Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1874-10-13
From the Baltimore Sun.
Maryland Synod Of the Lutheran
Church.

HARRISBURG, w. Va, Oct. Z, 1874.
The Maryland Synod of the Luther
an Church began its fifty-ffth annual
session in the Lutheran church of
this place last evening. This Synod
is one Of the oldest and largest Luther.
an bodies in this country. 1t en-
braces in its territory the State Of
Maryland, the District CT Columbia,
and two or three counties in West
Virginia. There are connected with
it about seventy-fve ministers, the
majority of whom are in the active
work Of the ministry. These min
listers represent fifty pastoral charges,
with about ninety congregations, and
about 1880 members. Each charge
is represented by lay delegate, in
addition to the pastor, giving d Synod
a clerical and lay membership Of
about l25. Most Of these were pres
ont last evening at the opening service,
which consisted Of a sermon by the
president Of the Synod.
The sermon was preached by Rev.
DR.. Steck, D. D., of Middletown, Nd,
who has been president for the last
year. He us,l as his text, Mark, 8;
1910. lie began by saying that I'M
der the very best of teachers, men are
often poor learners. This is true in
reference to general knowledge, but
especially in reference to spiritual
things. We have an illustration of
this in the narrative from which the
text is taken. After some illusions
to the circumstance he announced as
the theme Of his discourse, "Religious
intolerance. The sermon was an
eloquent and forcible appeal for to-
Grafton among Christians with refer
epse to religious belief on non es-
sential points. In the treatmnnt of
this theme the doctor showed that it
is impossible to force men to think
alike on all questions OF Christian doc
trine and practice, aud that the Word
of God does not demand that they
should. He argued that even if uni
formty of opinion and practice could
bs secured it would not be desirable;
that it would end all investigation
and progress. He concluded by All
appeal to the ministry and laity to
hold fast to the great, fundamental
doctrine Of tie Bible, and to make no
compromise on these, but to allow
large and full liberty on all other
points.
DR.. Steck was assisted in the devo-
tional exercises by Rev. DR.. Valentine,
president OF Pennsylvania college,
and Rev. X. J. Richardson, of Smiths
burg, Md.
This morniug. after a devotional
meeting Of half an hour, the Synod
he'll its first business session at nine
o clock After the preparation of the
roll Of members for the present year
the president presented his annua
report, which was clear and succinct
statement of Lis official acts during the
wear, and of the condition of the
charges belonging to the Synod.
From this reporti it appears that since
the last session five ministers have
been dismissed to other Svnods, five
new members have been received
three corner stones Of new churches
have been laid, six new churches have
been dedicated, aud four vacancies
exist within the bonds of the Synod
The following officers were then
elected for the ensuing year: Presi-
dent. Rev. g. Diehl, b d., of Fred
erick, Md,; English secretary, Rev.
Prof. 7. NJ. Bickle, Of Pennsylvania
College, German secretary, Rev. +. P.
Of Baltimore; treasurer,
Mr.. ]. NJ. Bushey, Of Frederick. Md. !
The morning session closed at III
o'clock. c.