The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-09-02
Bv w n Ellis,.

church Of America
Divided for fifty years. three import.
ant branches of the church are row
speeding toward merger which will
unite nearly 10000 900 communicdnt
members into one body
Although the trend of the church for
ten years has been toward tns union,
il is the quadricentennial of the reform.
alton which, happily and appropriately.
is bringing it to pass, United to honor
Luther the church is endeayoring to
cement the bond permanently
OF the three divisions involved in the
merger, the general synod has already
ratified a constitution drafted for the
proposed church. The general council,
which is now on record in favor of the
proposal through the action Of an i'm.
portant committee. will likely follow
with its official endorsement at a meet
ing in Philadelphia in October. The
United Synod of the South has called
a special meeting in November at Sails
bury, S c., for the presentation OF the
plan.
BY November 1918, less than two
years from the beginning of the rlCve.
ment toward union, leaders expect that
the United Lutheran Church Of America
will be a reality.
There is dramatic interest in the frs,
steps toward this merger. a chapter IN
church history with the narrative of o
story book.
Luther Celebration Unites Leaders.
To arrange for the observance of thc
anniversary, the three Lutheran bodies
appointed Joint Lutheran committee
for the celebration of the quadricen.
teruial of the reformation" The ceie.
tration is taking place this year, the
anniversary being dated from October
81 1917, when Luther nailed his famous
uinetyhve themes on the door Of the
church at Wittenberg Presidents of
the three divisions Of the church lead
ing clergymen and laymen We're named
ON this committee.
The leaven OF union, planted in this
committee by common desire 10 honor
the birth Of their church, worked mar
yels. Members Of the committee began
wondering why the church had ever
separated. and why it should remain
separated The differences in forms of
worship which had split the denomina.
tion a half century ago seemed insig-
nihcant in the light Of Luthers strug,
giles in the early days of the reforma-
tion.
The climax, sudden and yet merely
a step in a gradual evolution. came
at a meeting OF this committee in Phil
adelphia last April IS. Called together
TO discuss the celebration, the commit
tee gave the entire day to a considera-
tion OF the possibilities of uniting the
church. Clergymen and laymen were
unanimous in support Of the plen.
Although lacking the official power
TO consummate the merger. the com
mittee could at least act authoritative.
ly. AT the meeting were the presidents
Of the three bodies which were TO be
united The clerical leaders and promi-
rent laymen were urging the PROPOSE
tion. The result was resolution re-
questing the three presidents TO name
a committee 10 draw up a constitution
for the United Lutheran church Of Am
erica
IL is "a coiucident that the memorable
Of
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