The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1893-04-15
LUTHERANS IN COUNCIL.
Second Days Proceedings Of the State
Synod.
Various Reports Read-Addresses by
President Graft and Others-For-
eign and Home Missions.

The California Synod of the Evangelical
English Lutheran Church continued its
services and work yesterday, morning.
afternoon and evening sessions being
held at the Sixteenth-street Lutheran
Church.
At the mornings session, Rev. Philip
Graft and V. G. A. Tressler reported
upon the condition of the church and its
work generally.
The report dealt with many very prac-
tlcal questions, and, while of cheerful
tone, calls attention to many of the things
the church has had to struggle with.
sKEPTICIsM.
In regard to skepticism and the con-
tention of creeds, the report says:
lin spite of living IN skeptical age,
our people seem to be affected but little
by the pervading influences of RATIONAL
lstIc doubt, and in the face of heresy
trials and clamor of debate elsewhere,
our pale is free from the strife and vain
glory of schismatic tongues" and fur
Their that, while coming late on the
ground, our church possesses genius for
rising into an assured place OF strength
and prominence while others, under like
conditions, drag out a precariouS and
whitening existence. To our pastors al
ready, honors, whether in the daily
press or in the University chapel, or in
the Senate Chamber, are being accorded
which equal any enjoyed by the strong
est and proudest sects on the coast. If in
pretentiousness OF architectural style we
do not cope with others, we begin to take
the lead in designs OF striking unique
ness and beauty. In point of attendance,
our pews will safely challenge compare
son with any other evangelical creed"
MISSION WORK.
In regard to school, society and revival
work the report said:
whilst other communities are torn
and distracted with sounds of theological
warfare. we are pursuing the quiet tenor
OF our way, having no time to waste on
ear-splitting quarrels-for church build
ing, and debt-raising, and tough mission
work leave little or no chance for the
subtle quinks and bubbles, and delicate
niceties of metaphysical speculation.
Though We frankly recognize the value
and glory OF true reyivalism, we ordi-
narlly favor the hand-picked and quieter
methods OF spiritual culture and in-gath-
ering. In holding Loyalty to the funda-
mental principles of the reformation, we
cordially cultivate and exercise pulpit
and altar fellowship, eschewing the prac-
tee of narrow and exclusive piety,
while gladly and vigorously subscribing
to historical Lutheranism.
The church is gaining ground, despite
the grim patches of shadow and heart
sick experiences that lie around the
church, as matter OF course-disIoyalty
to membership vows, the craze of NAM
mon-worship, moral insensibility, lack
OF whole-hearted devotion to God, at
times icy GOODNESS and torpor, some man
ifest tendencies to a beastly materialism
or sensuous refinement of living, lib
eral support of the Lords cause, reckless
Sabbath Dissertation, peculiar restless
ness of the population and sometimes
tragic dismemberment of family ties by
! reason of an easy divorce system"
The report was adopted as the sense of
the Synod, and ordered spread upon the
| minutes.
TO WORK CALIFORNIA.
DIR. Hoskinson presented the report of
the Home Mission Committee, together
with a resolution asking the Woman's
Home and Foreign Mission Executive
Committee of Springfield, Ohio, to en-
deavor to send young men from the East
for California work.
This brought up general discussion.
which engaged many OF the pastors pres
ent, and it was decided to adopt the reso-
luton after being changed in some re-
spects.
OTHER MATTERS.
Rev. J. S. Moser reported upon church
extension, and his report was also freely
discussed.
William Muller in the talk suggested a
need of practical business methods in
this department, and especially urged
newspaper advertising as a means best
calculated to advance the important work
of the church. He thought it quite as ju-
dicious to apply through it as it was for
practical business men.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
After the usual devotional service in
the afternoon discussion on beneficiary
education ensued, and it was decided by
the Synod to educate student for the
ministry.
Louis R. Garrett of Los Angeles was
selected as student upon whom the
beneficiary honor would be conferred. 1t
is intended to send him to an Eastern
college.
Delegates to the General Synod, to
meet IN Canton, o., in May, were elected
and were as follows: Rev. NJ. w. Ham
ma of San Francisco, Rev. w. o. Hos
kinson of this city, DR.. &. G. Burnett of
San Francisco and r. II. Young of San
| Diego.
Rev. w. S. Hoskinson presented the
following resolution, which was adopted:
RESOLVED, That the Synod returns hearty
| thanks to the RECoRD-UNIoN the Bee and
Nel0s of Sacramento for the full and generous
reports of the proceedings.
After deciding to meet next year at
San Diego, the Synod took recess until
| 1880 O'Clock in the evening.
EVENING SESSION.
The services in the evening were intro
duced with an organ voluntary, followed
| by the vesper liturgical service, includ-
ing responsive reading and chants. The
entire congregation united in singing
'In the Cross of Christ l Glory"
Rev. NJ. H. Stone of Los Angeles read
impressively the Scripture lesson, from
the tenth chapter of Romans.
Rev. ]. S. Moser of Saratoga led in
prayer.
made an address on Foreign Missions"
giving in clear and lucid way view of
the general tield-the needs, duties and
obligations of the foreign work
Rev. NJ. w. HANNA of San Francisco,
member of the Lutheran Board of
Home Missions, then addressed the audi
ence upon the Home Mission Work.
making powerful address, in which he
described with eloquence and force the
joys aud sorrows, trials and triumphs of
the home missions pastors, of which the
California Synod has large number
of exceptionally successful ones. DR..
Hamm held the close attention of his
audience during his earnest and eloquent
discourse and deeply impressed his
hearers.
After liberal offering, the thanks of
the Synod were extended by President
Graft to the congregations of Rev. w.
S. Hoskinson and Kew. G. F. Oehler, for
their generous and munifcent entertain
ment.
President Graft also took occasion to
thank the press of this city for what he
characterized as its noble generosity in
giving SO much space to reports of the
work and services OF the Synod, adding
hnt IL