The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-04-26
THE GERMAN LUTHERANS.
Annual Meeting Of the Middle District of
the Missouri Evangelical Synod.

The regular annual meeting of the mid
die district of the Missouri Synod, of the
German Evangelical Lutheran Church, be-
gan at st. Paups Church. corner of New
Jersey and McCarty streets, yesterday,
with more than three hundred delegates
and visitors in attendance. The general
denomination throughout the country is
organized with joint synod. comprising
thirteen districts. and the one represented
IN this meeting embraces more than one
hundred congregations in Ohio and Indi-
ana, with two in Louisville. These dis
tricts are organized upon the congregation
al plan, which allows representation from
the teachers, ministers and ley delegates.
The entire morning of yesterday, accord
ing to the custom of the church, was deyot-
II. G. Schwan, of Cleveland, president of
the General Synod. In the afternoon mis-
cellaneOus business, preceded by devotion
al exercises was transacted. The rOll-call
of the standing members was confined to
the ministers and teachers, as laymen. who
change with each succeeding meeting do
not come under this class of delegates:
Their credentials, however. were read and
approved. The main feature, and one
which is prescribed by the CONSTITUTION OF
by Re Rev. ssAJJ J. II. Sieman, Of CIeye.
land, O., president of the middle
district. In his opening remarks he took
occasion to refer to the approaching cele-
bration of the Washington centennial and
jOyed in this country as one of the results
of national freedom. Not only is the effect
of this liberty, he said, felt in political and
state circles, but also in the sphere of the
church, and as such it is largely account.
ct. of
the German Evangelical Lutheran Church.
In June q semi-eentennial celebra-
tion will be held in Fort Wayne
to commemorate the organization of
COrdelia College, now located in that city.
It's growth has been remarkable in the last
fifty years 1t was first instituted In log
cabin, i'll Perry county, Missouri.
The preacher dwelt for some time upon
doctrinal subjects Although religious
liberty and the institutions of the de-
aSfos in the '1 scwh 5f' the sSno
been the Strict adherence to the
word of God, which is, in reality. the teach
ing of Luther. These teachings are the
fundamental principles of the church;
synod are conducted. Other elements have
entered into this growth, but they are
minor. Among these are the adherence of
unionism and the opposition to all error.
The original founders of the synod. he said.
have passed away, but the doctrines they
taught and supported still survive, and by
them the synod of the present generation
is governed. Its enemies have predicted
that at the death of DIR. Walker, who was
one of the prime organizers of the synodi-
cal scheme. and who died in 1887, the
synods would gradually adopt new
paths and leave the old doctrines of the
original ministers But by the help Of
God" said the preacher. in conclusion, I'VE
hope to continue as we have done. 1t is
only by His assistance that we can hope to
perpetuate the ideas and the doctrines of
our fathers"
The annual report of the district presi-
dent was then presented, showing that dur
ing the past three-quarters of year three
ministers have been ordained and five
installed. One parochial schoOfteacher has
been installed, three members removed
from the district, and three ministers
report was that of the board of relief or
orphans of the teachers and ministers. ID.
w. Roscher. of Fort Wayne, treasurer,
made a very favorable report upon the
year, showing total receipts aggregating
something over $4,000 A vote of thanks
was extended to the Fort Wayne National
Bank, which has kindly furnished the
checks to the treasurer free of charge. The
meetings will be held daily until next
Wednesday, and the hours for them were
fixed at from $3.50 to 1t:30 A. NJ. and from
2:30 to p. NJ. This morning will be de-
voted to doctrinal discussions and the aft
ernoon to miscellaneous business. Tonight
the divine service will be conducted by
Rev. H. Weseloh of Cleveland.