The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-05-27

The General Synod ofthe Lutheran Church,
which convened at Canton, Ohio, on Thurs
day. il the oldest general body in the Luth-
eran Church ia the United States. When
organized in 1921. il comprised three synods,
representing 5000 communicate members.
| Il noy embraces 20 synods, 100 ministers
and 10000 commpnicants. In nationality
the General Synod embodles most Of the
/ English speaking Lutherans ia this country,
while enthusiastically it is the only branch OF
the Lutheran Church that co-operates with
other denominations in general religious
work, exchanges pnlpits with other denomlna-
tons and invites other evangelical Christians
\ 10 unite with them IN the celebration OF the
Lords Supper.
Numerically, the Lutheran Church now
occupies the fourth place among the religious
/ denominations 10 this country, having an en-
| rollment Of ,235, 900 COMMUNICATE members,
while throughout the world they have about
| fifty mllIions-possibly being equal in mum
| beers 10 the membership Of all other Protestan
denominations combined. In Norway, Den
mark, Sweden, Finland and Iceland the Con
/ fession Of Augsburg is held as an expression
Of the national faith, while IN Lapland and
/ Qermany the followers Of Luther largely pre-
4 dominate. In this country the strength
| OF the Lutheran Church IL largely resident ~
the central and Western States, while In the
\ Eastern States, Maryland, and especially
| Pennsylyania, represent the strongholds OF
| I.utheranism.
! In the United States the Lutherans have ~
colleges, rs theological seminarIes, beside 81
other institutions Of higher education In
eIeemosynary work, the Lutherans are repres
ented by &c orphan asylums, hospitals, dea'
| conesses' homes and other similar institutions.
The special interests which centre IN this
| Convention Of the General Synod cluster
principally around the questions which, dur
/ ing the past four or bye years, have
provoked much discussion CONCERNING the
| introduction Of the common service and the
deyelopment' Of Lntheris Catechism. At
the Convention held two years ago, those who
represent the liturgieal wing OF the Synod
sought the general introduction ofthe use ofthe
| Common Service in the worship oil the con
eregations by opposing the publication OF any
comics Of the hymn book, unlegs bognd with
a full copy Of this newer service. Since that
Convention, which was held at Lebanon, Pa,
the less liturgical party have continued to
press their claim. and the question very posi-
! bly, will be brought forward for further con-
siderstiop at this meeting. -.
The question Of the adoption and pub!ica,,,
ton of the development Of Luthers Small
Catechism, provisional copy OF which has
been printed and distributed for the review
and criticism of the Pastors, will come before
the convention upon the report OF the com
,nittee which has had the work In charge.
The merits Of this enlargement Of the Cate
chism have been discussed in the Lutheran
reviews AMI church papers, and the action OF
the General Synod will depend upon the
VIEWS held by the yarious delegates, some OF
whom contend that this Development OF
Luther's brief work constitutes one OF the
best handbooks for the catechetical instrnc.
ton Of the young in the doctrine OF the
Lutheran Chruch; while others, who are OPP.
posed to its publication, take the ground ina,
It's doctrnal development teaches ana would
/ Introduce Recommendation into the Church.