USA > Tennessee > History of the Evangelical Lutheran Tennessee Synod > Part 3
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These statements and historical facts are derived from the Minutes of the first meeting of the Evangelical Lutheran Tennessee Synod, which were not printed till 1821, and from intelligent men of irreproachable character and stand- ing, who were present and witnessed the whole procedure.
The chief doctrines about which these conflicting par- ties differed were, first, in regard to Original Sin; second, The Person and Nature of Christ; third, Baptism ; fourth, The Lord's Supper ; and strange as it may seem, these very differences still occasionally crop out in some sections of the Church. So deeply was that Pietistical element infused, that it has required much time and patience, and still re- quires much vigilance, to keep it from coming to the surface too frequently.
It is true, efforts have been made to make it appear that personal difficulties were among the first causes which gave rise to the rupture. The facts will not justify such a con- clusion. For these did not occur till after many of the conflicts in regard to differences in doctrine and practice had taken place and been agitated. The truth is, the per- sonal matters referred to by some were not between minis- ters, but between one minister and a member of the German Reformed Church. That idea seems rather to grow out of an after-thought, to palliate.
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CHAPTER II. 4
THE ORGANIZATION AND NAME OF THE SYNOD.
First Session.
AN open rupture having taken place, on account of dif- ferences in doctrine and practice, in the North Carolina Synod, at its meeting in Lincolnton, Lincoln County, North Carolina, May 28, 1820, and those who advocated and favor- ed the new-measure, unionistic policy, having withdrawn from the church, as indicated in the preceding chapter of this work, the others, who had determined to adhere closely to the doctrines and principles of the Church, as set forth in her Confessional Writings, after some consultation and de- liberation, adjourned, and with others, afterwards, met in Solomon's Church, Cove Creek, Green County, Tennessee, July 17, 1820, to organize a conference or synod, in accord- ance with the teachings, doctrines, and policy of the Word of God, as set forth in the Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. This was a time for serious considera- tion, meditation, and prayer.
The following ministers and lay-delegates were present, on that occasion : Revs. Jacob Zink, of Washington County, Virginia; Paul Henkel, of New Market, Shenandoah Coun- ty, Virginia; Adam Miller, of Sullivan County, Tennessee ; Philip Henkel, of Green County, Tennessee; George Est- erly (Easterly), of Green County, Tennessee ; and David Henkel, of Lincoln County, North Carolina, who, although he could not be present in person, acquiesced in the object of the meeting, and was recognized as a member. The lay- delegates representing congregations were, from Emmanuel Church, Washington County, Tennessee, John Keichier and Conrad Keicher ; from Union Church in the same County and State, Michael Kapp; from Jacob's Church, Green County, Tennessee, John Nehs (Neas), John Ottinger, .
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Philip Esterly, and John Renner; from Sinking Spring Church, in the same County and State, John Bauer, Frederick Schaeffer, Peter Gabel, and Jacob Hermann ; from Solomon's Church, Cove Creek, same County and State, Frederick Gottschall, John Koch, Philip Ebert, and John Froschaur ; from three congregations in Sullivan County, Tennessee, Henry Herchelroth and Jacob Deck ; from Golden Spring Church, Green County, Tennessee, Nicholas Eley and George Boessinger.
The meeting was opened in a regular, churchly man- ner, with singing and prayer.
After the adoption of the following basis and regula- tions, an organization was effected, under the name and title of the Evangelical German Lutheran Tennessee Con- ference or Synod :
Basis and Regulations.
I. It is deemed proper and useful, that all the business and work, which may come before this Conference or Synod, . shall be transacted in the German language; and all the written proceedings in regard to its transactions, which pertain to the general interest, shall be published in the German language .*
2. All teachings relative to the faith, and all doctrines concerning Christian conduct, as well as all books publicly used in the Church in the service or worship of God, shall be arranged and kept, as nearly as it is possible to do, in accordance with the doctrines of the holy Scriptures and
*The reason why we desire an entirely German Conference, is because we have learned from experience, that a conference, in which both languages, the German and the English, are used, the one or the other side will be dissatisfied. If the German is used, the English will understand little, and often nothing in regard to the matter ; and if the English is employed, many of the Germans will not understand more than the half of what is said, and hence know not how to act relative to the most weighty matters. Besides, at the present time, we find very few entirely English preachers who accept the doctrines of our Church, or desire to preach them.
