Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1865-06-06
PIttaburgh synod Of the Lutheran

SATURDAY MoRs1Na, June 3-The irst,
bait hour WAS spent in devotional services.
The committee on Uniformity of WOr7:
ship reported: Whilst entire uniformity
cannot be expected or attained in church
like the Evangelical Lutheran, which is
spread over so sarge portion of the globe,
embraces so many natiOnalities, and allows
so much freedom in things not essential to
thesunitS OF the faith, yet such uniformity
ia desirable and important within the
bounds Of single nationality, and espec.
tally among The churches of the same Syn
cd, that the minds of worshippers be not SO
often disturbed, and ministers seriously
embarrassed, through the want of har-
mony in the services of the sanctuary.
This diversity, moreover, is calculated
not only to keep us separate, but also to
separate us more widely. An order of
worship at once scriptural, simple and
practical, in harmony with the spirit and
general form OF worship in the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in all lands, will bring
US more closely together, and enable us
to labor harmoniously in the same field.
The following order, already adopted in
substance by several leading Synods in
connection with the General Synod of the
United States, is respectfully suggested.
L IHtroit, followed by Confession.
s. Reading Of scripture eosPle or Eplstle or both,
or some other portion Of Code Word - y
General Prayer to be precedediby the creed, II
s Bymn, during which Ministers ascend the
8. Sermon.
4 closing Prayer, either the LOrds Prayer, or to
close with Lord's Prayer.
g. appointments and Collt otionS,
9. Hymn.
10. 6enedIction.
The Committee on the Prrmauency of
the Pastoral Relation then reported: From
The New Testament the pastoral relation
seems to have been no temporary one
An itinerancy has its advantages, especial
y in an unsettled state of society, but
there is no warrant for an unsettled min
is'ry. When rightly viewed, the sauctity
of the relation between pastor aud people
is little, if any, inferior to the marriage
relation, and should therefore neither be
lightly entered upon nor broken for trivial
causes. As a general rule the union of
minister and people should be formed not
as an experiment, but to be broken only
by the hand of death.
In our churches it is very generally
agreed that the frequent removals of pas
tors from one charge to another is an evil,
and generally Injurious, because,
l. Congregations are kept in constant
tsrment-those having efficient pastors
fearing lest they be called elsewhere, and
those having capricious members agitared
By the cry of 1--WE ought to have q change,
we wont prosper without new minister. p
2. The expense of frequent removals is
no trIhiug burden, falling as it does most
largely upon the minister, who is so little
able to bear it.
6o1dn
left uusupplied with the ministrations Of
the Word and Sacrament.
4. They interfere very seriously with
ministerial growth and Improvement
Habits of study are iuterfered with, and
the temptation TO fall back on the labor Of
others is very strong.
8. The sympathy, confidence and love
of the people is not given to him who stays
few months as to him who by long resi-
dence is as father in the community.
The causes of these changes are many
and may be traced: Z
l. To the division of communities into
small, rival societies, neither of which can
give an adequate support to a minister.
3 To the uncertain and beggsrIy way of
'raising the salary" in many of our
churches, making it dependant upon the
whims and fancies, the likes and dislikes
Of the congregation. This support is with,
held, because the idea seems to prevail tn at
the pastor must have no support unless he
succeeded in pleasing the people, whether
God be or be not pleased, being a subor-
diuate matter.
B. To the mode of settling ministers. Too
often with both minister and people, this
is kind of arrangement, until one or the
other can do better. Permanency, a life
contract is not looked to, indeed in some
places they speak of "hiriDg the preacher
by the year." just as their farm or factory
hands. S-s
4. To the TeStLessneSS and WnsdSinesS of the
public mind. Work must be done rapidly
or the minister is not the man for it and
must be dismissed. Men have forgotten
the important duty of lOGiting upon God
3. To the increase of what is expected auC
demanded of the minister. More study, NOR,
general knowledge, more public speaking
more pastoral visitation, more labor Q
every kind lie looked for from the minister
than formerly, his health aud courage fai
him and he is obliged to retire.
6. To the calls which efficient and influ
entail pastorsreqeiVe to. EeaUe their charge
tor others, deemed OF greater Importance
or to positions in our Colleges, Literar,
and Theological seminartes, Orphans
Homes. Hospitals and in our religious pc
riodiCals.
Z. To tho low and mercensry view which
. is widely held concerning the minislerid
ofice, rather the servant of men than M
ambassador OF Jesus Christ, a mere "hire
ling" to Wbem the wages is the mail
object, is the opinion of many, aud it mus
be confessed, that the conduct OF some il
the ministry contributes no little to thi
unchristtsn view of the ministerial office
Some have forfeited their christian char
acteg by shameless irregularities and ann,
conduct, but, God be praised, such case
are rare. Some are indiscreet in thei
management of sOorEdy affairs. MANY ar
careless, Wasteful and exIravaEant 10 thei
e1Pensts, make deb,s which they canno
pay aud all the world inbtsts that minis
ter must pay his debts though no one els
does. Some ministers neglect their studio,
TO this they have many temptations iron
the people themselves, who make almos
incredible demands upon their time fo
Inn nVaFa ag,,ns