Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1883-03-29
THE LUTHERAN EPlSCOPATE.
All the Ciergymen At tho EastOn Conf
ence In Fav 1r of u Bishop.

All the Ciergymen At tho Easton Confer
ence In Fav 1r of bishop.
The Lutheran conference in Easton
continued yesterday to discuss the
, establishment of the episcOpate. Rev. d.
H. Geissinger, of Easton, opened tho
question by lengthy paper on this topic.
After a somewhat exhaustive discussion
of the nature of the church and the gene
sis Of its organization and government,
he reached the conclusion that the episcO-
pal form of church policy was undoubtedly
scriptural apostolic, historic and practical.
The great end of the organization of the
church, he said, is the propagation of
salvation {; that is the truth and life of
Christ himself; so Christians must
DO careful not to fall into the error of
imagining that forms are essential.
Many reasons were submitted, elaborated
and illustrated to show why the episcO.
pate in some form should be restored or
revived in the Lutheran church in this
country. The Lutheran church is true
church she has, as her rule of rules, the
word of God she has the Holy Sacraments
and she has this word and these sacra-
nents administered by valldly constitut,
cd ministry. What the Lutheran church
has not got in America is that orderly
constitution and organization of the
ministry and churches, which, although
not an essential mark of the church, is yet
manifestly excellent and divinely approved.
The whole paper was an earnest appeal
for efficient, thorough organization in the
church, for the one supreme object of
glorifying God in the salvation and bless
tdness of men.
A Lawful Form OF government.
Professor Richards, of Allentown, read q
paper on the importance and advantage of
the episcopal Office to the education and
charitable institutions of the church. He
expressed an interest solely in the practical
feature of on episcopate. He was firmly
persuaded, he declared, that it is lawful
form of church government, and
he believed it would be expedient.
From his works and studies a
bishop would know better than anyone
else what were needs and what not, be-
cause his work and study would extend
over the whole field. He would be an
Overseer and this is very necessary office.
Another point of argument in the paper
was, "The consideration of how the Office
of bishop-an Overseer, would act upon
the effectiveness of our institutions"
Kov. Frey's Paper.
Rev. c. L. Frey, of Lancaster, then pre-.
sented paper on the salutary influ-
ence of bishop on the younger
clergy. Such an influence is very great
including, as it does, a kindly, gentle,
sensible, authoritative, paternal oversight,
and it was in this light that the paper
viewed the Office. The writer urged that
every young man ought to have an epis-
copus. He did not care if the bishopric
be nominal, if only it be virtual. The
project to enlarge ths prerOgative Of
the president of the synod was not deemed
suitable to meet the requirements. In
bishop the young Clergyman can find that
counsel which will carry him through,
where now he often fails for want of it.
In Favor OF an Episeopacy.
Following this there was read a paper
prepared by G. Elvin Haupt, of Lancaster
on the advantage of the episcopal Office to
the home missionary work of the church,
with special reference to the West. This
paper also set forth the advantage of have
ing a bishop in the church. The remain
der of the afternoon was devoted rather
to the means to be adOped for furthering
the movement than to anything elias, rs
the members are, with an exception or two
fully impressed with the necessity of hav
ing bishopric. A committee, consisting
of Revs. Sibole, Philadelphia Obi, Quak-
ertown Geissinger, Easton q; Richards,
Allentown Hinterlsitner, Pottsville
Spieker, Pc tstown Fry, and Haupt, of
Lancaster was appointed to have their
conferences discuss the question
Rt their regular meetings.