Saturday news. (Watertown, S.D.) 19??-19??, 1919-02-13
IU1HERANS TO
RAISE HALF A
MILLION FUND
Will Launch Campaign of Ten
Days, Feb. 1926, for Money
to Join in the Rehabilitation
Work Undertaken by the Pro-
testant Churches.

characterization of the Lutheran
church of Europe along the lines Of
President Wilson'S program for uoliJi
cal democracy is the main object Of
the campaign inaugurated by the Luth.
Grams in which they expect 10. raise
$500, 900 for reconstruction work. The
campaign opens Sunday and extends
over a tsn-aay period and is under tbs
direction of the National Lutheran
Council.
1t, is pointed out that on Continen-
tai Europe, the entire Protestant
strength of 50 million is Lutheran eX-
p for about half q million. There
are 50. 900 Lutherans in France. With
the return of Alsace and Lorraine that
number is increased TO 100000. There
are 81 million in Germany. In Finland
there are 8 million. In the rest OF
Russia. 900. 000: in the Balkans. 500.
600: in Hungary. 1900. eco,
Practically all these groups of LII
tlierans before the war were organized
in state churches. While the Luther.
an principle Of church-goyernment il
thoroughly democratic that each con
gz,egation manages its own affairs in.
dependent of outside interference ans
control. ia Europe this principle never
had opportunity 10 develop. The petty
prIncelings of The 18th century estab-
lshed me rule that they control the re
iigf5n OF their subjects. In a large
measure that rule continued 10 the
present
Repeatedly in the past century, tho
practical operation Of this s,ai.-eon.
frol has reused serious opposition. Es.
p~ecially was thar the case when the
House of ffoiienzolleFn attempted tc
force ;lse union Of the Lutherans and
Reformed Confession At that time
u bitter controversy arose Thousands
emigrated to escape what they termed
an unwoEtei tyranny Of conscience.
Many settled in America Before the
outbreak Of the nar there was Il strong
u-ndercurrent, hoping and working for
the complete separation Of church and
state.
A1aGNSLLLf e35N vi slt- VAT has SCI
tied the question quicker than expected
and differently than anyone looked Tor.
The autocratic states are swept away
on the high tide OF revolution. The
former state-cllurehes have their indie
peslder1ce without q period Of grace &c
become accustomed TO the new situa
ton. and with chaos prevailing above
them 70 make a precarious situation
desperate.
Reports received in this counsry in.
fis.ate the difficulties under which the
Lutheran Church Of Europe Is labor
lnEs Tfse different Elements held To-
gefher before the war by the state. are
today desperately ssr4Ding se= controI
In sections tho liberal wing lis n,o
claiming q new religion based on
purely social Ideals. In a few places
cflureiaes have been dedicated to the
deisieatiof1 of man and democracy. In
other sections the conservative Gle.
Inent IL trying to rally the scattered
forcea 70 work Il an orderly cong,rne.
tive program.
"a upptx1ts nave come &c
the Laafflerars Of america to come and
shea, bsesBse they have succeeded in
establishing a vigorous church.ife
independent OF state control.
Preparations have already been made
30 meet the cali Last fan the Nation
ct Lutheran Council was organized for
reccnsfr1iefiye service At home and
abroad ~ represents 1900. 900 eon.
firfned r1enabers. All bodies are ret,se.
sefted Id II except the synodlcai con.
Terence. From The de-yelopu,ent Is
EarOiss the Council soon became CON.
WINGED that It's Biz las. is Ia E,rore
ana That Y faces tne biggest problem
ana opportunity that has come 10
church body IN modern iirnes. In III
call to help democratize and r-aeasah,,sp,
orl 4 free basis, the Lutheran Church II
Europe.
Pr r II. Knu,ei, of New York. pre-
sidefit of the United Lutheran ch,.rc1
speldeves the call to be- p-royfdents.,
The church N this country has had I
4uiet history by many Ii was ~,
asidered provincial and limited " t,,,t
n and resources AZ 4 ,nasta. 81
S ss ne believes ii was only strese,h
Ts,ing and developing its indcts,de,,f
aslasirchsh ne md growing WITH a,nazino
zalplditysssaF years Inc Ltfhera,,
church has been The fastest xrowiny
aHlssrchs body N Annerica. :odav III
ssass:. q sFoKld.all andsa world tnisaian q
#Eofnfndr " NIX nk ....s s4 = ~