Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1912-06-05

Capital Punishment Discussed. Unsni-
NOUS Tor Church Union. stand BY
Park RNRiou,


Park Region.
The Synod convention last Saturday
morning was devoted to a discussion Of
the commandment, "Thou shalt not kill"
The subject was opened by an able pa
per by Rev. D. c. fJordahl of Norway
Lake. The discussion, which was an
interesting one, was based on seven
points designated in Rev. Jordahl's ad-
dress.
LIST. In this commandment the Lord
aims to protect human life.
End. With the word kill" is under
stood not only what may destroy the
life of neighbor or injure him or de-
tract from his welfare, but also every
thing that would indirectly cause him
such damage
by the outward demeanor, by words and
by action.
4th. The crime of murder IS consid-
cred with regard to the condition Of the
mind of the party guilty of the same
also in regard to the method by which
it is committed, and also in regard tc
the person or persons on whom it is
committed.
9Th. Suicide, while not sin directly
committed against ones neighbor, new.
ertheless is forbidden in this command.
ment. This crime may also be consid.
cred with respect to the mental condi'
ton of the party guilty of the same.
9Th. The commandment does not ap.
ply to capital punishment by duly con
stituted authorities, neltner when com
| mll.ed in personal self defense.
9TH. This commandment applies tt
us ali to the end that we shall help pro
tect our neighbor and his interests. tt
do this we must apply the golden rule
| to love our neighpor as ourself, to speal
| well of him and to assist him in trou
| ble
The fourth point relating to capita
punishment especially led to an inter
esting discussion.
At the Saturday afternoon session tn.
| matter of union with the other church
bodies, especially the United Church
was taken up and discussed. A length,
! printed report was distributed, giving
the articles of faith as agreed upon by
| the committees representing the Synod
church, the United Lutheran church ant
the Hauge Synod. These deliberation.
were not concluded Saturday but an in
| formal ballot was taken to see how
the Synod stood on the proposition.
resulted 116 votes in favor of the union
6 against and IA not voting. This ques
| ton was again taken up on Monday at
| ternoon and Tuesday morning and it wa:
finally agreed unanimously to adopt thu
! report of the committees, thereby de-
! claring that there is virtual union il
| faith with the United Church. Should
! this action of the Minnesota district b
also taken at the meetings of the foul
| other districts Of the Synod there will
| be no need OF an extra session of thu
Synod this fall to discuss this matter
There is no immediate amalgamation O.
the two organizations in prospect bu
the first steps would be to remove al
conflict in home missions to prevent tn,
establishment of two or three churche!
in communities where one would be suf
ncient, and otherwise work 10 avoid con
f1ict and to common end.
| At Tuesday mornings session it wa:
decided to send missionary to worl
among the Norwegian people of Alas
fka.
The Tuesday, afternoon session wa
devoted to educational matters. Wheth
err the former action of the District Syn
cd in granting $4,000 annual aid to tn
Park Region Luther College at Fergus
Falls. which had not met with the un
qualified approval of the general synod
; should stand or not was the debated
; question. The opposition came from tn
outside from people who thought a sec
ond college would injure the institution
at DEBORAH. This fear was held ground
less, and this morning the meeting vot
ed unanimously to continue the aid t.
| the Fergus Falls College.