Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-06-01
ABOUT THE SYNOD.
The Meeting at lies Moines Repre-
sents Membership of 100000

ABOUT THE SYNOD.
The Meeting at lies Moines Repre-
sents Membership of 100000.
Des Moines, June 1.-The general sy-
nod which is now in session in this
city, represents about one-eighth of the
Lutheran membership-20O.0 commu-
nicants. 1t was founded eighty years
ago and was designed for union of all
the Lutherans, but various hindrances,
among them the successive arrivals of
vented this contamination. There are
other general bodies of them much lar
ger, but as a competent authority has
pendent: THE Lutheran bodies are
more closely united than the different
bodies of any other name"
The general synod is composed of $50
delegates. representing twenty four dis
extending from ocean to ocean over
zone reaching from the Potomac to the
Hudson. There is an equal number of
clerical and lay deputies, the latter
having full equality of rights with the
former, except that only an ordained
minister can be elected president.
=
with the general council and the United
Synod of the South-bodies of the same
faith, with which it likewise observes
comfy in missionary work. The grow
ing sympathy between the three gem
eral bodies is such that a common or
der of worship has been adopted by
them, and joint committee is now en-
gagged in the preparation of a common
IL,
The general synod also exchanges visit
Ing delegates with the general assem-
bly, of the Presbyterian church and
With both branches of the Reformed
church.
The powers of this body are chiefly
advisory. The Lutheran polity being
essentially Congregational, general or
ganization is neither legislative assem-
bly, nor supreme court to hear appeals
from congregations or synods. 1t pre-
scribes the confessional standard, which
is the Augsburg confession, and Issues
the manuals of worship and intruction,
but leaves organization. discipline and
Theological education to the district
syncds. 1t has charge. however, of all
the missionary operations, both home
land foreign, committing their admins
I tration to boards, and 80 ii has also the
supervision of humanitarian and ele-
mosynaty institutions
| Among the subjects of especial inter-
! est provoking spiritual discussion at
this convention is the administration of
1 the foreign mission department.. A rat
ting fusilade of criticism was directed
against the board just before the cleo
tlon of delegates, and this was sought
tc be made an issue. The occasion OF
this attack was the appointment of an
4 additional secretary. tho 1t was gener-
| ally understood that the main object
i've was the control of the convention
Like all associations of educated men
the general synod includes two tenden-
| oies, two parties, one more conservative,
the other more liberal: the one more
churchly, the other less so; and the con-
test for ascendancy wakes quite sharp
at times.
\ Another pending measure that ma,
4 Develop a considerable conflict is tn,
4 proposition to establish an official peri
odical. The missionary interests hav
ing been centralized, in spite of stron.
centrifugal tendency, link is wanting
i'll the chair of unitication so long as the
press of the church is in the control OF
Irrivate individuals. who, having no re-
4 sponsibility to the general synod. may al
any time open fire upon it against it:
Interests. This proposed new departure
has stirred up strenuous opposition, in
/ spired by the interests of existing jour.
nails and the companions of all unbridlet
4 PRESS.
4 Another question destined to develol
a serious division of sentiment is tn,
movement to adopt graded course o
Sunday school lessons, and to modif.
to this extent the International scheme
While generally using this scheme
Lutherans are far from regarding ii a.
representing perfection in Sunday schoo
II instruction. but there is also an elemen
J that clings passionateiy to everything
which bears an interdenomnational la
bel, and that will decidedly resist an,
departure from the lesson system il
vogue. The concession on this poin
very recently made by the international
committee has probably prepared wa,
for harmonizing the threatened antago
nism.
; There is no occasion for any heres,
trial and no movement for creed revis
Iion,' and barring the questions notice
above, II is not easy 70 lofeS'isi any seil
Gus friction or collision in the conven
ton. altho the tension between the twt
: parties may bring a storm at any time
Cliddcn News.
Special to Times Republican.
> Glidden. June Mrs. \. Armstrong
returned this week from California afte
an absence OF three months for he
health and is about as usual.
Work has commenced OIL the deep wei