New Britain herald., 1919-02-13
OUTBREAKS SEEKING
 A DEMOCRACY FUND
Purpose to Assist Millions in
 Europe Now Without Leader

Democra tization of the Lutheran Church of Europe along the lines of President Wilson's program for poll teal democracy is the main object ot the campaign for funds about to De ! started by the National Lutheran i Council.
 It is pointed out that on Continental ] Europe the entire Protestant Strensth Il | of o9 million is Lutheran, except TOT | about half a million. There are eoV- ! 900 Lutherans in France. Nlth 1hc 1 return of AlSace and Lorraine that l mum Der is increased to 300, 900. There are g. millions in Germany. In Fln- land there are three million. In the rest of Russia. 7,500,0Oo; in the Bal : kans 5OOO0O: in Hungary, 1,3oO,ooo
 Practically all these groups of Lu- therans before the war were organized : in state churches, While the Lutheran ] principle of church. government is i thoroughly democratic that each con- grcgation manages it's own affairs in dependent of outside interference and control, in Europe this principle never had opportunity to develop. The petty princelngs of the 18th century estab b. lished the rule that they control the religion of their subjects. In a large measure that rule continued to the present.
 Repeatedly in the past century the practical operation of this state-con- trol has reused serious opposition. Els 1 pecially was that the case when the House of Hohenzollern attempted to ] force the union of the Lutheran and 1 Reformed Confession. At that time a bitter controversy arose. Thousands emigrated to escape what they termed an unwonted tyranny of conscience. 1 Many settled in America. Before the | outbreak of the war there was a 1 strong undercurrent, hoping and working for the complete separation of church and state.
 The sudden end of the war has set | tied the question more quickly than l expected, and differently than anyone looked for. The autocratic states are swept away on the high tide of revo- | lution. The former state churches have their independence without a period of grace to become accustom ed to the new situation, and with chaos prevailing about them to make pre- carious situation desperate.
 Reports received in this country in dicate the difficulties under which the Lutheran Church of Europe is labor 1 ing. The different elements held to- gether before the war by the state are today desperately striving for control In sections the liberal wing is pro- | claiming a new religion based on pure ly social ideals. Tn few places i churches have been dedicated to the ] deif1cation of man and democracy. In i other sections the conservative ele- ment is trying to rally the scattered forces to work out an orderly con- | structive program.
 A number of appeals have come to the Lutherans of America to come and help because they have succeeded in esta blishing a vigorous church-life independent of state control.
 Preparations have already beer made to meet the call. Last fall the National Lutheran Council was or ganized for rcconstructive service al home and abroad. It represents
 100000 confirmed members Al
 bodies are represented in it except the synodical conference. From the de- velopment in Europe, the council soor l became convinced that it's big task is
 in Europe and that it faces the big gest problem and opportunity that has
 come to a church body in moderr times in the call to help democratize and re-establish, on a free basis, the Lutheran Church of Europe.
 Dr. F. H. Knubel, of New York
 president of the United Lutheran Church, believes the call to be provi
 dential. The church in this country
 has had a quiet history. By many i
 was considered provincial and limited in outlook and resources. As mat
 ter of fact, he believes it was onlA strengthening and developing its inde
 pendent church life and growing witt amazing rapidity. For years the Lutheran Church has been the fastes
 growing church body in America. TO
 day, he says, q world-call and a world
 mission is coming to the church. |
 holds the key to the worldsituation
 It's services are vital to the re-eStab l lishment of liberty with order. Anc 1 the Lutheran Church of America 1 ready for the task.
 | To have the necessary funds for tn |, work proposed the National Lutheran , Council is appealing to the Lutheral t constituency for a fund of half a mil
 lion dollars. A whirlwind campaign Is being organized in the differen states The dates of the campaign ar } February ] 6 to 26.