The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1922-09-08
Lutheran Church Body Formed
IS Years Ago by II
Congregations.
STRUGGLES AND GROWTH
Missouri Synod Maintains Week Day
Parish School System Of 1910
Schools With 5000 Children
and 1889 Teachers.

and a dozen lay delegates met In Chi
cago, then a town Of 10000 inhabitants,
sQuattlng on the frontier. That group
organized the Evangelical Lutheran
Synod Of Missouri, Ohio and other
states. Today. after 70 years of con-
sistent adherence to the principles of
conservative Lutheranism. Missouri
Synod, as il has become Familiarity
known, numbers over million souls,
including $500 pastors with congrega-
tions all over the Union, in Canada,
Brazil, Argentina and England
The real beginning of Missoul ante
dated this historic event in Chicago
The scene is laid in Dresden, the
capital Of Saxonia. where was located
the parish Of Pastor Martin stephan a
staunch exponent Of confessional Iluth-
eranism, and an equally staunch op-
ponent Of the governmental Church
Union of the Lutheran and Reformed
denominations His fearless stand for
the Lutheranism Of Luther had won
the hearts of many lke-lninded men.
II also brought him into serious con-
fllct with the government, resulting In
virtual persecution. In 1886 an en-
igration was decided upon as the only
means Of escape. In the Fall of 1898
this emigration was actually begun.
An Emigration Society was organ
tied, common treasury established
and FIVE ships for New Orleans were
chartered. There had been some talk
about settling in Australia, but Amer
Tea was finally chosen. At Bremen
five sailing vessels received the Pilgrim
party, numbering approximately $50
men, women and children. One Of
these ships, the Amalia, was lost at
sea The other four after stormy
passage, arrived at New Orleans dur
ing December, 1888, and January, 1889.
Proceeding up the Mississippi these
weary pilgrims landed at st. Louis. A
number Of them remained there but
the major portion. after but a few
months. settled 112 miles south Of st.
Louis, in Perry County. where they
had purchased 4,440 acres of land.
Early Struggles
The first experience in their new
home was to be one Of bitter disilu-
sionment, but withal. blessing in dis
guise In a strange land. confronted
with the hardships and the difficulties
Of prmeval forest and frontier life,
Stephan. their near idolized leader. was
exposed as a dishonest character, and
remaining impenitent in spite Of re
monstrance and admonition, was de
posed and banished from the colony.
II was a time If intense struggle, both
for physical maintenance and for
spiritual stability. from which the set
tiers emerged all the more firmly
grounded In faith
Almost spontaneously, Pastor c.
P. w. Walther, one Of the younger
immigrant pastors, rose to lead
ership. His spiritual gifts, as well
as his executive genius were Of com
handing order, meeting every emer-
gency as ii arose The German
periodical Der Lutheraner," became
the clarion If conservative and con
structiye Lutheranism. the instrument
which rallied a host Of Lutherans
scattered over the states. and lead 10
the founding of the synod of Missouri,
Ohio, and other states. al Chicago, in
1871
Growth
Missouri has had a marvellous
growth in the seventy-fve years OF its
existence It has grown in spite Of
evil prophesy of early destruction on
account Of It's conservatism. And So
Missouri" very naturally rejoices on
the occasion of its seventy-hfth an
niversary. II finds pleasure in its
numerical strength And yet, mis-
souri," would be misunderstood If mum
bers only were considered the cause
Of It's Joy Jealous for the saliva
ton # man" Missouri" has always
stood for the glory of Cod In this
light only Is Missouri" its work and
growth properly understo ID. And this.
the consistent attitude both for the
glory Of G d and for the salvation
Of man" Missouri" counts It's chief
cause for joy
Present Status
Missouri" al present is made up
Of % District Synods. representing, &C
cording 10 the statistics Of 1920, over
million souls more than three
thousand congregations, and more than
four thousand pulpits II maintains
the only formidable Protestant. week
dav parish school system. numbering
1910 organized parish schools, at
tended by over 1900 children, and
taught by over 1900 trained parish
school teachers and $50 pastors. The
synod owns and controls Il Colleges
and Seminaries. with al professors. &c
assistants. and total enrolment OF
2O42 students There are five pr
vately owned hish schools. with A.
teachers. and CO. enrolled students
Home Mission work Is carried on al
1864 stations. Synod maintains also
Missions among the Jews. Indians For
Elm Tongue Imm grants. Deaf Mures
and. very extensively. among ths
Negroes. Foreign Mission work is con
Quoted In Brazil Mexico Argentina
China East India Alsace and throus
r called Free Churches In German.
Australia. and New Zealand