine the re- vision prepared by the convention, to make such arrange- ment of its parts as may be deemed proper, to make such suggestions as may be considered necessary and suitable, and to report to this meeting.
On motion, a committee was appointed in accordance with the resolution, consisting of the following members of Synod: Revs. A. Efird, H. Goodman, H. Wetzel, J. Killian, J. Stirewalt, J. R. Peterson, M. J. Stirewalt, J. C. Barb, S. Henkel, Dr. S. G. Henkel, and A. Koiner, Esq.
The report of this committee was received and adopted, and the revision of the Constitution, as amended by this committee, was taken up, and read section by section, and
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article by article, and after several slight amendments, it was adopted section by section and article by article. It was then
Resolved, That the revision, as amended, be appended to the Minutes of this meeting, and that it be made the duty of all the ministers in connection with this Synod to lay the same before their respective congregations for their acceptance or rejection, and report the result of the action of the congregations to the next meeting of this Synod, that final action may be taken.
Revs. J. R. Peterson, A. J. Fox, P. C. Henkel, A. Efird, J. Killian, A. J. Brown, and J. M. Wagner, were appointed a committee to draft by-laws and rules of order for this Synod, and report them for adoption at its next convention.
On motion, by A. Koiner, Esq., the following preamble and resolution were passed :
Whereas, Synod has heard with deep regret the inade- quacy of the support of our ministers, and the destitution of some of our congregations ; therefore, be it
Resolved, That each minister of this Synod is hereby requested to preach at least one sermon to each of his con- gregations, during the ensuing synodical year, on the duty of the congregations to give their ministers an adequate support, and also one sermon urging the claims of our desti- tute congregations, and the necessity of encouraging young men to engage in the work of the ministry.
A letter of honorable dismission was granted Rev. M. Sondhaus.
Deacon Miles J. Stirewalt was ordained to the office of Pastor.
Q. S. Stirewalt and John S. Bennick were received as students of theology.
During this synodical year, 669 infants, 38 adults, and 65 slaves were baptized, and 280 persons were confirmed.
The time for the next meeting was Saturday before the
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third Sunday of October, 1860, and the place, St. John's Church, Catawba County, North Carolina.
Fortieth Session.
Synod assembled in St. John's Church, Catawba County, North Carolina, on Saturday before the third Sunday of October, 1860.
The officers of this session were: Revs. A. J. Fox, president; J. R. Peterson, secretary; and J. M. Smith, treasurer.
On application, Bethphage Church, Lincoln Courity, North Carolina, was received into Synod.
The following ministers, belonging to the Synod and residing in the State of Tennessee, viz .: A. J. Brown, J. K. Hancher, J. C. Barb, J. M. Shaffer, J. Cloninger, James Fleenor, and J. B. Emmert, with the congregations under their charge, laid petitions before this meeting, for an honorable dismission from this body for the purpose of forming a new synod in East Tennessee.
The following is a copy of the petitions of congrega- tions praying for dismission, setting forth the reasons by which they are influenced and the principles by which they intend to be guided :
To the Evangelical Lutheran Tennessee Synod, to be con- vened in St. John's Church, Catawba County, North Carolina, on Saturday before the third Sunday in October, 1860 :
DEAR BRETHREN :- We, the members of Buehler's Church, Sullivan County, Tennessee, respectfully ask your reverend body to grant us an honorable dismission from the Evangelical Lutheran Tennessee Synod, for the purpose of uniting with a new Lutheran synod to be formed in Ten- nessee.
We have not taken this step hastily and rashly, but after long and prayerful reflection. We are satisfied that if a new synod be formed in this State with proper views and feelings, upon the right basis, it will greatly conduce to the
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interest of the Redeemer's Kingdom in this section of His Moral Vineyard. In taking this important step, it is proper and due as an act of respect to the parent Synod, that we should briefly set forth the considerations by which we have been influenced.
I. Our Synod is scattered over so wide an extent of territory as to render it at all times, when our Synod meets in another State, very inconvenient and expensive for our ministers and delegates to attend its annual meetings ; and, in some instances, utterly impracticable, without neglecting our domestic and private business.
2. The present arrangement in. regard to the places at which Synod shall convene from time to time, is such that we cannot have a meeting of it in our own State more than once in four years, thus depriving our congregations for three successive years of whatever advantages may result from a meeting of the Synod in our midst.