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the Augsburg Confession. And especially shall the young, and others who need it, be instructed in Luther's Small Catechism, according to the custom of our Church, hitherto. This said Catechism shall always be the chief catechism in our churches. But the Catechism styled the Christian Catechism, which was published in the German and En- glish languages, in New Market, Shenandoah County, Virginia, may also be used in connection, to explain Lu- ther's Catechism.
3. No one can be a teacher or otherwise an officer in the Church, who has not been received into the congrega- tion, according to the order of the Church, and does not lead a Christian life. Whoever desires to be a teacher, shall also take a solemn obligation, that he will teach according to the Word of God and the Augsburg Confession and the doctrines of our Church. Nor can any teacher in our Conference be allowed to stand in connection with any organization in connection with the so-called Central or Gen- eral Synod, for reasons which shall hereafter be indicated:
4. None shall be members of our churches, except such as have been baptized according to the command of Christ, and confirmed, by the imposition of hands, according to the order of the Christian Church, and participate in the celebration of the Holy Supper .*
5. As to the ranks and grades in the office of teaching, or the ministry, we acknowledge not more than two as nec- essary for the preservation and perpetuation of the Church ; namely, Pastor and Deacon. Pastor is an evangelical teacher, who executes that office fully in all its parts, or performs all the ministerial acts. Such person must be or- dained with prayer and the imposition of hands, by one or more pastors, to such office. Besides, he must then also
* If, however, any one, who has been baptized according to the command of Christ, and confirmed to some Christian Church, and can make this appear, desires to commune with us, or to be received into connection with our Church, he shall be permitted to do so, without being re-baptized or re-confirmed.
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solemnly affirm, that he will faithfully, according to the Word of God and the doctrines of our Church, perform the duties of that office.
6. A Deacon is also indeed a servant in the Word of God; but he is not fully invested with the ministerial office like the Pastor is. But he is to give instructions in the catechism, read sermons, attend to funerals, admonish, and, if desired, in the absence of the Pastor, to baptize children. He must be an orderly member of the Church, and have the evidence of a Christian conduct. He must, at the de- sire of the church council, be examined as to his fitness for office by the Synod, and if he is found qualified, he must be consecrated and ordained to that office with prayer and the imposition of hands, by one or more pastors, either at Conference or in one of the congregations in which he labors. Besides, he shall also make a solemn affirmation, in the presence of the whole congregation, that he will faithfully serve in that office according to the instructions given him. But if such Deacon prove so industrious or assiduous in his office as to reach the required attainments and qualifications to bear the office of Pastor, and secures a regular call from one or more vacant congregations, he can be consecrated and ordained to the office of Pastor in the same manner as already indicated.
In regard to the offices in the congregations, they shall be as they were heretofore customary in our Church : Elders, Deacons, &c.
7. At each Conference, pastors shall be named or elect- ed who shall conduct the ordinations, and sign with their own hands all ordination certificates and affix their seals, and see that good order is maintained. They shall also sign all other proceedings of the Conference or Synod; and if for any reason it is desired, all the other pastors and the lay-delegates may also sign them. The preachers and lay- delegates may find it good or useful to appoint or name one of the pastors as chairman, who shall read all that is neces- sary, make propositions, &c. In the same manner may
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one be appointed as secretary. But it is not to be under- stood that these must serve in these positions throughout all the sessions. Changes can be made, and others can serve, as circumstances require.
8. It was resolved, that annually, on the third Sunday of the month, October, a meeting of Conference shall be held, in the State of Tennessee, or in the western part of Virginia, at such place as the majority of the preachers and lay-delegates indicate. But if it should be deemed neces- sary that the said Conference should meet in an adjoining State, it may be held in such State. But the Conference or Synod shall always retain the name Tennessee Confer- ence or Synod; although it may have ministers and lay- delegates also in other States.
