The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-06-15
LUTHERAN SYNOD.
Reports of the Board of Church Ex-
tension and various Officers.

tension and Various Officers.
MANSFIELD, O., June 1.-THE Lutheran
Synod got down to hard work to-day and
mere business was transacted during the
morning session than has come before the
convention since its beginning. Rev. H. H.
Weber, general secretary of the board of
church extension, submitted the fourteenth
biennial report. The receipts, including the
balance, were $50, 592. an increase of over
q per cent The requests amounted to
So. 719, a decrease of $1,1S2, but the general
secretary knew personally of over $1,000
that had been put into wills for the board.
Nineteen churches had returned their loans
in full or in part. Loans, donations and
special appropriations amounting to $4159
had been made to IT'S churches, 81 more
than during the preceding two years. The
total assets of the board are $3.50, SCI, or
less the trust property, the net assets are
$264,721. The board asked for an opportion-
ment of $50 900 for the next two years.
The report of Willis S. Human, statistical
secretary, followed. There are at present
in the districts synods 1,5OS churches,
gain of 80 in two years; 2O5 preaching sta
lions, a gain of 49, There were 312 stu
dents for the ministry, a decrease of II.
The losses numbered II, Az but the access
sions were 36,940, of which 1920 were by
confirmation. The present communicate
membership is 1S4, 72S, an increase of 1920
the property owned by the churches is
81, TAB 7S9 a gain of 81, 1866, 402 The indebted
ness is $1,195,S12, an increase of $53,S92. The
local expenses of the congregations were
81, $685. 474. a decrease of $103,165. There are
l,l56 Sunday schools, an increase of 137,
with 23,06l teachers, an increase of I'll, and
1885, 354 scholars, a gain of 7,153. The schools
contributed for local objects $212. 1884 which
was 10104 more than in the previous BIZ
ennium, and gave for benevolence $3.50, 919,
decrease of So, 795. There are enrolled in the
young peoples societies 44,24S members, who
contributed $50,9S5 for local objects and
$1S.34S for benevolence. The total benevo-
lent contributions of the congregations were
500, 46S, a decrease of $6S,559. The total of
moneys raised for all purposes was SO, 005-
$40, decrease of $l2O,79S It was noted that
the decrease was largely due to the falling
off of contributions in 1895, those for 1896
showing gain of 800 over the previous
year.
The report of the deaconess board was
submitted by Rev. F. p. Manhart. The
Lutheran deaconess house was opened in
Baltimore in October, 1891. The growth of
the institution was so rapid that additional
room was made necessary and was secured
in September 1896. AT present there are in
the institution seven deaconesses, six pro-
bationistS and two candidates. In answer
to question Rev. Manhart explained that
young women becoming deaconesses do
not assume life VOWS but have the pre-
negative of leaving any time they so de-
sire. Donations in the way of necessities
of life have been very liberal and cash do
nations amounted to $3.50. The receipts of
the deaconess board from the different
synods during the biennium amounted to
$7.723, the expenses $7,433, leaving a cash
balance of $780,
The report of Louis Mause, treasurer of
the General Synod, was submitted and
showed a deficiency of $1,000 The synod
passed a resolution to make temporary
loan to cover this deficiency.
Rev. DR.. NJ. Rhodes, of st. Louis, chair
man of the committee on temperance. sub
mi f~1 CHl
temperance Instruction. in the public
schools and urging wholesome legisla-
ton on the subject. The resolution was
Rev. E. H. Delk, of Hagerstown, Nd,
chairman of the committee on Sunday
schools, presented the report. It was
volup1inous and showed that the Sunday
schools were increasing in membership and
in contributions to benevolence.
j. +. Graft offered resolution requesting
the board of trustees of the Tressler. Or
phans Home, at Lyonsville Pa to issue
a circular letter setting forth the needs
of nursery at the institution and appeal
ing TO women of the church to raise the
funds necessary for the erection of the
building to be ready for use by next April
The resolution was unanimously adopted.
Rev. DR.. George E. Scholl. of Baltimore,
secretary of the board of foreign missions,
announced that he had Just received from
a certain member draft for $500 for for
eign missions and had been informed by
another member that arrangements had
been made whereby the board would in
few years receive from 81. 800 to So 500 The
names of the donors were withheld The
synod vigorously >applauded the announce
ment. The following standing committees
were nominated and confirmed by the
synod:
Board Of Trustees of the National Lu-
theran Home-Rev. W. E. Parson, d. D.,
president, of Washington: A. F. Fox, treas
urer of Washington Isaac c. Slater. Sec
rotary. Washington: Rev. A. c. Albert,
Philadelphia Rev. w. NJ. Baum, PhiladeI-
phia; Rev J. G. Goeltman, Allegheny; Rev.
Samuel Domer, Washington; Rev NJ w.
HANNA, Altoona; p. V. Degraw. Washing
ton: George Ryneal, jr., Washington: Fred
Stiff Baltimore; ID. K. Remsey, Altoona,
D. E. Lafean, Altoona; G. G. Burett, Wash
ington John c. Parker, Washington.
Board of Foreign Missions-Rey. Luther
kaufman, Frederick. Md, president; Rev.
d. NJ. Gilbert Harrisburg; Rev r. p.
Herringhausen, Baltimore; Rev, o. c.
Roth Baltimore; Rev. Patrick II. Miller,