Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-06-08
German Church
Declares Loyalty
No Traitors in ST. Johns, Says
Bulletin Of Evangelical Lu-
theran Congregation.

Without apologizing by single word
for it's name, the st. Johns German
Evangelical Lutheran Church makes
clear declaration of loyalty to the
United States. and an explanation OF
the church's position in the May mum
Der of the church bulletin, Got,
Gruesze Dich." There is II strong
pacitist note in the statement along
with the pledge of loyalty. Rev. Oscar
Guthc is pastor of st. Johns Church
and editor of the bulletin. The state
mcnt follows:
This is prc-eminently the time for
loyalty and faithful service. not only
to your country. but also to your par
ents church There is a great deal OF
silly talk abroad concerning our church
among the uniformed. For the as
surance of those of our people who are
suffering under this deplorable condi-
ton of things we wish to make a few
plain statements.
Our church is an American church
with a Virginia charter. and our con-
ErcEation is a part of the American
people as true and loyal as any others.
The German Evangelical Synod holds
an honorable record for services rom
dered to this country from the early
days in the life of the American ma
ton and civilization until the present
day. SO has our own st. Joints Church
done its full and honorable share in
the upbuildng of Richmond since
1S43. throughout the most trying time
in the history Of the city. to the pres
ent day. our name. German Evan
cclical.' does no; mean, as every one
should know. that we are nationally a
German church. Just as little as Dutch
Reformed and English Lutheran
means that those churches are nation
ally Hollandish British churches.
Our name means that we are ecclesias-
tically affiliated with the great church
of the Reformation, the German Evan
Eelical Church, represented in this
country, among other synods. by the
German Evangelical synod of North
America.
Our church is and always has been,
an American church. OF its 200 COM
municants, among whom are some of
the most substantial and honorable
business men OF our city. at least 700
are native born Americans. many of
them OF the third and fourth genera
ton. The large majority of the others
have been law-abGinG citizens of the
United states. and some OF them heavy
taxpayers. for from twenty-five to
sixty years. As far as we know. there
are in the entire congregation only
three enemy aliens: that is, men who
We're born in Germany and have not
yet become citizens of the United
States. One of these three is the pastor
himself. who studied theology in Nc
Cormick Seminary. Chicago. from 1854
to 1887, preached the Gospel of the
Prince of Peace for thirty years in Il
number OF States. and has always been
TOO busy 10 think OF taking out his
naturalization papers.
There are no traitors in ST. Johns
German Evangelical Church. We be-
!icve In Christ, the advocate of peace
on earth and good will iowa ID men.
whose weapon is love, not hatred or
fear, and we pray daily that He may
make an end OF the unspeakable hor-
ror which is destroying the nations of
Europe That Is our right a s free men
and Christians, and Il does not hinder
Us TO he true and loyal Americans
None OF our young men need be afraid
or ashamed 10 be members OF their
fathers church"