3. As our Synod is at present organized, or is likely to be organized under any constitution that has been proposed for our adoption, we can transact among ourselves all the business ordinarily transacted, as well as it can be trans- acted by the whole Synod. Our principal business is to examine and ordain candidates for the ministry; and this can be done by the ministers and churches in any State connected with the Synod, and has been done by the breth- ren in Virginia for several years, and by us in Tennessee on one occasion, at our recent conference meeting.
4. The wide extent of territory over which we are scat- tered, and the great difficulty, if not the impossibility, of having all the different sections of the Church fairly and fully represented in our synodical meetings, renders it a slow process to bring to an issue any important measure in which Synod may engage., Of this we have an illustration in the attempts which have been made to revise our Synod- ical Constitution.
These, dear brethren, are some of the leading consider- ations which have influenced us to the pursuance of our
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present course. Others might be stated, but we deem it unnecessary. It may be proper to add, that we are by no means disaffected towards our brethren with whom we have been so long and pleasantly connected, with whom we have so often met and taken sweet counsel, and contended for the faith once delivered to the saints, and which is so clearly set forth in our venerable Augsburg Confession. Nor do we, in the formation of a new Synod, contemplate any change in the doctrinal basis upon which our Synod was organized, nearly half a century ago, and upon which she has ever since uniformly and firmly stood. Under this banner our Synod has already achieved many a signal and glorious victory, and under this she is destined still to be victorious. With this we are satisfied, and upon this we intend still to stand.
In view of the considerations above stated, we flatter ourselves you will grant us an honorable dismission from your venerable body.
May the unerring spirit of God guide you in all your deliberations, so that they may redound to the glory of God and to the advancement of the Redeemer's Kingdom.
In answer to the above petitions, the following pream- ble and resolution were adopted by Synod :
Whereas, our ministerial brethren in the State of Ten- nessee,-A. J. Brown, J. K. Hancher, J. C. Barb, J. M. Shaffer, J. Cloninger, J. Fleenor, and J. B. Emmert, with their cougregations, have asked an honorable dismission from this body, with a view to the formation of a new synod in their own State, and whereas they give us the assurance, that, in taking this step, they have no other object in view than the welfare of our beloved Lutheran Zion, and the more extensive dissemination of the time-honored and heaven-blessed doctrines of our Church; therefore, be it
Resolved, That whilst we are sincerely sorry to sever the ties which have bound them to us as a part of our Synod, we feel it to be our duty to grant their request, with
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the fervent prayer, that the smiles and rich blessings of the Great Head of the Church may rest upon them, and that all their efforts to extend the Redeemer's Kingdom, may be crowned with abundant success.
These ministers and congregations organized the synod, styled the Evangelical Lutheran Holston Synod of Ten- nessee.
The committee, Revs. J. Killian,' A. Efird, and S. Henkel, on revision of the Constitution, reported as follows :
We, the committee, appointed to report on the subject · of the Revised ,Constitution, respectfully submit the fol- lowing :
Upon examination of the papers coming from congre- gations and individuals in connection with our Synod, and of the statements of the result of the vote taken in the con- gregations, in regard to the Revised Constitution, we find that some of them failed to take action in reference to this matter, as required by a resolution passed at the last meet- ing of our Synod ; and that the vote, as far as presented to Synod, resulted in favor of the revision by a very considera- ble majority. But after careful and mature consideration, your committee are constrained to believe that, in view of the present aspect of things, it is inexpedient at this time to take final action on the Revised Constitution ; and,
Whereas, it might leave the impression, that the con- fessional basis, as set forth in the second article of the Revised Constitution, influenced this action ; and, whereas, this might detract from the character of the Synod for orthodoxy, and be construed as a rejection of our confes- sional basis, your committee would earnestly recommend the passage of the following resolution : be it
Resolved, That this Synod adopts as its basis the fol- lowing, and that the ministers belonging to this Synod subscribe it :
I. The Holy Scriptures, the inspired writings of the Old and New Testaments, alone, shall be the only rule and standard of doctrine and church discipline.
.
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2. As a true and faithful exhibition of the doctrines of the Holy Scriptures, in regard to faith and practice, this Synod receives the three Ancient Symbols of the Church, - the Apostolic, Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds,-and the Unaltered Augsburg Confession of Faith. It receives also the other Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, (namely, the Apology, the Smalcald Articles, the Small and Large Catechisms of Luther, and the Formula of Concord) as a true and Scriptural declaration. of the doc- trines taught in the said Augsburg Confession.
