The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-01-29
Finnish Lutherans.

Finnish Lutherans are increasing In
numbers in this country at the rate Of
1900 a year, and those conversant with
conditions say that practically tho whole
militant population OF Finland, numbering
100000. will come to America. The move
inent Is TO be a steady one, they say, q. 900
10 1900 2 year. by no means all affiliate
with churches upon their arrival but the
Finnish Lutheran Synod is growing in
strength rapidly,
Synod has missions in New York,
Philadelphia. Chicago, Minneapolis and
many smaller cities and Is extending itz
work along the continental lines OF rail-
way In the northwest, and across the line
In Canada. The Synod ~. like most OF
those Lutheran bodies other than Ger
man. independent OF all Others kept =,
largely by difference in language and vet
there is between this and other synods
Increasing denomna tional friendiiness In
1850 tho number Of communicates In Fin
nish Lutheran churches IN America wac
less than 1000. Now the number exceeds
60 on. This influx OF Firms in 10 mean so
Lutheran leaders already here predict.
the addition OF at least 100000 hard
working, well educated and thrifty peo-
pie OF a vastly higher grade than the
average immigrants.
Eleven-twelfths OF the Firms at home
are agifculturists and no other region in
the world. located IN such high latitude,
Is 80 intelllgently titled as Finland There
ere no fewer than - schools I'm which
the best farm methods are taught. prac-
ticaliy all Firms are Lutherans> hence
the alleged Russian pretensions that are
sending Finns across the Atlantic The
hest sailors In the Russian navy have
long been young Firms. An agreement
was made in 1903 between Finland and
Russia, which has ALWAYS been kept till
now by both parties The year named
was that on which the allegiance Of Fin
land passed from Sweden 20 Russia Con.
dltions of the agreement included local
self-governnent and religious liberty The
present Car IL not keeping the agree
mcnt. n Is said. Firms arriving here. re-
Gently say he wants their intelligent
youth for the navy and army. Hereto
fore Films are not compelled 20 enter
tho Russian army. The Russian ian
susge has largely replaced the Finn In
the schools and studies heretofore
taught, including the history OF Finland.
have been thrown out ard Russian
studies put In. There are growing Russian
church aggressions also. 90 these arriv-
ing Lutheran Firms say. and they profess
90 fear future methods more harsh than
those already realized
ittift TIC flO0lSn l4NtUf1U0 gains IN
Canada and America. There is n curious
development among Lutherans already
here. and who are not Firms. Language
rs at the bottom Of Il all II rises I'm the
general council. or local body I'm Il,
but II likelv 10 involve local body OF
the General synod Something more than
two years ago trouble arose over the To-
cation OF an English Lutheran work I'm
Brooklyn. and the matter got az far up
80 the sercral hodv IN the state OF New
York ~ has been stew'ng ever since
ill-feelinE beepiug n 80. The progressive
element OF the general council I'm the
east wants German abolished IN scrvices
and Rleo In tho church conferences.
THE element also ch" fes under tho con-
servative restraint Of German leadorshin
There ixists n most friendly feeling be-
tween this elemut and the same element
in the General Synod. Predictions are
general thatthe two English elements may
unite and form a new SYNOD. The Ger
man element Is hostile. and q good deal
OF unfriendiv controversy a. current The
matter a. not IN either general council or
SYNOD. for those bodies do not meet for
two years. There 10 90 he held IN phiia-
deinhla IN Anril next conference for
bringing Iuthcranism Into better con-
eer, and ~ NAV come up then. The Eng
giish Iutherans are extremely active. and
are now beeir~i~v 'o hold missionary con.
ferences IN al princl~al cities 20 continue
all naturalization Transcript.