The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-09-10
MANY PROBLEMS
BEFORE SYNOD.
But Utmost Harmony Prevails in
All General Dis
cussion.
ADVANCING MISSION WORK
Message Brought From Japan,
Where Lutl1erans Garry the
Light.
ADVANCING MISSION WORK

Increased activity in mission work
in home and foreign fields, and the
first and most important step in the
direction of the unifcation of Ameri- I
can Lutheranism by the general adop-
ton OF a standard book Of worship by
the several groups into which the de-
nomination Is divided. formed the ba-
sis of the deliberations at the third
days session Of the twelfth biennial
convention of the United Synod If the
Evangelical Lutheran Church In the
South The convention will probably
be brought to close tonight, after
having been in session since Tuesday
The third and most successful confer
ence of the women's Missionary Socie-
ty of the United Synod was ended yes
terday morning.
Bringing with him message from
Japan. where for four and half years
| he has been engaged in mission WORK.
Rev. A. j. Stirewalt appeared before
the body and made a forcible appeal
for further evangelization in the ORR
emit Through the board Of foreign
missions the missionary is asking the
United synod for an appropriation OF
$4,000 with which to complete the
establishing Of mission school in ia
pan This constitutes one OF the I'M
portant matters which is to be hnallY
acted upon to-day. There Is little
question that the appropriation will be
made Success has attended the Japan
mission from it's inception, and 1t is
| the desire of the synod that the work
in this field shall be continued.
Harmony Prevails.
Harmony, in an unusual degree. has
! -, 49, rif
| all questions that have come before the
| body there has been a general agree
ment of opinion. This is not meant to
say that the convention has been at
| tended by any display Of apathy.
| Sharp and prolonged discussions have
| followed the introduction and preceded
| the adoption of many reports. For an
! hour and half yesterday afternoon
| spirited debate, in which pfacticaily
| every delegate participated. was In
| progress following the presentation OF
| the repor, by the committee on oooh
| of worship. But while there have oaen
| differences of opinion, there has oeen
| no conflict. Since the roll call at the
I onening session, the convention mas
| been free from radical issues such as
have arisen at similar ecclesiastical
/ councils.
The convention opened promptly at
| 9 O'Clock yesterday morning. ana, 1ol-
lowing the usual devotional service,
the report of the board of foreign mis-
| sions, showing the work carried on
during the past biennium 70 nave pea"
/ successful beyond precedent, was pre-
| sented. Various recommendations con-
/ tained in this report will be hnaily
i acted on to-day. when II is returned
II m the body proper after having neen
considered by the committee 10 Which
In was referred after it had been pre-
scented.
The report of the board OF foreign
missions was presented by pr' Foo
ert C. Holland, president, ana was re-
Il ferred to a committee for consideration
4 preparatory to being finally acted upon
i to-day. The board reported the IN
| CORPORATION of the mission in Japan
4 dwelling particularly on the work
which ia being carried on in that coun-
try.
Il To Help Japan Missions.
The board recommended that It's &C
4 tion as presented in the report be ap-
proved by the synod; that the cnai.e1
Of the board and that OF the MISSION
in Japan be accepted; that the sum U
Il sis. 900 annually be apportioned among
4 the different synods as the declared
minimum amount needed during the
: ensuing biennium to meet the current
EXPENSES of the mission, apart from the
: buildings which should or may be
;. erected, that the Epiphany seas n pc
. recognized in all Lutheran consrega-
tions; that April Japan Day be oesls-
mated as the season for special otes-
, lngs for the Japan missions In the sun,
day schools; that the United Synoo
!, recognize in the Mission League a val
.. liable agency TO supplant the small ap-
! portionment. also commend and indorsa
; it. and that the syno durge prompt re-
sponse TO the call which comes from
japan for an additional $4,000. in or
: der TO place the mission school In Kun
emtto upon an adequate working basis.
The report will be considered by item,
: but it seems probable that 1t VIII be
{ adonted in its entirety, with no changes
: being made.
For Lutheran School.
The cause OF missions, both home
:; ana foreign, is before the present con-
: yention with the strongest appeal IN
: lthe history of the church in the South.
! -Four years ago, at Dallas. Texas. the
United synod appropriated $4,000 for
! the establishing in Japan of Lutheran
3 school of the grade which corresponds
II the middle school of the Japanese
government system, together with a
|.thao,opical department for the train
lIinr for the ministry of native stu
/ dents. Difficulties which could not
have been foreseen developed. and the
amount Of the original appropriation
! was found inadequate for the purpose
- ~ 7 y . j