New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-08-22
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
LUTHERAYS AND TIE SABBATH OBSERN-
ANCF
t. re Edi:er II TIE ". J. Tribaas.

ANCE.
t. re Edi:sr # TIE " J. TribaaG
SIR: In your paper OF the .J,n inst. an srtice ap'
pesr.d with tie above hesdug, signed y. l.. Hatch,
The design Of which 10 be 70 create the imprss
sion thst l.ce proportion If the Lutheran Church
in this country ignores the Sabbath DIVINE nst!-
tution and therefore regards ts Observance as op-
tonal or mere matter OF eNpedlency.
know poihirg as 70 the character of the Rev.
Charles Shaun who ola. us e be Lutheran minister
and Pastor OF s. german. Lutheran Church in Ess.
New York One thing is very manifest hat he Is not
member OF sny duly recognized Synod in the state
If Nev.lork nor Is his name 20 be found Ia the regis
ter Of Lutheran Ministers IN the nied States This
il very strong presu1 pye evidence that he l. not
Lutheran Minister. lie may however be recent Inl-
port ration from the Fs.hersnd and this may accoun,
Tor his net beirg kpowa TO any of our Synods.
Nv object IN WI ing however, was manly 10 state
few facts which necessary 10 be known, IN order
hs, the position OF the Lutheran churches IA as coun
nv in relation 10 the Sabbath may be fully understood
Mr. Hatch is correct N saying thai " the protested to-
lowers OF Luther are divided INTO different bodies
but he IN asserting that each 81 these bodies
" claims 10 be called Lu-beTsns par cmlEcnct, because
each processes sdhere more closely than the Other
"to the principles st, forth anu defended by their
BE- founder.
In csnuot be denied that there are several parties in
the Lutheran Church in the United States, but they
II ay be clsssed as the SymCoica snd AntiSymbOlcai
In the first may be included the crrcas Old Luther
ans, belonging to the Missouri, Buffalo, and Joint
OHIO Synods. These receive ~ the SymbohGai ooohS
of the Lutheran Church, witbou. any qualification,
ana IN many OF their churches the modes OF worship
resemble IN some respects those OF the kOmish
Church These Synods, AID the churches which belong
To them, wouli no doubt indorse all that MI Hstcn
has as the OF the Lutheran Church IN
reference ID the Sabbath. The Symbocai party,
however embraces some more moderate men, such Is
DIR. MsrD OF Philadelphia, and several German Lu-
theran Ministers in New-lork and rs vicinity VINO,
while tney do not regard the Christian Saboath ~
having been set apart by special Divine enactment,
yet advocste its Observance as matter OF Christian
expedeucy. -,
The other party l,he Anti-SymbolicaD do not claim
10 be Iuthelaps par ,I4aqeHce as Mr.. latch init.
males becsu,e they profess To adhere more closely
than Others to the opinions Of Luther on the con
tfary they claim 10 be uhersns because, exercising
the right Of private Judgment they feel It 10 De their
privilege az well a. their duty 70 reject everything in
The writings Of Luther and II the Confessions OF the
Church which is not fully accurtant with the teachings
of the Bible. That book they regard as the only in-
fallble rule Of faith and practice.
This party the Anti-Symbohc), embraces the great
majority the American Lutheran church especially
that portion Of which represented IN the General
synod. Even this party there may be- some shades
OF difference III MINOR points Of doctrine but none Ger
tsiuy in regard to the Observance OF the Christian
Sabbath both az question OF eApeuen'y anu vi WITS
tian duty
AZ proof of this suboin one of the standing reolu
tons of the IiaItwck Synod
Realized Tha, consider the Sabbath Divine Institution,
social civil and political Institutions INA: We view Win pam
aud modification zoe ieqen, yio@os S ga ssy ns We
unite their efforts and prayer. Tor the oppression o. h. aa
chnch,s connected with Synod and to all Christians aud
eDdesyor By ell proper means In their power 10 pre-
serve the Holy Sabbath from desee.ation; a to,;,.
THIS resolution, | can confidently affirm, eInoodles
the sentiments of the entire american portion o the
Lutheran Church, as may be seen from the published
opinions OF the different Synods There are, however,
some German Lutheran ministers, as hzs been in-
,imated who with their congregations, have brought
10 this country their German notions IN relation 10 the
Sabbath and these, no doubt, sympathize with the
party IN your city wao are opposed 10 tne enforce
ment of the Sunday laws. These Germans, having
been educated in the hcentious sentiments which Mr..
Hatch quotes having been uttered by Luther, do
Tot hesitate to ride, To- dance, to traihc, to
-hal best comport with their views Of " tse
Christian SptrH and Hberty' | regret that
this class Of German Ll;herans forms so large por
ton Of the population IN New-iork and other large
cities. / trust, however inst ther relation 10 tho
American Lutheran Cnurch viii be fully understood,
and that they viii not De regarded a. represent
ine the sentiments Of the Lutheran churches OF
this country. trust too that the civil authorities IN
your city viii no. feel themselves under any oosatiohs
to respect the opinions wishes Of any body oil pro
Tossing Christians, whether they call themselves lu-
therans or Calyinsts especially foreigners who may
cesre to trampe upon the laws OF the land aud The
laws of God, and convert the Sabbath INTO dsy OK
traffic or Lcentous indulgence. Mr.. Hatch may re-
gard these views a. Puranic not he pleases and
ne may quote the opinions OF as many symoolca Lu
tberans and German Ra.i0nalsts a. may SUIT his con-
venience but the readers OF IHE TRIBUNE aud the
public authorities NewYOrk may rest assured that
The great mass OF ell the intelligent influential, and
Truly evangelical ministers and members of the Lu
theran Church in the United States regard the Sab
bath of Divine appointment, and VIII sustain every
iudicous fort to enforce al those laws which may be
passed in New-York and elsewhere for enforcing it,
proper Observance. Your obdt servt
P. 4. sTROBEL Pas;or o. Lutheran Church.
Lookyort, y. T., July -, 1859.