The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-09-10
RELIGIous READINe.
The Evangelical ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Church Notes.

CnuFen Aoteie
Yesterday was the second day Of the session
Of the Evangelical Lutheran syp6d'ot Ohio,
now in progress in Rev, Werder's church, on
Chapllne street The morning session OF the
Synod was opened in the usual manner by
the chaplain, the President Prof.. N. 10y, in
the chair. After the reading and adoption
Of the minutes Of the previous meeting the
discussion OF the doctrine Of prcdestinatlon,
begun yesterday, was continued. The lead
ing participants in the discussion were PROS.
StellhOrn and SChuette, and Reys. Brand,
Kuegele and Henkel, We were glad 70 see
that real spirit Of charity and moderation
prevailed among the brethren. With the
better mutual understanding which came to
light yesterday morning there Is some hope
that the COntending parties may come 10 an
agreement separation in the body Is
imminent but may be prevented II the
friendly and fraternal spirit Is allowed to
predominant. The speakers yesterday morn
Ing aimed mainly at liking the correct detini-
ton Of predestinatiOn, and at showing In
what sense the word election Is used in their
Formula Of Concord, Synod adjourned with
prayer. AT the afternoon session, after the
usual opening services by the chaplain, the
Vice President OF the Synod called the meet
ing to order In the absence OF President 10y,
The latter appeared shortly atterward. by
motion II was resolved 10 discontinue the
discussion OF doctrine for the present and to
hear the report OF the first committee having
the report OF the president in hand Several
resolutions were presented to Synod by one
OF the members, urging Synod To take firm
and decided position against the Mis-
souri, Synod. These were laid on the table.
After considerable debate 1t was resolved to
continue the discussion Of the theses present.
ed Thursday, namely, those four prepared
by Profs StellhOrn and Schuette and Rev.
Trebel, The remaining time OF the session
was consumed by debate on the first thesis,
At o'clock Synod adjourned with prayer.
For convenience OF reference, We repTintth
following statement OF the belief OF the con-
ference on the subject under consideration
ut this meeting:
First-If by election we understand us
stated In the Formula II Concord, the entire
purpose, counsel will aud ordination Of
God pertaining to our redemption, vocation,
Justification and salvation" We believe,
teach and confess that election Is the cause
of our salvation, and OF everything that In
any way pertains to 1t; therefore, also Of our
redemption and vocation, Of our faith and
perseverance in faith, Thus understood
election preCedes faith Us tho cause pFoccdes
its effect,
SeCond-But II by election We understand
merely this, that from eternity God elected
and nfallibly ordained to salvation certain
individuals In preference to Others and this
according to the universal way OF salvation,
we believe, teach and confess that election
took place In view Of Chrlst's merit appre'
hended by faith or, more briefly stated, but
with the same sense, In Wow Of faith, Ac
Cording To this understanding faith precedcs
election In tho mind Of God, rs tho rule QC'
cording to which one selects prCcedes the
! selection itself, and thus election, properly
speaking Is not the cause OF faith.
'Third-The mystery In election consists
not In this, that we do not with certainty
know from the Word Of God according t
what rule God proceeded In the selection Of
persons hutln this (a) That no one excep
| GOd knows who belongs to the elect; (b) thai
, We creatures are unable TO fathom and com
! prehend the wonderful guidance and dispen
Sations Of the Grace Of God tlwards indIvid
IIals ~ we'll As whole nations,
FouFth-The certainty Of the individual
that Ito belongs to the elect is before hi
: hour Of death, a conditional or regulated
(geordnete) certainty, that is bound to q Ger
; tain condition or order under this condition
and In this order however, 1t Is also infalli
: bic.