The record-union., 1893-04-14
LUTHERAN SYNOD.
Proceedings Had at the First Day Of
the Session.
Ordination Sermon Delivered Last
Evening by Rev. Philip Graft
Interesting Ceremony.

/
churches in the State of that denomina-
ton, began its annual session yesterday
morning at the Sixteenth-street English
Lutheran Church. Rev. w. S. Hoskin-
son, pastor of the church, President OF
the Synod, presided. The members of the
organization were nearly all present, and
| the attendance very large.
After the opening exercises the Secre-
| tary, V. G. a. Tressler, read the following
list OF those present:
Clerical delegates-Rev. Philip Graft,
of Oakland: Rev. NJ. w. HANNA, D. D.,
San Francisco; Rev. w. S. Hoskinson, S.
Z. D., Sacramento; Rev. C. w. Maggart.
San Diego; Rev. S. S. Sprecher, D. D.,
LID, San Diego; Rev. V. G. A. Tress-
Ter, San Jose; Rev. NJ. II. Slime. Los An
geles; Rev. J. S. Moser Saratoga; Rev.
William Uhl, Los Angeles. Rev. c. +.
Oehler, Sacramento; Rev. II. j. Ongarth,
| Alameda; Rev. II. Gencke, San Fran
cisco.
Lay delegates.-John Everding, San
francisco; VIM. Moller, Oakland; w. II.
Hopple, San Jose; VIM. Bosbyshell, Los
Angeles; w. De Merritt, Sacramento;
Prof. F. p. Davidson, san Diego.
In his annual report, which was read.
President Hoskinson says: The second
year OF our history as q Synod is COM
pleted, and we gather to look over the
record of our work and get more inspira-
ton for the future. Considering the past
and present, we have much to be grateful
for, and can all take courage. Another
year opens before us, full of privilege and
opportunity. Let us enter upon it with
renewed zeal, and a determination to do
great things for the Master, in whose
/ no..
glory we labor"
The report also refers to accessions to
the Synod, changes in that body, and
other matters. among them OF the pro-
gress made towards establishing mis-
sion at Stockton. The report recon-
mended that the Synod incorporate under
the State laws.
The election of officers for the ensuing
year resulted as follows: Rev. Philip
Graft of Oakland, President; Rev. c. W.
Maggart of San Diego, Secretary; John
Everding, ST., of san Francisco, Treas
urer.
\ communication was received from
Fred ii. Lothhammer, Secretary of the
German Lutheran Church of Sacramento,
certifying that at regular meeting of
that congregation the constitution of the
General Synod was adopted, and that in
accordance with a resolution of the Board
OF Trustees it was desired to apply for
admission into the Synod.
a similar application was received for
admission from the Evangelical Lutheran
Christ Church of Alameda.
These applications were referred to the
proper committees.
President Graft announced the appoint-
ment of the following committees:
on Presidents Report-Dr, NJ. w
HANNA, J. S. Moser, William Moller.
on Letters and Petitions-Dr. w. S.
Hoskinson, V. q. A. Iressler, John
Eberding.
on APportionment-M. Slime, J. S.
Moser, w. II. Hopple.
On Leave of \ bsence and Absentees-
'. q. a. Tressler, c. +. Oehler, William
De Merritt.
on Devotional Exercises-Dr. w. $.
Hoskinson, Rev. c. +. Oehler, Fred
Lothhammer.
On Auditing Treasurer's Account
William Moller, W. II. Hopple.
After the reading and consideration of
the Treasurer's report recess was taken
till afternoon.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
In the afternoon the time was taken up
chiefly with the parochial reports show
Ing the condition of the churches throuph-
out the State.
The reports were the most ENCOURAGING
ever made, showing the denomination to
be generally tiourishing and prosperous.
Alterward some minor reports were
submitted, and Rev. V. G.. a. Tressler
delivered the preparatory address.
IN THE EVENING
The Synod continued its session at the
German Lutheran Church, at Twelfth
and X streets, good congregation being
present. The services opened with sine
ing and prayer in both German and Enc
lish.
Rev. c. f. Oehler, pastor of the church.
delivered an earnest and impressive SER
mon in German, and was followed by
Rev. Philip Graft, President of the
Synod, who preached the ordination SER
mon and conducted the services. formally
ordaining II. Gehrke of San Francisco to
the ministry.
THE ORDINATION SERMON.
The sermon of Rev. Mr.. Graft was
very able one and impressively delivered.
Owing to the elaborate character of the
services in general he abbreviated his dis
course TO some extent, and confined him
self more specifically to defining the du-
ties of the Ideal Pastor" In CONCLUDING
he said:
No doubt Christ's moral reign is con-
tinually growing from age to age. In
stead of scientific progress hooting and
sneer1ng at the divine NaZareue, it is con-
strained to crown Him with a reverence
that borders almost on alteration. What
is partial secret of His overwhelming
empire In human hearts? For his disci-
pies TO be filled with the electric intoyi-
cation ola pentecostal enthusiasm. and
therefore TO speak with the accent of the
Holy Ghost, for His followers to be out
and-out wltness-bearers to Gods truth.
and not toilet pletists wrapt in frilled and
rose-scented ceremonialisms, for His
church to magnify and exalt Him as the
lncarnate God, as the paramount figure of
faith and worship, and not as an ex-
quisite myth of moral beauty-these are
some of the principles that underlie His
magic and marvellous advance in the
world.
Whenever by power of JUNCTION, and
charm and Willingness of consecrated
love, and by unworldly elevation of
inouVe, ana glory OF martyrdom, men
nave propagated the story of manger and
cross and glorified throne, Christs
cause has surmounted every obstacle and
VIGOROUSLY plucked the laurel leaf at
the lannon's mouth and the CORY gibbet
All, Christ's religion is no weak, super
ticial sentimentality, no soft, dainty
lavendered form of ethics. no merely
hne, many-colored emotion towering
out of the moral sense, but, first and
last, 1t is a stalwart lifelong service in
the way of total self-surrender to the high
will of the Master
If our modern Christianity is not cele-
brating as many resplendent triumphs as
1t might, II is because it is getting some
what overcrowded with sleek, curled,
perfumed utterers of a Gospel of hollow
lnslncerities instead of manned and of
hcered with dedicated spirits of an i'm
perlal courage and whole-souled conse-
Grafton. If we are apt to be rather self
indulgent than self-renouncing, Jelly
cold than electrically a.ame, IDLY david
ling instead of unweariedly diligent in
Gods work, recklessly mapping on peril
Gus edges OF indifference instead of being
sturdily alert-no chapters of moral