Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1922-04-13
MISSOURI SYNOD
IS YEARS OLD
National Lutheran Body CeIe-
brates Diamond Jubilee With
Special Services Through
out Country.
BEGAN WITH IL CHURCHES
Now Does Extensive Mission Work at
Home and Abroad-Charity Car
ried on in Many lnsti-
tutions.

On April 26 the Evangelical-Luthe
an Synod Of Missouri, Ohio and other
states, commonly called the Missouri
Synod, will be seventy-five years old
This event will be duly observed by
Lutherans throughout the country, as
the above named Synod Is represented
In practically every state of the
Union, with branches in Canada, South
America and other foreign countries
Special jubilee services are to be held
In all the churches and joint mass
meetings in the larger cities. It is
hoped that large sum of money will
be raised as a thank offering, to be ap-
piled to the building Of churches and
chapels in Europe and China, where
energetic mission work is being car
ried on.
In 1847 a mere handful of men met
In Chicago for the purpose Of bringing
the conservative Lutheran churches
in the Central States into closer affilia-
ton. Twelve congregations were rep
resented by their pastors and lay dele
gates, and these, together with a few
other pastors who joined as advisory
members, organized what was destined
to become the largest individual Lu-
theran Synod now extant, numbering
at present about $500 congregations,
with nearly 5000 pastors, over $4,000
communicate members, and baptized
membership of more than 100000.
owned by member congregations Is
approximately $55,OOO,OOO, and the va
rious educational institutions of synod
represent an additional investment of
$10,0O0,0OO
The conservative doctrinal position
of the original twelve congregations
has been maintained throughout all
these years. Synod stands four
square upon the Scriptures as the in
fallible word Of God, the only source
Of articles Of faith and sole rule of
conduct. Accordingly questions Of
doctrine and practice are decided, not
by considerations OF eXpediency, but
by the clear words of the Bible Many
people are rather amazed that synod
has had such a remarkable growth,
notwithstanding this conservative po-
sition, while it's friends and members
4,,I ;,, tho Cnaraf
of its growth.
Intense missionary activity unques-
tionably is largely responsible for the
continued numerical progress Of the
organization. At the present time $50
pastors are engaged in this work.
serving 1850 missions. Foreign mis-
sions are conducted in India and Chi
ma England, Brazil, Argentine, France,
Germany and other countries.
Another factor contributing to the
growth Of synod is its parochial school
system. These schools are conducted
IN every way along the lines Of our
public schools, in many instances ar
ticulating with these, only in addition
to the secular curriculum they give
the children a thorough religious
training In some Of the larger cities
Lutheran high schools are also main
tanned. Twelve colleges and collegiate
Institutes with a student body Of near
ly 2,100 afford opportunities for higher
education. In two seminaries over
500 young men are preparing them
selves for the ministry. Concordia
Seminary at st. Louis, operated by
synod, is probably the largest institu-
ton of it's kind in America, among
the Protestant bodies at any rate
Extensive Charity Work
The Missouri Synod has always laid
special emphasis on the cardinal doc
trine OF the Scriptures that man is
saved by grace alone through faith.
At the same time, however, it always
stresses the point that saving faith
most naturally will be active in CORE
spending works of charity after the
manner of the Master Accordingly
provision is made for the care of the
sick and the helpless and the needy.
Fifteen hospitals and two sanitaria
are located in larger centers of popu-
laton, having property value of $4,-
O87,0OO and giving treatment to some
$4,000 patients annually, much Of
which is charity pure and simple.
Nine orphanages, valued at $3.50, 000,
shelter $50 children. Thirteen home
finding societies gather up some 200
waits a year and place them in Chris
tan homes for adoption. Two train
ing schools for neglected children,
school for deaf-mutes, home and
school for epileptics, are other insti-
tutions of mercy conducted for the
benefit of poor and afflicted children.
Nine homes for the aged provide hos
pitable shelter for nearly 400 helpless
old people, and Ave hospices or homes,
chiefly for working girls, are conduct
ed, besides hospices for transients IN
every large city. The disbursements
for all organized charitable purposes
during the past year were 81 ,54S,718.