New-York tribune., 1902-02-18
MAY DIVIDE LUTHERAN CHURCH.
ENGLISH SPEAKING CONGREGATIONS WILL
ASK LEAVE TO FORM SYNOD.

Rochester Feb. Il CSpeciaD.-A movement is
der way among the English speaking Lutheran
churches of the Synod OF New-Yorl1. which when
completed, will mark an epoch I'm the history OF
that denomination in this country. The clergy and
laity who engaged in it have for their aim
complete withdrawal from the present synod and
the establishment Of new English synod. with
similar boundaries 1t IS considered doubtful,
der the present complexion Of the synod that
such a radical step be taken without violent
opposition from the German Lutherans. It is said
that If the withdrawal cannot be accomplished
regularly. it will be carried through secession
Most Of the foremost English speaking clergy
men Of the Church back Of the movement
and are receiving the earnest support of their
parishes IN bringing IT TO q successful issue At
the session OF the synod held in this city juno
English Lutheran missionary from the Penn
sylvania synod, the Rev. c. w. Jeffries. asked
leave to carry on missionary work in the parish
church in South Brooklyn requesting at the same
time admission to the New-York synod. The South
Ras HnWng that the Pennsyvana S mssonary s1 S
shQuId invade ms parish Tor ProseIytlng purposes
sylvania clergyman said fatty that he had found
best interests OF the Lutheran Church demanded
its further prosecution.
The matter was referred 70 committee on
synod relations which reported adversely to grant
sharp debate prohibiting English Lutheran mis-
slonaries and clergymen from Undertaking any
pastor Of one Of the largest FGeIish T. i5r
churches in 'New-York city, said that this move
ment would result in revolutionary changes which
would put new form and face the Lutheran
Church in this country
The new movement has steadily advanced.
meeting of the English speaking clergy of the
New-YOrk synod was held in Albany three weeks
many churches, making in all about one-sixth
of the total clergy and churches of the synod. in
cluding German well English parishes. This
special session resolved to present the meeting
of the synod in Brooklyn next June demand for
withdrawal If this is refused il is expected it
viii be the tacit understanding among the leaders
or the new movement IS that secession shall follow
The Synod Of New-YOrk embraces not only this
State, but also New-Jersey and New-Eng gland and
some Canadian provinces. The great obstacle
which the English branch Of the Church expects
70 meet with in this step is the General Council.
This body has charge of the properties the
Church, including the seminaries and colleges As
this council exercises authority over all branches
OF the Church, II has the power exclude any
one Of them from the right enjoy the benefits
of these Seminaries and other educational insttu-
tiOns. One for such prohibition would be
found in the forcible withdrawal of a body of the
Church from another body, which, of course. would
preclude any possibility Of its presenting o the
General Council certificate of regular standing
TO grant the demands Of the English branch. that
the fight will be made right there. One prominent
German Lutheran leader, the Rev. John Nicum, OF
this city has practically announced his intention
OF contesting the right Of the English churches TO
leave the synod
In Rochester the English Lutherans are pros
porous and wealthy, including in the roll
Church, which presents the anomaly in the history
Of the Lutheran faith of church Of that denon-
ination with absolutely relations with any gov
erning body Of the Church.