Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-06-11
SYNOD HAS ADJOURNED

A080068oo Hbo0y O0n RBote8 WOkk-
O0nssitotloasl OhaDges.
The Augustans Lutheran Synod
of North America adjourned today
to meet in Galesburg June next.
The greater part Of the afternoon
session of the Augustana synod yes
terday was devoted to discussing the
Rev. J. Seleen- Belt-City appeal. At
previous session the matter had
been turned over to b. committee for
investigation and report. This COM
mittee. composed of seven members.
brought in no less than three re-
ports. One Of these. which was
termed the "majority" report, IA
ored the suspension of the pastor
until the next annual meeting of the
synod. when the defendant could be
summoned and duly tried by this
tribunal. The second report.
brought in by Rev. A. w. Dshlsten,
of Kansas, favored recommendation
of the whole matter to a court Of
civil law. The third report, which
was termed q s'minority" report,
was brought in by ]. B. Oakleaf, of
Moline, who recommended that the
case be remanded back to the lower
court for rehearing. that is the Kansas
conference. That in case of another
appeal by either side. the matter be
properly and constitutionally
brought before this body. The ques-
ton was then raised whether or not
the case was now brought in accord
ance with the synod's prescribed
rules for appeals. The chair at first
felt some hesitance of ruling upon
the matter. as the synod's constitu-
ton does not prescribe any definite
course in such cases. The chair
then ruled, that in accordance with
Roberts rules of order, the appeal
was not before this body in compli
ance with parliamentary practice. A
resolution was then passed to the ef-
feet that in case the appellants wish
to seek redress at the hands of the
synod, they must bring this case be-
fore the president Of the synod and
the president Of the Kansas confer
ence before Feb. 1, 1898.
The large amount Of important
business not yet passed upon and
the desire of many delegates to re-
turn home by tomorrow, it was de-
oided before adjourning the after
noon session. to hold q night session.
This session opened at 1880 and
closed at 10:45. The first business
to occupy the attention of the synod
was a report from the committee sp-
pointed to consider the presidents
message. Next came a report from
the committee on the institutions
finances. A recommendation con-
tanned in this report favoring the
amending Of the institutions consti-
tuition so as to give the board of
regents the power to call. salary and
discipline the members Of the COL
legiste faculty, was the "bone of
contention" during the greater part
of the session. The session ad-
journed as stated above, without
passing upon this vital point.
The question before the house at
the close Of the night session was at
once taken up this morning. A res
olution to close the discussion was
passed and then the question was
put. the vote resulting as follows:
81 yeas, "a nays. Thus the synod
has instructed its committee on re-
vising the institutions constitution
to insert such paragraph. 1t may
be stated that this matter will not
be put to q final vote for adoption or
rejection until 1899. 1t 10 predicted
that If this clause is adopted. a num-
Der Of changes in the teaching force
Of the institution may be looked for.
Rev. s. G. Gilman. Ct New Britain,
Conn. entered his protest against
the resolution. Prof. c. w. Foss.
rendered his resignation as member
Of the committee and recommended
that President Olsson's name be sub
stituted.
The resignation of Prof. Foss was
not accepted, but DR.. OLSON was
added to the committee.
A committee on the revision Of
constitutions from q number of
congregations next reported. The
report was adopted. The question
Of revision Of the catechlsm was
next discussed at some length. A
motion to extend the time of the
morning session until the business Of
the synod should have been finished,
was next passed.
A change In the constitution Of
Augustana college empowering the
respective faculties to suspend and
expel students, was next passed.
The right to do this, has. by virtue
Of the constitution. rested with the
general faculty. A change in the
constitution respecting the time Of
opening and closing the school year
in the theological seminary was next
passed.
President Sward was authorized
to personally represent the synod 1t
the kings quadrennial jubilee at
Stockholm this summer.
TIE COUNTY TEMPLE.
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