9. The Conference shall be composed of preachers and lay-delegates elected by their congregations, as has been the order heretofore, in similar cases; but there shall not be more votes cast by the lay-delegates, than the number of preachers present is. The surplus delegates may be pres- ent, and consult and advise with the others.
10. The necessity for each congregation to have a treasury for itself, in which to deposit all the money that each member or other person may freely give, will manifest itself to all. Such moneys shall be used to defray the cost of printing the minutes of the Conference, to aid traveling ministers, and for other purposes which will best enhance the interests of the churches or congregations. The way and manner, in which these treasuries are to be kept, and the disbursements, are to be made, are to be left to the good judgment of the church councils and the ministers acquies- cing. The moneys may be gathered at every meeting, each month, or every three months. At every meeting of Con- ference, the council of each church shall make a report of the amounts thus collected. A treasury for the Conference, is, at this time, deemed unnecessary.
II. It will be found useful for every minister to keep a
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record of the number he baptizes, the number of confirma- tions, and of communicants and funerals, as well as of the German schools in his congregations, so that they may ap- pear in the proceedings of the Conference each year.
12. We also deem it of the highest importance to use all possible diligence to make our children acquainted with all our doctrines in faith, in the German language ; so that we may the more easily give them instruction therein; and so that the parents especially may be careful to teach their children in regard to these things.
13. None of the teachers of our Conference can take a seat and vote in the present Synod of the State of North Carolina, because we cannot regard it as a true Lutheran Synod.
14. The propriety of preserving and maintaining these principles and regulations of Conference, as here set forth, and of acting according to them, must be apparent to all .- But if, at any meeting in the future, anything may be nec- essary to be added, it may be done, by a majority of the votes, but in such a manner as not to come in conflict with the design and intention of the foregoing principles.
The name Tennessee was not intended to indicate boundary, but to distinguish this Conference or Synod from other Synods already in existence; as, the Pennsylva- nia Synod, the New York, the Maryland, the North Caro- lina, and the Ohio Synods, and especially the North Carolina Synod. This is evident from statements in its own proceedings, where it is said, "If it become necessary, this Conference or Synod may be held in adjoining States. Again, in the proceedings of its eighth session, in 1827, during which its basis was revised and improved, to make it more clear and simple, it is stated, "This body shall continue to bear the title Evangelical Lutheran Tennessee Synod. But this title shall not be so construed as to give the members who reside in Tennessee any prerogatives or advantages over others; for this body consists for the most part of members in other States; but it shall bear this title
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simply to distinguish it from the North Carolina Synod, which belongs to the General Synod." See Minutes of 1827, page 22.
At first the German language alone was used in the transactions of the Synod, in view of the fact that nearly all the ministers, as well as a large portion of the lay-members, at that time, used that language. At a later date the English language was introduced.
Thus, after agreeing on a basis and regulations, the Conference proceeded to the transaction of such other busi- ness as was deemed necessary.
It then set forth its reasons for organizing this Synod. These reasons are based chiefly on the differences in doc- trine, as already indicated in the first chapter of this work. Then follows a Dissertation on Holy Baptism, relative to the differences between the conflicting parties, in regard to that subject.
In its proceedings, appears also the constitution or plan of the General Synod, accompanied with objections to, and criticisms on, every article. Then follows a paper, signed by several Evangelical Lutheran ministers, of the State of Ohio, and others, showing why they cannot endorse or adopt the plan or constitution of the General Synod. And finally, appears the Unaltered Augsburg Confession, in its twenty-eight articles, in the German,-perhaps, among the first editions, if not the first edition, ever printed in the United States, in the German language, in its twenty-eight articles.
Among the proceedings of this meeting, we note the following :
I. A resolution, making it the duty of one of the older ministers of that body, annually to visit all the congrega- tions in its connection, in order to look into their condition, and to give wholesome instructions to the younger teachers or ministers and their congregations, as well as cordial ad- monitions, and to report the result of his visits to the next meeting of Synod.
