The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-07-05

Orthodoxy in Ieipsic-The Lutheran General Com
ference-Spirit Of Exclusiveness-
sectarian views-six Theses-Civil
Marriages-Lutheran Anathe.
mas-Sabbath Observance.

mas-nabbath observance.
BERLIN, June 10, 1870
IL WIN not be thought surprising that while the
orthouox tendencies under the especial patronage
OF the aforementioned Minister Of Public Instruction
ana Religion, Herr Won Mueller. are stu in the
ascendant o large gathering should assemble ar
Leipsic styling itself the Lutheran General Con-
ference,n and openly avowmg most narrow and
sectarian views
The following Is o short but faithful synopsis OF
the proceedings, In which were united upwards OF
five hundred representatives Of the most orthodox
Protestant views, and hang from all parts Of Ger
many, England, Norway, Russia and even America.
DISCUSSION.
The first day was devoted 10 the discussion or
matters relating to the "holy" mission and evan
geical deaconres.
1t was shown that during the past year the MIS-
sionary societies OF Leipslc had converted 2So
heather to the Evangelical Lutheran creed; to effect
this result eighy-seven missionaries and assistants
were employed and the expense incurred was ever
$4,000 thalers.
Severe reflections were cast upon the Prussian
Diet by OF the speakeis from the fact OF that
body having. reported IN the HERALD. struck ous
this item from Its budget.
The opinion was expressed that 1t was perfectly :
lamentab!e to see religious AMI clerical matters
made dependent upon sordld monetary considera-
lions. or COURSE 1t urged that only such people
who understood nothing beyond Cutting OF coupons
and calculating dividends could be hardhearted
enough 10 cut down the expense OF converting the
Canres.
In treating the subject OF deaconrIes one OF the
speakers, clergyman and superintendent OF Atten-
burg, inadvertently committed himself to the state
ment that these evangelical institutions were imita-
"a If hQ G,t holt orIn
The second day furnished proof OF the strict Sec
tartan doctrines held by the overwhelming majority
Of the Lutnerans then present.
The discussion opened at the University
church OF st. Pauis by the President Of the Consis
tory Of Munich, DR.. Hairless Who stated the oh.
ject OF The Conference being an inqary into the
right Of existence Of the Lutheran Church.
He was followed by Professor Dr. Luthardt, OF the
Leipslc Consstory, whose discourse treated on the
uni 0rmlty OF doctrine in I'll, present Lutheran
Church, and who declaimed with great earneslness
and bitterness against unon tendencies and synods,
such as advocated by The liberal ProtesfanLS. He
designated the general FRANCHISE to the syn0dS as
highly pernicious and tyrannllng OF minoriiies.
hurry convene synols; IL mad better desisG rom
digging It's own grave. Each Synod should rigidly
subject Itself to the authority and discipline OF the
Lutheran Church.
The learned Professor, III conclusion, proposed the
following theses which were adopted WIN only three
dissenting voiceS:-
fbs-Uniform confessional faith fundamental tic Of
seoadNFor this reason we reject only
who permit diversity Of sosrne but also q tne oses who
Third-For the sell must expect and de-
shod IH ef s Il to 10 the
S 81 e % anse % ns
departure from this disresa an misuse of power.
;ha
Church. and cannot concede to them any right TO alter this
doctrines which they pledged ristfuy and consccn
,,rav al thoaa xvho bovo suboriv
Church preserve tor conscience sake the unity and
validity Of confessional Creed and 10 be guided BY 1t In all
siaia~To all those brethren, however, who in
we address brotheriy exhortaiion warning hold
~S Ss o sas 's
each in itself sad oil of them together.
CHURCH AND STATE.
The third day was occupied completing the work.,
still keeping In view rigid o. tnodOxy.
The order the day was the consideration OF the
question What position has The Lutheran Church to
take In o State about to Introduce civil marragcS
MARRIAGE.
long dissertation on tins point ensued, which
GUIDED Ia declaration OF the Conferences milatain-
ing strictly sacred performance Of the malriaga
rite It looks upon It not as worldly Institution,
but as based upon divine revelation and one OF the
speakers went so far as to maintain that at each
ceremony God was present IN person as spouse.
REORGANIZATION.
In conclusion a large numbsf Of theses were
agreed to, threatening those who would dispense
with tile sacred rites Of the ceremony with variety
of Church punishments;' for example, they and
their Children Shall De eAciuuou from tic OuuTCu
PRAYERS, from communion and all other sacraments,
and be In every respect regarded as despisers OF
divine authority.
Does not this look like Roman excommunicahona
SABBATH.
We have yet to notice discourse from the Presi-
dent OF the HanOverian COnsStory, respecting 1.-THE
keeping Of the Sabbath In a social point OF view"
Here 1t became evident that the orthodox clergy
wished to gain popularity among the laborng Glasses
by insisting upo its most rigid observance.
BARONIAL INFLUENCE.
During the proceedings there were also present
several hundred aymen, mostly from The lianovert-
an and Meckenburg feudal arst0cracy, who, though
not taking any part in the d.scY,sioas, evidently
strengthened by their presence this curious attempt
at stopping the onward progress OF enlightenment
and civilization II not throwing it back for century
or more. No one doubt that efforts OF This kind
Will have the very contrary effect to what is ntend
Cd will become fully evident In the ensuing CRISIS
OF the deep religious movement throughout the
length and breadth OF Germ