The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-11-02

emigration came from the Rhenish
Palatinate,. when King Louis XIV of
France threatened to turn their coun-
try into a desert. Those who of about
n half a million of human souls escaped
the sword, flames and frost finally
found q shelter upon the fertile plains
Of PENNSYLVANIA. 1t Is estimated that
by the middle of the Eighteenth GEN.
tury the German Lutheran population
amounted to at least 100000 scattered
over Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Those poor eXiles from the Palatinate
and subsequently emigrants suffered
for long time from the want of spir-
itual oversight.
I'm doctrine the American Lutheran
church does not differ from the Con-
tinental church. The Lutheran church
universally holds that the word of God
as revealed in the Old and New Testa-
ments is the only infallible rule of faith
and guide for life. Jesus Christ Is the
center from which all her theological
thoughts radiate. She does not con-
ceive an impersonal Christ as a substi-
tute for Jesus of Nazareth the Son of
God. His birth, His Life, His miracles,
His death and resurrection, His atone
ment for all the sins of the world, are
all absolute realities and form the in
dispensible condition of salvation
through faith in Christ. Christ is ever
present with His church. The sacra-
ments of baptism and the Lords sup
per are actual means of grace, by the
use of which the Gospel promise of for
giveness of sin is appropriated to the
one receiving the sacrament. They
are not mere memorials.
POLITY OF THE CHURCH.
'In regard to church polity she
adapts herself to the place and time
in which she lives. regarding eternal
forms of organization inferior to puri-
ty of doctrine. She believes in the
communion of saints, and holds that
wherever Gods word is taught in its
truth and purity and the sacrements
rightly administered there are Gods
saints on earth. In America the
synOdical form of church government
Is universally adopted with minor var
iatiOns. This Is, however, not essential
to her existence. In Sweden the Epis-
copal and in Germany the consstorial
governments prevail.
The Lutheran church is n pOlyglOt
church, preaching the gospel of saliva
tion In more languages than any other
denomination. In the city of Scranton
she has worshippers addressing the
Throne of Grace i'm five distinct Ian
guageS. She expresses her worship in
Liturgical form magnifying Gods word
above mans wisdom.
"The total strength of the Lutheran
church in America with her 1880, ,775
communicate members, 9.49S congre-
cations and 5.6S5 ordained pastors.
gives her the forth place among the
PrOtestants of this country. Her in
crease during the last decade has been
the highest per cent of all denomna-
tionS. Mere numbers do not, however,
measure the actual strength of
church. The silent steady flow Of
Christian virtue and piety are far
more potent factor to bring souls to
Christ than a numerical display. The
publication of the general councils new
paper. The Lutheran will be med
ium for discussion of church question
that could not be enjoyed while the
smaller journals were published
is with cheerful hearts that God
has Permitted us to participate in this
union service of the Churches of the
Reformation. 1t is with a feeling of
gratitude that we had occasion to re-
hearse together the events of the past.
to improve the present. to gain inspir-
alton for the future. Hndrances and
discouragements will doubtless follow.
Let us, however, endcaVor to discharge
every call to duty with firm resolve
and bouyant hope looking into the
Great Head of the Church for His con-
tinued blessing"