New Britain herald., 1924-10-22
OUTBREAKS URGED
 ID MEASURE UP
pr. Knubel Addresses Remarks
 to l,SOO,OOO Members

Lutheran church In America, which has about 1,S00,000 members in the United States and Canada. was urged today by it's president, the Rev, Dr. r, H, Knubel, 10 endeavor to measure up more fully to the needs of the times in its education- al and mcreiful undertakings. President knubel expressed the hope that, as one important step in that direction the church would ap- prove of the proposal to be submit ted to it providing for the appoint ment of special commission on theological education.
 His comments and suggestions were made in the course of his re- port to the biennial convention of the church with 500 delegates in session here. After asserting that the progress of the church on evan gelistic and missionary lines was satisfactory. and disavowing any in- tent to criticize the work Of the church's educational and missionary agencies. President Knubel con- tnued.
 "We all need to recognize that, from any true educational point of view, confusion exists in most of our congregations and that the bare beginnings of merciful work are to be seen in them. We are far from measuring up to the responsibilities of the church and the need of the times. We must call upon all our educational and merciful agencies for an even more thoroughgoing study of the problems and practi- cal plans for advance"
 President Knubel suggested that conferences of educational and benevolent leaders be held and asked the convention to approve the pro- posed resolution calling for the ap- pointment of a special commission on theological education. He said that this proposal might lead to bet ter theological training for Luther an educators.
 Congratulating the church upon it's freedom from "the baneful in- fluence of ecclesiastical politics" Dr. Knubel warned the convention to be on guard against the extreme of traditionahsm and radicalism when changes were proposed.
 In contrast with his suggestions for strengthening the church, Dr. Knubel called attention 10 the many advances it has made in two years. These include its purchase from the Germans of their entire missionary equipment in Shantung, China, the building Of publication house In Philadelphia, magnificent attain ments of the women's missionary society, and movement to estab- fish a Lutheran women's college in the United States.
 Without making specific reference to the controversy between funda- mentalists and modernists in other churches, Dr. Knubel told the dele gates that "the confessional situa- ton outside of Lutheranism is grow ing cv, m, se sadly confused than 1t was,' adding:
 "Controycrsy reaches ever nearer to the very center of Christianity in Christ and his redemption.' There fore. he pointed out that it would be g positive betrayal of and danger to our allegiance to Gospel principles" for the Lutheran church in America to take any further. steps at this time to establish closer relations with other denominations. Conclud- ing Dr. Knubel held up to the dele gates his conception of an Ideal con- grcgation which would strive to serve others as well as itself, CO., operate with other churches of the same faith, take active and efficient part in the operations of the parent church organizations. feed the hun gry in Europe, welcome and aid the immigrant, support students in uni versailles and prepare pastors to fill the hundreds of vacant pulpits.