Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1917-06-20
LUTHERAN BODIES UNITE
THE DREAM OF NEAR HALF A
CENTURY IS REALIZED
Norwegian Lutheran Church of Am
erica is Name of the NewOrgani-
misunderstanding 5000, goo

W TN the clUSlnS OF the union con-
vention of the Norwegian Lutheran
churches at St. Paul last Friday night,
there was written into American his
tory one of its most important reli-
gious events. A people of one nation
atty, of one purpose and one faith,
! long held apart by minor theological
differences but ever striving toward
reunion for the past half-century, fin
ally achieves its high purpose-and
the cause or brotherhood and Christ
is UNNECESSARILY advanced.
The detail work of the great ANAL
gamation was threshed out in sepa-
rate conventions during the first three
days. The United church found upon
inventory that its property totaled
s., 300, 600, the Synod 81 800, 900, the
Hauges 100000. Debts of the United
church amounted to $S04 900, but a
"Jubel" fund had been raised with
such loyalty that balance of $40, 900
left. The Synod lacked 100000 and
the HauPc's $4,000 of balancing their
accounts, and we're given until Octo-
Der 81. To raise the same.
As in all ''getting-together" move
ments of religious bodies, differences
of creed was the main obstacle Nine
years ago committee of professors
took up the task of formulating an
acceptable union creed. They failed
utterly. Then il was delegated to a
body of ministers who presented the
creed at this meeting. Almost like a
visitation from the Almighty was the
dramatic incident in one of the con-
yentions Friday afternoon when ac-
ceptance of the creed was about TO be
debated A speaker arose and pro-
tested against il, saying that nothing
in the scriptures justified the union.
Immediately he was felled 10 the floor
by an apople cite stroke and died the
next morning as the three bodies unit
ed. So profound was the effect over
the meeting that the creed was ac-
copied without a dissenting vote.
Saturday morning, while all traffic
stood aside, the three factions march
ed eight abreast from the St. Paul ar
mory to the auditorium, headed by
the Hauge's with Governor NOrbac k
of South Dakota, carrying the flag:
the Synod following, Banker Berg, one
of the older members of that society
as flag bearer: the United last, Ex-
Senator Nelson of Iowa, bearing the
stars and stripes. A crowd of more
than 1000 packed the building to Wit
ness the creating of the new organi-
cation. Amid the greatest enthusiasm
the Norwegian LutheranChurch ofAm-
erica sprang into being. DR.. Stub. form
err ST. Paul bishop Of the Synod
church, was elected president. Vice
president is Prof. j. \ Kellogg, form
erly theological professor of the Chit
ed Rev Lohre of the Hauge's church
was selected as secretary. Mr.. Wade
! land, for many years treasurer Of the
United church, will fill that Office in
| the new union
A great patriotic demonstration
| took place when Rev Stern of United
church of Milwaukee introduced a
resolution TO stand by the President
/ and hold up his hands In the great
/ crisis of our nation. Ii was adopted
| by a rising vote. Last year a few
! German sympathizers engineered a
resolution through without debate or
! thorough consideration which CRITICS
| ed the government attitude, and SO
vigorous action to show the real at
! titude of the church was therefore
taken this year. Many distinguished
men we're present and addressed the
convention, among them being the
| governors of Minnesota and South
Dakota, and the mayor of St.Paul.
Some idea of the magnitude of the
united church may be had when we
consider that about 5000, COO souls COM
prise the union, and that the estimat-
| ed expense of administering the great
| body's mission, educational and mis-
cellaneous projects for the ensuing
wear is placed at one-half million dol.
lars Large as it is, it is great saw
| ing over the old wasteful arrangement
where each church maintained sepa'
rate organizations. Now both home
and foreign missions, seminaries and
all the philanthropies of the churches
are combined under one head elimin-
ating overhead expense as far as pos.
sible. '6reatly increased efficiency
| will result.
| An offering for missions was taken.
at which one man gave $1,000 A con-
cert by one thousand singers was Civ
en- one evening, proceeds being So, 600,
Balance left after paying expenses
was donated to the Red Cross.
On Tuesday, following perfection OF
the main organization, the United
| States was divided into nine districts
and delegates from each district went
| into separate session to organize and
elect officers. Wisconsin is n the
east district, (which includes all the
states east of the Mississippi river.
Rev. ]. Norby, who was formerly
| bishop of Synod east district, WIS elec.
ted president. One of Hauge's very
able men, Rev. Huntsville of Chicago
| is vice-president. Secretary is Rev
L. Larson of the Synod church.
Following delegates were present
, from Vernon county nited church
/ Viroqua, Rev. Eofstead, Chris Ellef,
son: Franklin, Rev Finstad, Torger
Berg: Coon Valley, Rev. Sovde, Rev
! RoaIkT am; Lower Coon Valley, Tor
: ger Olson: Central Coon Valley,
Westby, Rev. Rondest.
vedt, Synod:Viroqua
! Rev. Smeby, Knute Emerson; Westby
/ Bishop Halvorson, Hon. A. Fl. Dahl
Coon Prairie, Edward Theige. Hauges
/ Franklin, Hans Fortney. AT the con-
vention United church had about 145(
ministers and delegates, Synod 740
Hauges $50. In addition to this
nearly every church in the nation wa;
/ represented by laymen not designated
as delegates.
As to the result of this great move.
ment, many people entertain a wrong
opinion. No radical changes in a 10,
/ cal way are planned. Such a move i,
/ impractical. The. real uniting of the
different congregations viii be a slow
process Through a closer commingl
/ ing together because of being under
one head, one name and one creed
and the spirit of brotherhood and gooC
=