Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-01

shall have charge of the home at Baltimore.
The committee consists of Rev l.. NUM-
man, d. D., of Baltimore chairman, NJ
d. NJ. Gilbert, D. D, Rev r; II. MilIer.
D. D. Rev. r. B. Wolf, Mr.. }. e. Parker
of Washington, j. H. Ohe and William
Evert.
Question of Infant Baptism.
What was anticipated previous to the con-
yening of this meeting of the general syhou
of the Lutheran Church occurred yesterday
afternoon 1t was the discussion on the re-
port of standing committee known as the
committee on the common service Inns
committee has had in charge. among othei
matters. the preparation of forms Oh ilIh
isterial acts" for the use OF clersSheh III
baptizing infants. confirmation marriage
and burial service, etc. The first three
items of the committees report relating 10
a. translation of Luthers small catechism'
a common hymn book and Hturgical ser
vice for German hymn book, were all
passed unanimously without discussion,
but on the last question. already allud-
ed to- the discussion took up the entire
afternoon session.
The committee charged with this work,
and consisting of the learned theoiogians'
Rev G. U. Wenner, D. D., of New York,
chairman Rev. Charles S. Albert D. d, OF
Philadelphia, secretary; Rev. r.. j. VOL,
D. D.. Rev. s. A. Ort, D. D.. LID, and Rev.
D. H. Banolin, D. D., was unable 10 agree
on this report, although it has had the mat
ter in charge for six years, and therefore a
minority well as a majority report was
presented.
The discussion was the forms to be
used in infant baptism, and besides the
committee those who participated in the
debate were Rev. NJ. Valentine, d. D., LID,
of the Theological Seminary a Gettysburg.
Rev. NJ. w. HANNA, L. D., of Washington,
D. c.. Rev. J. D. Severinghaus. D. D.. of
Chicago, Rev. r. w. Hufford, D. D., of
Reading and others
Three Forms Presented.
There were three forms presented by the
committee for infant baptism. One of
these conforms closely to the one hereto
fore used by the general synod. Two
others are presented, closely conforming to
the forms in use in the Lutheran churches
of Germany, from Luther's time to the
present day. The first of these two forms
was offered because it is the one devised
by Luther and received ever since with
slight notifications by the overwhelming
mass of Lutherans. The second is al
ternate one used by the churches of south
ern Germany. The committee held that
the first should be adopted because it is
the accredited form of the church. ana
that it clearly sets forth the Lutheran
teaching concerning infant baptism. be-
cause it enforces the responsibility of the
child to renounce the devil and believe in
the triune God Off it would preserve the
favor God bestowed in baptiSm). as well as
the obligations of the parents to train the
child in the nurture of the Lord. This form
was objected to as being a reproduction
of the form for adult baptism, that the
questions directed to the child as
though the child believed before it had
intelligence. To this last the answer is
made that the questions are anticipatory,
indicating on what grounds baptism alone
can be effectual. Infant faith is word
often heard: both Sides however, deny that
conscious faith can be accredited TO the
child but that grace being given in bap-
tism many hold there must be in the child,
wrought of the Spirit, a condition of soul
whereby actual faith may be realized as
soon as the child comes to intelligence I'M
der proper Christian nurture.
The discussion was continued after the
evening service, a special session having
been arranged for it.
Board of EducatiOn's Anniversary.
Last evening the anniversary of the board
of education was held in st. Pauls Church,
the Rev. Mr.. Rhodes, DID, of st. Louis,
Mo. president of the board, presiding.
Rev. j. A. Clutz. ID, president of Mid
land College at Atchison, Kan, was the
speaker, his topic being: The State Uni
versity and the Denominauonal College of
the West and Northwest
The speaker undertook to show to how
large an extent the state universities have
been developed IN the west and northwest
especially. and also how large hold they
have upon the patronage of the general
community. AS this development is likely
to continue in the future the important
question is what the attitude of the church
shall be toward these state institutions.
Three possible solutions were suggested
and discussed. First. To close all church
schools and turn over all education, higher
as well as lower, to the state. This was
objected to the state is essentially nom
religious, and, therefore, could not give a
positively Christian education Second. To
form an alliance between the church and
schools This was considered impractical
BILE, it is impossible to combine church
and state. Third To keep the denomina-
tional colleges intact and entirely indie
pendent of all connection with the state
ard to place them upon an equal financial
footing with the state university in the
work they undertake to do. This the speak
er said would mean great revival OF in
terest in Christian education and more lib
erai giving toward it's support. He urged
the synod to take steps to inaugurate a
campaign of enlightenment and awaken
ing in this direction, and especially urged
the necessity of large gifts from
men of means, such as have lifted the in
situations of other denominations into
prominence and usefulness.
Result of a Fall.
James Watson, colored, fifty-seven years
old, fel. from a ladder in Days saloon, in
South Washington, this morning while
scraping the walls, and was seriously in
jured. He landed on whisky barrel and
was injured about the back. The police
ambulance was called and the injured man
was taken to the Emergency Hospital