The report was adopted.
A committee, consisting of Rev. Messrs. A. J. Fox, J. M. Smith, and T. Moser, was appointed to examine and ordain brother E. E. Smyre, at Phanuel's Church, Rowan County, North Carolina.
The committee, appointed at the last Synod to prepare a Code of By-Laws and Rules of Order for Synod, was con- tinued, after striking off the names of Rev. Messrs. A. J. Brown and J. M. Wagner. The committee thus consisted of Rev. J. R. Peterson, Rev. A. J. Fox, Rev. P. C. Henkel, Rev. A. Efird, and Rev. J. Killian.
A committee, consisting of Rev. A. Henkel, Rev. S. Henkel, and Dr. S. G. Henkel, was appointed to collect all historical facts relating to the confessional basis of this Synod, and report to the next meeting.
According to the Parochial Report, 649 infants, 39 adults, and 29 slaves were baptized, and 452 persons were confirmed.
Synod adjourned to meet in St. John's Church, Lexing- ton District, South Carolina, November 9, 1861.
During this decade, 19 ministers were ordained, 2 re- ceived on letters, the name of I was erased from the clerical roll, 3, besides those residing in Tennessee, were dismissed to other synods, 26 churches were received, 6,634 infants were baptized, 445 adults, and 244 slaves, and 3,647 persons were confirmed. These are the numbers of bap- tisms and confirmations shown by the Parochial Reports,
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which are by no means full; perhaps, not more than two- thirds were really reported.
FIFTH DECADE.
Forty-first Session.
Synod met in St. John's Church, Lexington District, South Carolina, on Saturday before the second Sunday in November, 1861.
The officers elected were: Revs. A. Efird, president ; J. M. Smith, secretary; and M. J. Stirewalt, treasurer.
Revs. J. Moser, Prof. J. P. Smeltzer, Prof. J. M. Schreckhise, D. M. Blackwelder, and Smithdeal, of the South Carolina Synod, were received as advisory members.
Rev. John H. Hunton was granted a dismission to the Pittsburgh Synod.
The Committee on Rules of Order reported. The re- port was received and adopted, and ordered to be appended to the Minutes.
Messrs. D. E. Fox and L. A. Fox were received as theological students. I. Conder was ordained.
A convention, having been called to meet in Salisbury, North Carolina, May, 1862, composed of delegates from the Southern Synods, the Synod appointed Revs. A. J. Fox, E. E. Smyre, of North Carolina, and Revs. J. Killian and S. Henkel, of Virginia, to represent it in that convention.
The Parochial Report, only eight ministers reporting, shows 346 infant baptisms, 44 adult, and 18 slave, and 358 confirmations.
In regard to the time and place for the next meeting, it was
Resolved, That in consequence of the political troubles of our country, and as Virginia is so near the seat of war, and as we know not when our troubles will end, when Synod adjourns, it adjourn to meet in Grace Church, Ca- tawba County, North Carolina, on Saturday before the first Sunday in October, 1862.
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Forty-second Session.
Synod convened in Grace Church, Catawba County, North Carolina, on Saturday before the first Sunday in October, 1862.
The following persons were elected officers of Synod : Revs. T. Moser, president; J. M. Stirewalt, secretary; and Thomas Crouse, treasurer.
· In consequence of the political troubles and conflicts and the War between the States, the convention called to meet in Salisbury, North Carolina, failed to convene ; and for the same reasons, the members of Virginia, Tennessee, and Missouri, whose presence, under these circumstances, was not expected, were excused for their non-attendance.
The By-Laws and Rules of Order, not meeting the general approbation of the congregations, were rescinded. Mr. D. E. Fox, after examination by Rev. P. C. Henkel, was licensed to preach.
The Parochial Report, only seven ministers reporting, shows 412 infant baptisms, 39 adult, and 8 slave, and 306 confirmations.
Synod adjourned to meet in St. John's Church, Cataw- ba County, North Carolina, on Saturday before the third Sunday of October, 1863.
