Evening star., 1929-06-29
LUTHER CATECH|SM
CREDITED IN UNITY
World Convention Devotes
Much Time to Book of
Four Centuries Ago.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, June 49,
The underlying bond OF unity which
exists today among the Lutherans of
all races and nationalities throughout
the world is directly due to the pro-
duction 400 years ago of Luther's Small
Catechism, declared DR.. J. M. Reu,
professor at Wartburg Theological
Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa, in an ad-
dress before the second Lutheran world
convention gathered in this city.
DR.. Reu's address called the attention
of the delegates from all lands to the
quadricentennial jubilee Of this little
textbook of Martin Luther's, which for
four centuries has been the basis of
the religious instruction of youth in
Lutheran churches throughout the
world. The convention devoted con-
siderable time to the significance Of
this book In the present day and gene
ration.
The Gospel of Christ is the only
remedy for a Sinsick world and we
Lutherans of America are not ashamed
of It," declared Rev. N. c. Carlson of
Royal, Iowa. president Of the United
Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America. President Carlson was re-
to the address of welcome of the Right
Rev. Harald Ostenfeld, Bishop of Copen-
hagen.
Pleading for the development Of a
stronger bond of unity among the
Lutheran churches of the world and
an expression of faith from the church
leaders gathered at this great interna-
tional convention, DR.. Carlson warned:
In a day when the Bible is in many
quarters torn to Shreds and when the
fundamentals of the Christian faith
are denied from numerous pulpitS OF
once orthodox churches. 1t is impera-
tive that the Church of the Reforma-
ton should give expression to her unity
and bear witness to the world as never
before We trust that this second
Lutheran world convention may con-
tribute much to strengthen our bond
of unity and increase the capacity of
the church to serve for the advance
ment of the kingdom of God"
1t is the duty Of the church to raise
its voice Of authority against prevailing
social sins and evils wherever they
may be found and not to become
thing aloof and apart from the world
in which men live, declared DR.. Gustav
NJ Bruce, professor of sociology and
ethics at Luther Theological Seminary,
ST. Paul, Mimi, In an address on THE
Lutheran Conception Of the Relation
ship Between Christianity and the
World" Nor is, the function Of the
individual Christian to be Christian
on Sunday and a wording, cursing
swearing. deceiving, lying, cheating,
stealing and depressing on week days.
His entire life Is to be lived as Chris
tan. He Is In the world, yet not of
it. He is to be light to tighten the
world, salt to season 1t and a leaven
to permeate 1t.
Prof Bruce instructed the church
men present: 1T is the function of the
church TO testify with conviction, au-
thority and courage against prevailing
social sins and evils in whatever sphere,
economic, political, cultural or moral,
and to create resultant public opinion
which will make for high and noble
social ideals, justice, Righteousness, sta
bility, peace, well-being and the pur-
suit of true happiness. An awakened
Lutheran Church the world over. alive
to her responsibilities and opportunities
and faithful to the Word of God In
her confession, viii not and cannot
shirk her social obligations, nor fail
to make herself felt as regenerative,
uplifting and sanctifying force in So
ciety to the honor and glory of God.
the extension and perfecting of His
kingdom and the benefit and blessing
Of mankind, both for time and
eternity.