The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-02-16
LUTHERANS.

The various divisions into which the LutheranS
of the United States have separated are perplex-
ing to many For the information of those desir-
ing it we here set down statement which is be-
ieyed to be substantially correct using such mat
ter as we find in some of our exchanges.
|. The General Synod, which contains q dis
trict SYMBOLS 600 ministers, 1000 congregations,
and about 100000 members; and embraces nearly
all the English Lutheran churches in New York,
Pennsylvania, Maryland, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa,
Missouri, Kansas, and Michigan, together with
two or three congregations in Nebraska, Colorado,
and Oregon, besides Bohemian and Seandina-
Wan congregations. There are hardly 25 congre-
cations among those forming the General SYNOD"
in which the English language is not used. This
body is evangelical in character, and is understood
as not adopting the theology of the Augsburg Con-
fession and of the Old Lutherans concerning the
sacraments Of baptism and the Lords Supper
II. The General Council" which is mainly
German, and consists of y synods, $50 ministers,
955 congregations, and 10, 900 members. Out of
Its S25 congregations in Pennsylvania, the German
is preached exclusively or in part in about go OF
them, and substantially the same may be said of
its churches in New York, Canada, and the West
ern States. Except the Scandinavians of the
Augustana Synod in the Northwest, and few
English congregations the General Council is
wholly German.
This body separated from the General Synod a
few years ago, on the alledged ground that it had
departed from the old doctrine. A bitter contro
1900, bo, s;noo boon rroooJ botuoor +bap, Tho
General Council has developed "a strong spirit Of
ritualism and sacramentarianism.
III. The General Synod of North America"
in the South, formerly one body with the "Gene-
raj Synod" mentioned above The war divided it
from the North: whether it will revive its connec-
ton there, and, if so, whether with t'-a General
Synod or General Council, we can, Zach
would probably wish to make ii
bers.
This synod consists of six Z
ministers, $50 congregations, ant
Many of its congregations in Sou
gia, aud North Carolina, are tx
the Saltzburgers, and its member aOed
as mostly English, and are intelligent Id pious.
". There are 10 separate Synods which belong
to no General Synod. The largest of these is the
Synod of MissOuri-the largest in the country.
SYNOD OF MISSOURI
1t has $50 ministers, 400 congregations, and So
600 members.
JOINT SYNOD OF OHIO.
Ministers, l2O congregations, $50; members,
$4,000.
BUFFALO SYNOD.
Ministers, SO congregations, so; members 5000,
NORWEGIAN SYNOD.
Ministers, 60; congregations, 22O members,
p, 1000.
SIX MINOR SYMBOLS
Ministers, 700; congregations, 1900; members,
40, 600.
The aggregate of the above is, ministers, 1860;
congregations, 34O5; MEMBERS $4,000; which is
considerably under the number given from other
sources, and which include probably some small
bodies not entered in our calculation.
The immense immigration of European Luth-
Grams has given a very rapid growth to this Chris
tan denomination in the United States.
The Holmes Chureb-We are informed that
this church, on the Eastern Shore of Virginia has