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2. In regard to a petition from a number of persons residing in Cape Cheredo, Missouri, asking a visit on the part of one of the ministers, it was resolved, that Rev. Jacob Zink visit that section as soon as possible and administer to their spiritual wants.
3. That the next meeting of this Conference be held in one of Rev. Adam Miller's congregations, in Sullivan County, Tennessee, beginning on the third Sunday of Oc- tober, 1821.
4. Jacob Zink and Adam Miller were ordained by the imposition of hands and with prayer.
After regular services and preaching, the Conference adjourned to meet at the time and place indicated.
Thus, among great trials, difficulties, and anxieties, this Synod was organized, and took its position in. the Church, depending on its great Head, to guide it in its efforts to maintain, promulgate, and perpetuate the Scriptural, churchly principles and doctrines it so earnestly loved, and to enable it to fill its mission with honor and abiding success.
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CHAPTER III.
ITS POSITION AND CONFESSIONAL BASIS.
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NOTWITHSTANDING the fact that at the time this Synod was organized, there was probably not a Synod in the United States of America that unreservedly received and acknowledged the Unaltered Augsburg Confession as its confessional basis, nevertheless this Synod laid down the following basis, requiring its ministers or officials in the Church, to make a sacred affirmation, to teach in accord- ance with it :
1. All doctrines of faith and teachings in regard to Christian conduct, as well as all books used in the public services of the Church, shall be so formulated and arranged as to conform, as nearly as possible, to the teachings of the Holy Scriptures and the Augsburg Confession of Faith.
2. The young and others who need instruction, shall be taught from Luther's Small Catechism, according to the custom of our Church. And this Catechism shall always be the chief catechism in our Church. The Christian Catechism, printed at New Market, Shenandoah County, Virginia, may, however, be used for the purpose of explain- ing Luther's Catechism.
3. No one shall be a teacher or an officer in the Church who has not been received into the congregation according to the order of the Church, and does not bear a Christian character.
4. Whoever desires to be a teacher, shall make a sacred affirmation or promise that he will teach according to the Word of God, the Augsburg Confession, and the doctrines of our Church.
5. No one who has not been baptized according to the command of Christ, and confirmed by the imposition of hands, according to the order of the Christian Church, and
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partaken of the Lord's Supper, shall be a full member of our Church.
This Synod recognized, in its constitution, two grades in the ministry,-Pastor and Deacon. The pastor is author- ized to perform every ministerial act; whilst the deacon is allowed only to catechise, preach, and baptize.
In 1827, its constitution was revised, but there were no material changes made in regard to its confessional basis, or in any other respect, except as to arrangement.
In 1828, the constitution appears, in the proceedings, with explanatory remarks, by Rev. David Henkel, but with- out material changes.
In its revised constitution of 1866, the confessional basis is more fully presented, so as to express more clearly its doctrinal position, as follows :
I. The Holy Scriptures, the inspired writings of the Old and New Testaments, shall be the only rule and stand- ard of doctrine and church discipline.
2. As a true and faithful exhibition of the doctrines of the Holy Scriptures in regard to matters of faith and prac- tice, this Synod receives the three Ancient Symbols: the Apostolic, Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds, and the Unal- tered Augsburg Confession of Faith. It receives also the other Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, viz .: The Apology, the Smalcald Articles, the Smaller and Larger Catechisms of Luther, and the Formula of Concord, as true Scriptural developments of the doctrines taught in the Augsburg Confession .- Minutes of 1866, p. 19.
Constitution of the Evangelical Lutheran Tennessee Synod. (As Revised in 1866.)
ARTICLE I. The name of this Synod shall be THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN TENNESSEE SYNOD.
ARTICLE II. The Holy Scriptures, the inspired writings of the Old and New Testaments, shall be the only rule and standard of doctrine and church discipline.
As a true and faithful exhibition of the doctrines of
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the Holy Scriptures, in regard to matters of faith and prac- tice, this Synod receives the three Ancient Symbols: the Apostolic, Nicene, and Athanasian creeds; and the Unal- tered Augsburg Confession of Faith. It receives also the other Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, viz. : The Apology, the Smalcald Articles, the Smaller and Larger Catechisms of Luther, and the Formula of Concord- as true Scriptural developments of the doctrines taught in the Augsburg Confession.