After the adjournment of Synod, the Secretary being informed of the death of Deacon Jacob Costner, and an obituary being submitted to him, he ordered it to be ap- pended to the Minutes, as follows :
Obituary of Rev. Jacob Costner .- The Rev. Jacob Costner was born August 27th. 1788, and departed this mortal life March 19th, 1862, at the advanced age of 72 years, 7 months, and 2 days. He in- termarried with Mary Ann Rudisill, December 10th, 1810, who bore him ten children, five of whom preceded him to eternity.
Mr. Costner was born of pious parents who dedicated their son to God in infancy, by the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, and at an early age he was admitted to full communion with the Evangelical Lutheran Church by the rite of confirmation. In Mr. Costner's early life, the scarcity of ministers in the Lutheran Church was very great, and he was ordained to the office of Deacon, as it was then established in the
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Evangelical Lutheran Tennessee Syuod, but from causes not clearly understood by the writer, he never labored in the ministry. Mr. Costner was warmly attached to the Church of his fathers, and was active iu the performance of whatever he considered his duty, aud so long as strength permitted, his place iu the congregation was never vacant ; but for a number of years before his death, his strength so far failed as to prevent his regular attendance upon the public ministra- tions of the Gospel. His concern, however, for the prosperity of the Church continued uuabated, aud, as he neared the grave, his prospects for heaven grew brighter. The writer visited him during the somewhat protracted and painful sickness which terminated his earthly existence, and had opportunities of hearing from him expressions of a well- grounded hope of acceptance with God.
In all the relations of life, Mr. Costner was exemplary. He was au affectionate husband, a kiud and indulgent father, aud a useful citizen.
Forty-third Session.
Pursuant to adjournment, Synod assembled in St. John's Church, Catawba County, North Carolina, October 17, 1863.
The election for officers resulted in favor of Revs. J. R. Peterson, president; J. M. Smith, secretary ; and M. J. Stirewalt, treasurer.
Rev. H. Goodman gave notice, that, at a suitable time, he would call the attention of Synod to the importance of missionary work in the Confederate Army, during the War between the States, which commenced in the spring of 1861, and ended in the spring of 1865,-four years.
This matter being brought up, a committee of four, consisting of Revs. A. J. Fox, P. C. Henkel, H. Goodman, and Mr. J. F. Plonk, was appointed, to propose a plan for such work. After consideration, this committee submitted the following :
Whereas, this Synod is fully aware of the great neces- sity of doing something to supply our own soldiers in the Confederate Armny with the preaching of the Gospel by our iministers,
Resolved I. That we establish an Army Mission in the following manner: Let as many ministers in connection
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with this Synod as will subscribe this resolution, be obli- gated to perform missionary labors in the Confederate Army, for the period of one month in each year, if our funds and the situation of the army will permit.
Resolved 2. That two ministers go at the same time, and that in rotation, being chosen by lot at each annual meeting of Synod.
Resolved 3. That their expenses, at least, be defrayed by donations obtained from the congregations by solicitation.
Resolved 4. That those ministers, having performed such missionary visits as herein required, shall make a re- turn of their traveling expenses to a treasurer hereinafter provided, who shall pay said expenses out of the funds he may have in hands for said purpose.
Resolved 5. That a treasurer be appointed whose duty it shall be to receive such money as may be collected for the purpose herein stated.
Resolved 6. That it be the duty of the ministers, asso- ciated with this enterprise, to take up collections in their several congregations, semi-annually; and that they for- ward said collections to the treasurer.
This was received and adopted. Moses Harmon, Esq., Newton, Catawba County, North Carolina, was elected treasurer of the mission funds, and Rev. P. C. Henkel as corresponding secretary with the army and ministers, to secure information as to the points and times best suited for such work.
The committee to bring up the Revised Constitution for the consideration of this body, handed in the following :
Whereas, it was made our duty to prepare and submit to Synod a suitable plan for the revision of the Constitution of Synod, we, your committee, beg leave to submit the following :
That a session of Synod convene at Zion Church, on Saturday before the 4th Sunday in March, 1864, at which time it is contemplated to consider the propriety or impro- priety of adopting the Constitution submitted to Synod at
-
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her session in 1860, with such suitable amendments as may be agreed upon, which shall then be printed and submitted to the different congregations, in connection with the Ten- nessee Synod, for their approval, amendment, or rejection.
We, the ministers and lay-delegates of the present Synod, unanimously and most earnestly entreat the minis- ters and congregations, not represented in the present session of Synod, seriously to consider this matter, and such minis- ters to be present, and such congregations to be represented, each, by one lay-delegate.
