Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1918-11-21
A GREAT LUTHERAN MEETING.

l0rk, when delegates IfOIH diilVSi cNSiy
State in the Union and from Canada
met together to participate in a merger
Of three great Lutheran bodies. After
the labor Of years, the final arrangements
had been made by which the General
Council. the General Synod and the
United Synod in the South were to be
merged into one organization, to be
known as the United Lutheran Church
in America.
The three bodies above named met in
New York first separately, and transact
ed such business as was necessary to
consummate the final details. Then on
Thursday they joined in the first united
meeting in Holy Trinity Church, whose
pastor is Rev. Chas. ]. Smith, D. D.,
son of the late Rev. Luther L. Smith,
d. D., of blessed memory in the Vir'
GINA Synod and former resident OF
Shepherdstown. Rev. Theodore e.
Schmauk was named as temporary
ident by the committee on arrangements.
and necessary preliminary business was
attended to. Thursday night COM
munion service was held, when an able
sermon was preached by the loved and
venerable Rev. DR.. Henry E. Jacobs, Of
Philadelphia, one Of the most prominent
and highly-regarded men in the Luther
an Church.
Friday morning the Synods, now
formally organized as the United Luz
theran Church in America, met in the
hall of the Engineers Societies Build
ing, where the business sessions were
held. Election of permanent officers
was the first order on the programme.
and after several ballots Rev. DR.. Fred
erick H. Knubel, of New York, of the
General Synod, was chosen as president,
Rev. DR.. Schmauk being a close second
for the honor Rev. DR.. M. G G. Scher-
er, of Charleston, S. c., president Of the
United Synod in the South, was elected
secretary, and Mr.. E. Clarence Miller,
of Philadelphia, prominent layman of
the General Council, was elected treas
urer. The honors were thus divided
among the three former bodies, and the
election was regarded as eminently
satisfactory. The salary of the presi
dent was fixed at $1,000 year and that
Of the secretary at $1,000 a year, and
they will devote all Of their time to the
duties of their Offices.
The United Synod of the South was
we'll represented at the meeting, many
distinguished ministers and laymen be-
ing present. The delegation represent
ing the Virginia Synod was comoosed Of
Rev. DR.. J. A. Huffard, Rev. DR.. J. A.
Morehead, Rev. DR.. ]. ]. Scherer, Jr.,
Rev. |. D. Woman, Rev. c. W. Cassell,
Rev. DR.. E. R. McCauley, H. L. Snyder,
j. A. Alexander, w. 7. Stauffer, N. |.
Kagey and Thos J. Cooper. The mem
bers of the joint committee on ways and
means representing the. United Synod
in the South were Rev. DR.. M. G. G.
Scherer, Rev. DR.. ]. A. Morehead, Rev.
A. R. Beck, DR.. c. A. Freed and Hon.
c. M. Efird. H. L. Snyder, Of Shep-
herdStown, was elected a member of
the committee on church papers and OF
the Board Of Jewish Missions.
One of the most interesting sessions
Of the united body was held Friday night
in the grand auditorium Of the Hotel
Astor. Preceded by the officers and
church dignitaries, the 500 or more dele
gates marched in solemn procession.
synod by synod, into the magnificent
chamber, where in all about 1000 per
sons had gathered to enjoy the service.
Addresses were delivered by Rev. DR..
Victor G. A. Tressler, Rev. DR.. M. 9. G.
Scherer and Rev. DR.. T. E. Schmauk,
the three retiring presidents OF their
respective bodies, and by Rev. DR.. Fred
erick H. Knubel, the new president. A
splendid musical programme was render
ed, including several solos by Paul Att
house, of the Metropolitan Opera Com
pany, and a combined choir Of excellent
singers.
The final session was held on Mon
day, the convention adjourning at 3
o'clock after electing the several boards
which will be in charge of the church
activities. The time and place for the
next meeting was left to the executive
board.
This great convention, which meant
such an important change in church
management, was a really remarkable
event in religious affairs. North, South
East and West have been brought to-
gether in one harmonious body, and the
change was effected with practically no
friction or disagreement. Every interest
was cared for and every section was
given a square deal. No favoritiSm
was shown, and the good judgment OF
the joint ways and means committee,
the wisdom of the newly-elected officers
and the consideration Of the delegates
has resulted in the formation of power
full religious organization which will
WELD a tremendous influence in the
United States. That this influence is
recognized by the government was evil
denced by the presence Of represent
alive OF the War Department, who be-
spoke the cooperation Of the Lutheran
Church in solving the problems and
facing the dangers that will try this
country when our armies shall be
brought back from Europe. The con-
yention by a unanimous vote pledged