National Republican., 1888-01-23
Mr.. SCnNEIDER'S FAREWELL
TO THE CONGREGATION OF TIE con-
CoRDIA LUTHERAN CHURCH.
Some of the Reasons for His with
drawal-Threo Dollar Fee for Mem
bership-No Religious Test-suggest-
ing Amendments TO the Church Con-

Rev. Louis Schneider, the retiring pastor
Of Concordia Lutheran Church, preached
bis farewell sermon yesterday morning. A
congregation OF unusual size was present,
and as the reverend gentleman uttered the
closing words of farewell few dry eyes were
in the house. His text was taken from
Acts Xxx, 18th verse-the farewell Of Paul
to the elders OF the congregation at
Ephesus.
After speaking OF the arduous labors Of
the Apostle Paul in Asia the speaker re-.
ferred to the affecting leave-taking Of the
congregation from Paul, Its missionary
pastor. Mr.. Schneider spoke OF the pleas.
ant relations existing between the congre.
gat.on and himself as being analogous to
this chapter In the history OF the early
church.
"Paul," said he, complains of the per-
secutlons OF the Jews In the course OF bis
work. Trouble and dissenslon are always
more or less the lot OF every pastor, for
every congregation contains elements as
thoroughly opposed to the true spirit OF
the church OF Christ as the Jews were. 1t
Is these that the pastor must not only con-
tend with, but his Christian duty is to
bring them in harmony with the work. 1
thank God that have little Of which can
complain in this respect during the five
years Of my pastorate. My relations
with you have been altogether friendly.
Not against the church, but against
the constitution of this congregation,
nevertheless, would / lay charge, q
grave charge. Not that the Objectionable
feature OF your church constitution has
ever been exercised in any manner injurious
to me. Not for my benefit, but for your
benefit, and for the benefit of my sue.
cessor, would | call attention to danger
lurking In that constitution. You have no
clearly defined method Of admission to
membership. You have ridiculous con-
dtion, the only condition for eligibility to
membership, q condition which the Jew,
the Mohammedan, the heathen can fulai
more conscientiously than the earnest and
discreet Christian. Your constitution
makes the payment OF 80 sufficient to en-
| title to membership. No word us to pro.
fesslon of faith, 10 word as to the spiritual
| condition Of the candidate, no word as to
the motive Of the candidates application,
| only tie financial side, the money question,
| receives consideration, as III dollars made
the Christian and the church. l thank
God that it has been my privilege to
add other conditions to the foregn-
ing one, but 1t still remains in the bool;
| Of the constitution the only requisite for
membership, and a successor loose In scrip.
tural doctrine would speedily make your
| Christian name but hollow sound and q
most inappropriate epithet. In the five
years Of our united work am glad to say
we have recognized as first and chief condi-
ton for membership brothers. spiritual
condition, and the money question last OF
all. The church council has already
adopted the formula OF an amended
constitution for adoption, and It will
come before you in the next semi-annual
| NNIs ~, Ill 4
| crimfnate against such who are as antago-
nistic to the 81 irit Of true Christian life
as the Jews Of which the apostle Paul com
| plains In his farewell address to the elders
1t is not because my faith has grown less
because my love Of Christ has grown less
lie is still the same to me, and II / could
take these sayings OF His, the book of God
and plant 1t deep into the foundation Of
this congregation as the mason plants the
cornerstone of the edlGce he shall real
upon 1t so firmly that to tear II out would
cause the downfall Of the whole house
then would / feel that my work on eartl
had been done and / might go
To do that | shall take my place
in your midst as a worshipe
with you as q member OF the church, as {
worker in the Sunday school, that ! may
exercise the right Of suffrage as a member
which your constitution denies me as you
pastor, and / shall feel that will still bt
true to my calling and my obligation.
1t is not a farewell | bid you to day.
remain with you in the same friendship, II
the same work, holding the same aim Il
view. / simply step down into the ranl
and file. May God bless our coming spirit
ual leader, prosper our congregation, ant
above all pour down upon us a Pentecosta
spirit. AmeD.'
Many beautiful flowers were presented Il
Mr.. Schneider when he finished his dis
course.