Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-05-30
WORK OF THE SYNOD.
OPENING DAYS PROCEEDINGS or THE
ATLANTIC DISTRICT CONFERENCE.
Tho President Reports Steady and En-
couraging Growtb-The Needs of Con-
gregation schoois--Other Notes.

A preliminary meeting TO the annual
conference of the Atlantic District of the
German Evangelical Synod of North Ame-
rica was held in st, Johns German Luth-
eran church, corner of Marshall and
Eighth streets, at II o'clock yesterday
morning.
There was quite good attendance of
both clerical and lay delegates, and many
Of the members of st. Johns congregation
were present.
The session was opened by the presi-
dent. Rev. f. Huber, OF Baltimore, who was for a
number Of years pastor Of St Johns Rev. Paul
l.. Mcneil, Of Richmond, acted as secretary.
After the organization was perfected the va
rious committees we're appointed, the most I'M
pOrtant Of which we're.
Committee TO offer resolutions on the report Of
the District Prcsident-Revs- ". Burkart, Paul
Scheliha, and G. Klrschmsnr.
Committee 20 offer resolutions on the reports
Of officers OF the entire SynOd-Rey Paul Ia
Menzol, II. Katerndahl, and E. J. Schmidt
With the transaction OF a few minor matters
the preliminary meeting adjourned.
THE REGULAR SESSION.
Just before tho opening OF the regular session
Of the conference the delegates and lay men,
bers we're invited 10 tho lecture-room OF the
church. where n tempting course Of refresh
ments were served.
At o'clock sharp President Huber called the
conference to order, and after prayer and song
the regular business was begun.
The credentials OF the lay-delegates were sub
mltted by the Committee on Credentials, the
following gentlemen being recommended as en-
titled 10 full membership: Messrs. August
Schroeder, Perry Hall, Md. Richard Gutemuth,
Sandlake, n. Y; Herman Kaestner, 81 PanIs
church, Newark, ". j.; e.. Phillinger, Williams
port, Pa F. Rail, Troy, n. Y. Henry Meta
Stenin's church, Newark, n. j.; William Harm,
Columbia, Pa; Karl Erck, st. Matthews church,
Baltimore; Louis Spehr, Albany, n: Y; Frede-
rick Heinbuck, Annapolis, Nd. II. q. Miller, ~.
JOhannes'G church, Richmond: Frederick storck,
New York, and William Sames, Scranton, Pa
The only congregation which sent no delegate
or an excuse io- not doing 50 was that OF Salem
church, Baltimore. The matter Was commented
upon and this congregation Is open 10 reproof Dy
the Conference. If II repeats this action 1t will
be- ruled out OF tho District Synod according 10
the constitution governing II.
PRESIDENT HUBER's REPORT.
President Huber then read his annual report,
which was an able paper, illustrating many
interesting points. He stated that within the
past year considerable progress had been made
One church had been built at Scranton, Pa:
new congregation secured In Baltimore, that OF
st. Peters church, which was taken charge OF by
Rev. William Batz; a site had at last been Sc
cured, but there would be n slight delay In the
erection Of the building, assistance viii DO re-
quired from the Mission Board the district had
spent $3.50 during the year for church-eXtcnsion
work: harbor work Is being conducted at two
stations In Baltimore and one In New York.
President Huber laid great stress upon the Inn
portance Of maintaining the individual rights OF
the districts without by 80 doing losing the vital
connection Of the Synod at large.
The report was referred 10 the committee, ana
will probably be finally acted upon to-day.
During the year three ministers joined the
CONFERENCE.-The Rev. G. Fritsch, Z. Long, and
G. Drewitz, the latter having taken charge OF ~:
Peters church, Washington, which can boast Ct
the oldest and most important congregation In
that city.
WANT coSGREGATIosAL SCHOOLS.
Tho Committee on Congregational Schools
made report, which was read by Rev. Paul L.
Menzel. chairman, II which the necessity Tor
congregational schools was strongly advocated.
IL states that there are 5000 children In the
Sunday schools, out Of which only 400 attend
congregational schools Of any denomination. IL
argues the adysabilty ofthis class OF instruction.
not from national point OF view, but simply 70
obtain the benefits OF religious influence.
This report was commended by nearly every
delegate, and n resolution was adopted providing
that IL be sent 10 the Central Board on Congre-
gatiOnal Schools, and will also DO discussed IN
this conference later.
Tho session adjourned till O'Clock this morn
ing.
SERMON TO THE DELEGATES.
A special sermon preparatory to the dlstribu-
OF communion on Sunday morning was delivered
| last night by Rev. Paul Schellha. Quite large
number other than tho visitors were present.
The amounts received from the collection OF
dues and contributions received by the Secretary
OF the District Conference yesterday were as
follows: Widows and orphans fund, s4O ;
aged ministers fund, s2o; church extension
fund, 5000.
sYNODICAL NOTES.
Before the opening of the preliminary session
yesterday morning a charming lunch was served
| the delegates In the lecture-room OF st. Johns
church by the ladies Of the congregation. short
addresses Of welcome were delivered by Mr.. ii.
G.. Miller and Rev. Paul L. Mcneil
The hours for the sessions OF the conference
are from 9 20 12 o'clock In the morning and 10
In the afternoon.
Dues we're collected yesterday for the widows
and orphans fund and the aged-ministers' fun l,
and contributions we're received from the yari-
ous congregations OF the district for the church.
extension fund. These moneys were turned over
| 10 the secretary and treasurer.
All the proceedings Of the conference are In
German, which Is something novel In Richmond