Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-11-14
EVANGELISM IN
LUTHERAN CHURCH
Debated at Today's Meeting of
the Philadelphia Confer
ence, Held Here.

Statements picturing the Lutheran
Church as q body lacking an evangel-
istic spirit and the personal religious
appeal because it Is afraid that il
will be placed in the Billy Sunday
class and ridiculed by its leaders. pro-
volSed considerable argument on the
question of evangelism at this morn,
ing's session of the Philadelphia Con-
ference. Evangelical Lutheran Synod
of East Pennsylvania, meeting in Holy
Trinity Lutheran Church. Madison
and Twenty-third streets.
Some Lutheran clergymen are afraid
to practice evangelism In the way
Christ practiced il, because they may
be denounced as un-Lutheran, Rev.
w. X. Fleck of New Jersey said in
paper on Evangelism in the Sunday
Service" which he read. "The reason
the church of today Is losing hold on
the people," he added, zig because the
services are spiritually cold and for
NAL. The ministers insist on what
they call proper decorum in the
church. They object to spiritual sing
ing being led by Christian laymen and
insist on certain hymns. not allowing
the od-fashioned Christian songs
which enthuse the church member, to
be sung"
The Rev. u. Upton Bair quoted a
statement made at one time by an
agnostic who said that he would like
to be a Christian and would be IL It
were not for Christians. Another
person said that before the church can
cvangelize the world II must evangel-
ize itself" he continued. Evangelism
is essential and most necessary at the
present time. The clergy must make
the personal appeal and cease stand
ing aloof of those in the gutter. The
Christ talked Christianity 70 Nicode-
mus. q leader, and even went out OF
his way to talk 10 the despised woman
at the We'll
'Iie talked TO the lepers the UNI
clean and Cleansed their souls"
In defense OF the practices Of the
Lutheran Church several of the mem-
bers Of the conference arose and
argued that the Lutheran Church
| does have an cvangelizing spirit. but
! does not herald II with a fare of
! trumpets. we are doing IL in n quiet
and unobtrusive way" they said Other
members of the clergy characterized
| some of the popular church songs as
mere Jazz emanating from some Of
the Sunday schools of the country.
Lenten time as the best time to
/ begin evangelstic work because at
| this period the very atmosphere is
| permeated with religion" was spoken
Of by DR. BAR. Other papers on
Evangelism were also read.
The conference passed a resolution
indorsinE a move on foot in the synod
proper TO change the time of meeting
of the synod from the fall 10 the
spring or summer months. Propon
ents for this motion said that a change
in the time of meeting would allow the
ministers to devote the fall TO their
church work uninterrupted by nu-
merous conventions and synodica
meetings.
when n minister returns to his
church refreshed by his summer va
cation he should be allowed TO pro.
coed in his work with his congrega
ton uninterrupted and unhampereC
by conventions" several declared.
Rev. NJ. G. Richard of East Lans-
downe. Pa. was elected president; Rev
Paul S. Wagner, of Philadelphia, sec
rotary; Rev. w. s. Hinman, OF Essing-
ton, Pa, treasurer. at the opening SEES
sion yesterday afternoon.
committee on excuses and absen-
tees was appointed as follows; Rev
J. W. Gentzler. of Trenton, y. J.; Rev
7. B. Thomas. Bristol. Pa, and r. Z
Simmons. The resolutions commit.
tee comprises Rev. c. w. Diehl. O.
Trenton. n. J.; Rev. r. r. Haus, OF
Elmer. y. J.. and c. Z. Trebbins.