ARTICLE III. This Synod shall be composed of regu- larly ordained ministers of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and lay-delegates. The lay-delegates shall be appointed by the congregations in connection with this Synod to represent them in the Synodical Meetings.
Each one of these congregations shall have the right to appoint one such delegate who shall have equal rights and privileges with the ministers in transacting the business of Synod.
Every minister desiring to be received into connection with this Synod, shall, on his reception, be required to sub- scribe this Constitution.
No minister in connection with this Synod, shall be allowed to teach any thing, nor shall Synod transact any business contrary to the confessional basis as set forth in Article II.
No business shall be transacted secretly or under closed doors, unless an unhappy period should arrive, in which . the Church would be liable to persecution, except such as relates to the moral character of a minister, and to the ex- amination of candidates for the ministerial office. Cases of this kind, if deemed necessary and expedient, may be attended to in a private session of Synod.
ARTICLE IV. The business of this Synod shall be to employ the proper means for the promulgation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to impart its advice in matters of Christian faith and life, to detect and expose erroneous doctrines and false teachers, and to investigate charges of false doctrines,
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wrong practice, and immoralities of life, preferred against any of its ministers, and finding them guilty, to expel and depose from the Synod and holy office of the ministry, such as refuse after due admonition to repent of their wrong.
It shall be the duty of Synod, as soon as the wants of the church shall demand, and its resources will justify, to engage in the work of Missions, both domestic and foreign ; and also in the work of Beneficiary Education, for the pur- pose of preparing indigent young men of talents and piety for the work of the ministry in connection with the Luther- an Church, according to such regulations as it may adopt, and consider best calculated to promote these great objects.
Upon application to examine candidates for the minis- try, this Synod shall make the necessary provisions to attend to such application, and after due approval by a majority of two-thirds of the members voting, appointing one or more Pastors to consecrate such' candidate to the office of the. ministry at some suitable time and place by the laying on of hands and prayer.
Synod shall require a probationary period of not less than one year, during which time all candidates for the ministerial office shall be taken on trial.
Upon application, this Synod may receive congrega- tions who may desire to be connected with it, provided they subscribe this Constitution.
ARTICLE V. The officers of this Synod shall be a Presi- dent, Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and Treasurer. A majority of all votes cast will be required to constitute an election to any office. The duties of these officers shall be such as usually devolves upon the same in other public bodies, or as may be made obligatory upon them from time to time, by Synod. They shall be elected by ballot, at the regular session, annually, and hold their offices until their successors are elected.
ARTICLE VI. Synod shall meet from time to time upon its own adjournments. Extra sessions may be called by the President, when requested for good and sufficient rea-
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sons, to do so, by two ministers and two laymen in its connection.
ARTICLE VII. Synod may at any regular meeting, by a concurrence of two-thirds of all the members present, make such regulations and by-laws as may be deemed nec- essary, not inconsistent with this Constitution.
ARTICLE VIII. If anything contained in these articles should hereafter be deemed contrary to the Confessional Basis of this Synod, oppressive, or inexpedient, it may be altered or amended. But nothing contained in this Consti- tution shall be altered or amended unless a proposition for alteration or amendment shall have been laid before one of the sessions of Synod, in writing, and agreed to by two- thirds of all the members voting. The proposition thus agreed to, shall then be laid, in due form, by the Synod in its Minutes before the congregations in its connection, for ratification or rejection by them ; and the ministers or ves- tries of these congregations shall, at some suitable time, before the next succeeding session of Synod, take the vote of these congregations, on the Constitution as amended, allowing the members to vote for its ratification or rejection and send a statement of the vote to that session of Synod. If, then, it shall be ascertained by Synod that a majority of these congregations have voted in favor of ratification, the amendment shall become and be declared by Synod on the face of its Minutes a valid part of said Constitution, and the parts thereof repugnant to such alteration, void.
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