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

The receipt yesterday by members OF
the Independent Lutheran Church of an
ultimatum from the council OF Luther
Place Memorial Church. laying down the
terms under which the seeding men,
bers 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-
eli Of the parent church on or before
the second Tuesday in September. to
show cause why their names should not
be stricken frcFa the roll Of membership.
The letter sets forth that there are
many IN the new congregation who ought
70 return, and adds that all such will 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 l, 1909 ad since
that time have neither attended its
services. contributed to its 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
leges Of Luther Place Memorial Church
according to both civil and ecclesiastical
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 18th
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 will meet
in the parlors Of the Memorial Church the
last Tuesday Of August and the first two.
Tuesdays of September. at T.30 o'clock I'm
the evening 10 hear any who shall desire
TO show cause why such action should
not be taken. II there be those who desire
to return 10 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 will be given a private hearing
There are those who ought 70 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 70
build another church elsewhere I'm the
city, the council and the congregation of
the Memorial Church shall do nothing TO
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 Independents" maintain silence as
TO what they intend to do. While some
Of the members. it is understood. desire
to return 70 the older church, the leaders
in the ilsurgent movement intend 20
stand their ground and increase their
present membership rather than sanction
any backward stecs.
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 10 ask admission into the Maryland
synod OF the Lutheran Church should
the temporary organization be made per-
manent. Several synods. il is said. seek
90 have the new congregation affiliate
with them Some OF these synOds have
no affiliatiOn with the general synod Of
the Evangelical Lutheran Church