This report was received and adopted.
Messrs. L. A. Fox and D. E. Fox were authorized, in special cases, to exercise the functions of a pastor.
David S. Henkel and David A. Goodman were received as theological students. It was ordered, that 1,500 copies of the Minutes be printed, and that a work, entitled "A Few Fragments on Regeneration," by the late Rev. David Henkel, be printed in connection with the Minutes for cir- culation in the Confederate Army.
The Parochial Report, only seven reporting, shows 193 infant baptisms, 8 adult, and 14 slave, and 214 confirmed.
Synod adjourned to meet in St. Mark's Church, Gaston County, North Carolina, on Saturday before the second Sunday in October, 1864.
Forty-fourth Session.
This session of Synod was held in St. Mark's Churchi, Gaston County, North Carolina, commencing October 8, 1864.
The officers elected were : Revs. J. M. Smith, president ; A. J. Fox. secretary; and M. J. Stirewalt, treasurer.
Rev. J. R. Peterson introduced the following preamble and resolutions, which, after a free interchange of opinions, were unanimously adopted.
Feeling, as we do, the great want of a religious peri- odical in the families of our connection, and as the Southern
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Lutheran is the only paper of Lutheran character now pub- lished in the Confederate States, be it, therefore,
Resolved, That this Synod most cheerfully recommend the Southern Lutheran to the families composing our con- gregations, and that the ministers connected with this Synod be encouraged to introduce it into our families.
Resolved, That a collection be taken immediately after the sermon to-day for the purpose of sending the Lutheran to the soldiers.
The matter in regard to the adoption of the Revised Constitution being brought up, it was. resolved, that final action on that matter be deferred till the next meeting.
Licentiate L. A. Fox was ordained to the office of Pastor, and applicants D. S. Henkel and. D. A. Goodman were licensed to perform the functions of the ministry.
The Parochial Report for this year shows 2, 187 infant baptisms, 13 adult, and 26 colored, and 261 confirmations. Ten ministers reported, and the presumption is, that some of them reported for several years.
Synod decided to meet in its next convention, in St. Peter's Church, Catawba County, North Carolina, October 21, 1865.
Forty-fifth Session.
This meeting assembled in St. Peter's Church, Catawba County, North Carolina, October 21-24, 1865.
The following officers were elected : Revs. J. R. Peter- son, president ; C. Moretz, secretary; and J. M. Smith, treasurer.
Philadelphia Church, Caldwell County, and Pizgah Church, Alexander County, North Carolina, were received into Synod.
In regard to the Revised Constitution, final action was deferred till the next annual meeting of Synod.
Rev. A. J. Fox gave notice, that he would, some time during this session of Synod, bring to its notice the subject of publicly licensing young men for the ministry.
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When this subject was brought up, a committee, con- sisting of Revs. A. J. Fox, P. C. Henkel, and T. Moser, was appointed to draft a licensure. The form was submit- ted in due time, and ordered to be printed in connection with the Minutes.
Previous to the year 1862, Synod did not practice the licensure policy, and it continued that policy for only a few years. The contingencies of the Civil War gave rise to that system, so far as this Synod is concerned.
D. E. Fox was ordained to the office of Pastor, and David S. Henkel and David A. Goodman were licensed for one year.
During the year, according to the report, only eight ministers reporting, 282 infants, 21 adults, and 2 colored, were baptized, and 156 confirmed.
The time and place for the next meeting were, Thurs- day before the fourth Sunday in October, 1866, and Beck's Church, Davidson County, North Carolina.
Forty-sixth Session.
This session of Synod convened in Beck's Church, Davidson County, North Carolina, October 25, 1866.
Revs. A. Efird was elected president; L. A. Fox, sec- retary ; and J. M. Smith, treasurer.
Rev. A. J. Fox suggested the propriety of organizing conferences in the Synod.
The ministers and congregations in Virginia, in con- nection with the Tennessee Synod, having already organized a conference in that State, called the Virginia Conference of the Evangelical Lutheran Tennessee Synod, the ministers and congregations in North Carolina were divided into three conferences, designated the Eastern, the Middle, and South- ern Conferences, and the ministers and congregations in South Carolina were formed into a conference, called the South Carolina Conference of the Evangelical Lutheran Tennessee Synod. These conferences were not allowed to transact any business which properly belonged to the Synod.
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