The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-06-10
The Religious Rambler

tion of soldiers who leave their congre-
cation. Each should be presented with
a pocket new Testament, and with
letter Of commendation from the home
pastor to the chaplain. Provision should
be made for an abundant supply of
reading matter to the Individual sold
Ter, while churches and pastors in the
vicinity of army camps ar expected 10
do special work for the enlisted men.
incidentally. vigorous campaign is to
be made to reach the "unchurched Luth.
erans' who have moved to cities but
have nott united with the adjacent
church.
Laymen Lead In Union.
The proposals for the pending reun.
ion Of Lutheranism came mostly def.
nitely from a little conference of lay.
men, in which e. Clarence Miller was
the moving spirit. A definite plan for
amalgamation Of the three denomina-
tions was formulated, and all the Diff
ficulties in the way canvassed. Other
denominations have had sufficient ex-
perience in this matter which is avail
able for such committee as that oe
Mr.. Miller's. Then, on April IS, this
proposal was presented to the joint
committee of the three Lutheran bodies:
"The unanimous opinion was that
there were no q cd and sufficient reas-
ons why the three general bodies, the
General Synod, the General Council,
and the United Synod South. should
not unite and form one general organ.
ization. These hodies have been work
ing together on important matters and
have the same confessional basis. In
addition there are many practical rea
sons why it should be comparatively
easy for these bodies to merge and
conduct their various activities as one
organization.
"As soon as these three bodies have
agreed upon a basis of unification and
have acted upon it. an invitation is tc
be extended to other branches of the
Lutheran church to unite with the or
ganization."
It is pointed out that this all bofel
on the three hundred and sixty-nintl
anniversary Of Luthers stand at tn,
Diet Of Worms.
Everybody For lit.
Then things began to happen witt
bewilderlng rapidity. The proposal has
called upon the various boards to NEE
and formulate ways of union. Here l.
often the hub Of church-union projects
because it involves the abolition Of ot
flces and the loss of positions by va
rious influential men. The Lutherans
however, have already had meeting
of their boards-home missions, churcl
extension, foreign missions, the boar
OF publication and the inner mission
boards which are the social service arm
of the denomination. Every one o
these reported that there is no insupei
able obstacle in the way of union. an
that the work should go right forward
Under this full head Of sail the pre-
ject has advanced 20 the drafting Of
constitution, and the committee me
two or three days ago TO formulate
constitution for the united church
which shall be reported to the annua
meetings OF the denomination.
Inevitably, other Lutheran bodies wi
follow so it looks now as If the qua
dricentennial will be best celebrate
by union Of all the people who bea
the name Of Luther. and in the spiri
OF the great reformer. This great col
summation is certain 20 stir interes
and enthusiasm in the breasts Of a
churchmen in the country.