The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-08-09

their sacrifices and hardships will never be
| fully told here, because written fully only
in the Lambs Book of Remembrance.
THE SECOND EPOCH.
| The second epoch begins with the organi-
cation OF the Virginia Synod in Woodstock,
| August 10th and 18th, 1920. The ministers
present were Revs. n. Schumacher, OF Wood
stock: Martin Walter and Daniel Hauer, OF
Botetourt county; John Keller, OF Madison
| county; Jacob Medtart, of Martinsburg:
John P. Cline, OF New Market-all being
| members OF the Synod OF Pennsylvania, the
only Lutheran Synod then in America.
Rev. Nicholas Schumacher was elected
president, and Rev. John Keller secretary.
The organization Of the Virginia grew out
OF no dissatisfaction with the parent organi-
cation, but from the desire to promote the
interests Of the Church in Virginia.
In 1850 the Synod numbered 10 ordained
ministers and liccntiates, with 40 congre-
cations and 2,572 communicates.
In 1860 the clerical roll embraced the
names OF 26 ordained ministers and 4 licen-
tiates, the largest number in the history Of
the Synod. There were Go congregations
and 3,72S communicates.
RECENT TINES.
In 1870 we find twenty-five ordained min
listers and two licentiates, with forty-six
congregations and 3,09S communicates.
The Church is gradually regaining the
losses by the war. The statistics at present
show twenty-three ministers and nearly
1000 communicates. The churches are an
nually giving a better support to their min
listers, and devising and accomplishing more
liberal things for the cause OF Christ.
The eloquent speaker concluded his. inter
estinS discourse substantially as follows ::
'And then looking beyond this Synod OF
Virginia, let me finally remind you that
within the limits OF this State as it then eX-
listed, where in the early years Of the CEN
fury Just closed thcrewer i've or six Luther
an ministers and few wldely-scattered con-
gregations, there are now upon Virginia ter
ritory in connection with the Virginia Synod,
the Southwest Virginia Synod and other
organizations having churches in the State,
about fifty ministers and membership OF
0,OO0 communicates. Is there not cause
here, my brethren, for gratitude, in view OF
Gods goodness to us in the past land en-
enlargement to renewed and more earnest
labors on our part in the future: May the
smiles OF Heaven ever rest upon our
Church, and with the lapse OF every year
may it be more truly said OF her, 'The
little one has become n thousand, and the
small one a strong nation.'"
have given but brief synopsis of this
able discourse, covering in manuscript
sixty-scven pages of sermon paper. 1t
should by all means be published in neat
pamphlet form.
THE MINISTER'S.
I may here add that over one hundred
ministers have been members OF the Viz
ginia Synod since its organization. Among
these | may name as prominent Rev. Pro
lessor S. S. Schumacher, D. D., Ii. D., for
many years president OF the Theological
Seminary at Gettysburg, Pa; Rev. c. p.
Krauth, ID. D., Ill. d., vice-provost OF the
University OF Pennsylvania and professor
in the Lutheran Theological Seminary in
Philadelphia; Rev. j. \. SeiSs, d. d., cdi-
for of the Lutheran and Missionary and
pastor OF the Church OF the Holy Com
munion in Philadelphia Rev. George
Dichl, OF Frederick City, Md; Rev. D. F..
Bittle, d. D., president Of Roanoke Col
lesc, Va. /; Rev. John b. Davis, D. d., prcsi-
dent OF North Carolina College, Mt. Plea
SAINT. y. c.: Rev. J. p. Smeltzer, d. D.,
i. w. Dosl, d. D., editor OF the Lutheran
Visitor, Salisbury, Il. c.; Rev. w. S. Bow
man. ID. D., OF Charleston, s. c.; and Rev.
\. r. Rude, D. d., OF Texas.
STATISTICS.
[ give few figures to show the growth
and strength Of the Lutheran Churchin this
country. The first Synod organized was
that of Pennsylvania, in 174S, under the
leadership Of Rev. DR.. Henry Melchoir
Muhlenbcrg. In 1856 there were only "a
ministers in connection with this body. In
1917 the Lutheran Church numbered So min
listers, with 23,515 communicates. The
Ch,uch Almanac for 1876 Philadelphia)
gives the following statistics: Synods, 81;
ministers, 2,6G9; congregations, 4,5I1; COM
municants, 573,139. There are - theologi-
cal Summaries, is male colleges, female
seminaries, I boards of missions, 10 publ
cation houses, II periodicals in English, -
in German, in Norwegian, in Swedish,
and in Danish.
At this rate OF increase, and with the en-
igration from the Lutheran countries OF
Europe, it will be seen that the Lutheran
Church will, within Il century, become one
of the strongest denominations in America.
SIGMA.