Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-08-14
Second Convention OF ConeordIa English
District OF the Evangelical Lutheran
Joint Syned OF Oaio and ether States.

InlS SYNOD mas Deen Ill sesslOu uui
ing the last week at Mt. Calvary Church,
near Woodstock, Rev. Ii. Wetzel, pas
tor. This body is orc Of the Districts
of the Joint Synod Of Ohio and other
States, which is again Il district of a
still larger body, the Synodical Confer
ence. Although this district is yet quite
young, it already numbers ten ministers
and fourteen congregations. As many
of the readers of the HERALD are more
or less interested in the labors of this
body, we take pleasure in furnishing the
following brief account Of its proceed
ings:
The pastors present at this meeting
are Rev. A. A. Hahn, Pendleton
county, w. Va, Rev. A. Pheuger, Bal
timore, Nd, Rev. w. NJ. Slbert, Oak
Flat. w. Va, Rev. p. S. Swinehart
and vicar j. o. Miller, Waynesboro,
Va. Rev. E. L. S. Tressel, Baltimore,
Nd. Rev. Z. G. Tressel, Washington,
D. c., Rev. II. Wetzel, Woodstock,
Rev. G. W. Lose, Strasburg, Va, Rey.
J. f. Seneker. Cabin Hill. Va, and
Rev. Prof c. II. L. Schultz, vice presi-
dent of Joint Synod, Columbus, OHIO,
Ten of the fourteen congregations were
represented by lay delegates, besides
many visitors from the neighboring sis
ter congregations were present
The opening sermon was preached on
Wednesday morning by Rev. j. E.
Seneker, text, Cor. l, 10, theme,
THAT Ye All Speak the Same Thing,
Joined Together in the Same Mind and
in the Same Judgment" The speaker
exhorted to unity in confession and
practice and to charity in our dealings
with each other. Synod was then Or
ganized by electing Rev. E. L. 5. Tres
sci. president, Rev. j. E. Seneker, vice
president, Rev. G.. w. Lose, secretary,
the former president having first read
short report.
Wednesday afternoon was taken up
by the appointing o! committees and
the transaction of other business.
On Wednesday evening Rev. G. W
Lose preached to large audience on
THE Blessedncss Of Christian Fellow
ship" text, Matt. Is, 20.
Thursday forenoon was occupied by
discussing Theses on the subject Of Open
or Mixed Communion, presented by
Rev. II. Wetzel. In these Theses the
author in plain language set forth the
slnfulness of such practice and refuted
by clear scriptural testimony the many
objections brought up against close com
munion in these days Of false and unho-
" uniOnlsm. Thursday afternoon was
devoted to the snhject Of misslonating'
A lengthy report was submitted by a
committee appointed at the last conven-
ton, consisting Of Rev. E. L. 5. Tressel
and Rev. A. Pheuger, both Of Balti-
more. The report called attention to
the great need Of more earnest and
willing spirit in this direction. Espo-
cially did the committee plead that work
he commenced at once in Shenandoah
valley and portions Of West Virginia
where there are many Lutherans entire
" uncarcd for. Several cities were re-
commended as centres in which mis-
sionary work should be begun at the
earliest possible time. Several warm
and eloquent appeals were made during
the afternoon for more earnestness on
the part Of the pastors, and greater
llberality on the part Of the lay mem
bers in this cause. Thursday evening
an able and eloquent sermon was de-
livered by Rev. y. Phcuger on the sub
iect of The Sacrament Of the Altar, to
which very large audience gave un-
broken attention.
On Friday forenoon the remaining
Theses ofRev. Wetzel were discussed
and adopted, after which a series OF
Theses Oh Announcement for Com
muuion before Confession and Absolu-
ton" were taken up. AS we can not
here give the agreements and explana-
tons, which were certainly quite edify-
ing, it may not be amiss to give your
readers the Theses themselves.
|. Announcement for Communion Is
that old and well tested churchly order
whereby each member Of a congrcga-
ton wishing to commune at an appoint
ed time himself informs the pastor OF
such desire and ask for personal con-
ference.
.. 10 prevent the abuse and prolana-
ton Of the Lords Supper, the sacred
trust of the church, this practice is a
most valuable aid,
3. In the discharge Of his duties and
to meet his responsibilities the custom
Of announcement is great assistant
and strong safe guard to the pastor.
4. For each member Of the church
and for the church at large this is sc
sautary that to wantonly neglect it OF
dispense with it would be very injurious
and sinful.
5. On account of its object and OIL
account Of the nature Of absolution an(
its aim as preparatory to the Lord;
supper, announcement should precedt
confession and absolutiOn.
The discussion Of these Theses was
continued during several sessions be-
fore they were adopted.
On Friday evening the good people o
Mt. Calgary were again edited by
sermon on John 3, 1871, delivered by