Union County star and Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1859-1864, 1862-05-13
Loyalty Of the Lutheran Church

Loyalty Of the Lutheran Church.
The General Synod of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church Of the United States,
terminated its sessions, in Lancaster City,
last week. Rev DR.. kurtz presided. The
delegates numbered go, lay and clerical,
representing fully three f0urths Of the
church, including Nd, KY, Teun., Sc. bat
none from Virginia sou;hward. Rev. Dr.
Passavant was Chairman of the Committee
Of one from each Synod represented, on
the State Of the County. They reported
the following, which we're carefully consi-
dered, and uaaajntous,.y adopted, excepting
me demurs as TO the potiGy of the MirC!
Resolution
Whereas, Oar beloved country, after
having long been favored with degree Of
political aud religious freedom, security,
and prosperity, uuexam?ed in the history
of the world, now fuds Itself involved in a
bloody war 10 suppress an armed rebellion
against its lawfully constituted Govern
meut; and whereas, the Word Of God,
which Is the sole rule Of our faith and
practice, requires loyal subjection to "the
powers that be-" because they are ordained
Of God, to be terror to evil dOers, aud a
praise to those who do well, aud at the
same time declares, they who resist the
power shall receive to themselves cOndem-
nation aud whereas, We, the representa-
tyes OF the Eyau gelical Lutheran SynCds
Iu the United States connected with the
/ General Synod, assembled in Lancaster,
Pa, recpguiza It as our duty TO give pub
( lie expression to our CONVICTIONS Of truth
on tbis subject, and in every proper way
! to cooperate with our fellow citizens IL
/ sustaining the great interests of law and
authority, Of liberty and righteousness bt
1t therefore
/ Resolved, l. That it is the deliberate
{ Judgment of this Synod, that the rebellion
/ against the constitution! Government oi
this land is most wicked in its inception
uUjusiifable in its prosecution, oppressiv.
IN It's aim. and destructive in its results Il
the highest Interests Of morality snC
religion.
=. That in the suppression of this re
belion, and In the maintenance of til
Constitution and the Union by the sword
we recognize an unavoidable necessity aut
sacred duty which the Government owe
to the nation aud to the world, and tha
therefore we call upon all cur people t
lift up holy hands in prayer to the God 0
battles, without personal wrath against th
evil doers on the one hand, and withou
doubling the righteousness of our cause o.
the other, that He would give wisdom t
the President and bis counselors, and sue
cess to the army and navy, that our be
loved land may speedily be delivered fror
treason and anarchy.
3. That while we recognize this un
happy war as righteous judgment of q Cd
visited upon US because Of the indiyidua
ard national siDs of which we have beel
guilty, we nevertheless regard this rebel
lion as more Immediately the natUra
result of the continuance and spread 0
domestic slavery in our land, and therefor
hail with unmiBgied JOY the proposition 0
our Chief Magistrate, which has received
the sanction Of Congress, to extend ali
from the General Government to an,
State in which slavery exists, which shat
deem fit to initiate system Of consti;u
tional emancipation.
t. That we deeply sympathize with al
loyal citizens and christian patriots In tbt
rebellious portions of our country, and VI
cordially invite their co operation, in Of
fering united supplications a. throne o
grace, that God would restore peace t
our distracted country, re-establish frater
nal relations between all the S,atesr asC
make our land, in all time to come, tht
asylum of the oppressed, and the perma.
nent abode of liberty and religion.
! 8. That our devout thanks are due tC
Almighty God for the success which has
crowned our arms, and while we praise
and magnify his name for the help and
succor he has grsciously offered to our
laud aud naval forces, in enabling them
70 overcome our enemies, We regard these
tokens of his divine favor as cheering ill.,
dications Of the final triumph Of our cause.
1t is happy indication to read these
clear, frank, patriotic, Christian avowals
from the Leading exponents of the strong
German element in the Border States.
They have the bold ring of LUTHER in
their decisiveuess, and are worthy Of the
Preacher Colonel MUHLENBURG in their
timely declarations. May every Lutheran
respond to their spirit
rsa, Pres. Lincoln's visit to Fortress
Monroe, seems to have expedited progress
as much as bis order to advance by 22d
Feb. We think Gen. Mcclellan can rest
- L.