The Washington herald., 1909-08-19
CHURCH DISPUTE
TAKES new TURN
Independent LutheranS Re-
celVe an Ultimatum.
PARENT BODY SEEKS REUNION
Members of the Congregation that
Seeded from Luther Place Me-
mortal Church Given Opportunity
TO Return to Fold-LeaderS OF the
New Body Remain Silent.

The receipt yesterday by members OF
the Independent Lutheran Church OF an
ultmatum from the council OF Luther
Place Memorial Church. laying down the
terms under which the seeding mem
Oers Of the older church may return TO
the fold, has given a new turn TO a con-
troversy already bitterly waged both
ways
| The letter is signed by w. J. Showal-
\ ter, secretary Of Luther Memorial coun-
/ Gil, and cites the members Of the dis
senting body to appear before the coun-
/ Ell Of the parent church on or before
/ the second Tuesday in September. 10
show cause why their names should not
be stricken frca the roll Of membership.
The letter sets forth that there are
many IN the new congregation who ought
20 return, and adds that all such viii be
welcomed back provided they return in
the right spirit
Rights Are Violated.
/ The opening paragraph Of the notice
relates that as the members of the in
/ dependent organization left the Memo
rial Church on February I, 1909. ad since
that time have neither attended SIS
/ services. contributed 70 It's support or
acknowledged its discipline. but on the
contrary, have organized an independent
/ congregation, they have thereby placed
themselves outside Of any rights or priv
heges Of Luther Place Memorial Church
/ according to both civil and ecclesiasticaI
law.
This notice is addressed TO heads OF
families and. each copy Is made to in
clude the members Of a family. their
names being written in. The invitation
to return is also made to include 9th
ers not here specified. but included in the
resolution"
The notice concludes as follows.
you viii kindly take notice OF the
above resolutions. The council rill meet
IN the parlors of the Memorial Church the
last Tuesday Of August and the first two.
Tuesdays Of September. at T.3O o'clock In
the evening TO hear any who shall desire
10 show cause why such action should
not be taken. II there be those who desire
70 return TO the Memorial Church the
council will be glad TO take that matter
UP with them individually on the above
dates. Each person appearing before the
council VIII be given private hearing
There are those who ought 10 return TO
the church. and they will find a spirit OF
conciliation should they return in like
spirit. The action Of the council is not
intended 10 be harsh or unjust. but is
made necessary I'm order that the rolls of
the church shall disclose a true list Of
its present membership. II II be the de-
sire Of those who have Withdrawn To
build another church elsewhere I'm the
city the council and the congregation of
the Memorial Church shall do nothing 10
hinder them; rather they would do what
they can, in the furtherance of such an
effort.
And may God add his blessing"
Independents Maintain silence.
The independently maintain silence as
70 what they intend to do. While some
Of the members. it is understood. desire
20 return TO the older church. the leaders
in the iasurgent movement intend 20
stand their ground and increase their /
present membership rather than sanction
any backward steps.
In the new constitution. which will
come up for consideration AT the first
annual meeting OF the independents" in .
October the body is styled the Inde-
pendent Lutheran Congregation. It was
stated yesterday the members DO not in /
tend TO ask admission into the Maryland
synod of the Lutheran Church should
the temporary organization be made per
manent. Several synods. it IS said seek /
10 have the new congregation affiliate |
with them. Some of these synOds have
no affihation with the general synod Of
the Evangelical Lutheran Church.