New Britain herald., 1930-06-24
LUTHERANS GATHER
FOR 10TH SESSION
1853 Delegates Answer Roll Call
at Convention Here
WILLIAM F, STONE DIES
Self-Infiicted Wound Fatal TO Manu-
facturer Alleged Brooalsttck
Wielder Freed by Judge - Mrs.
Anne kennealy Dies.

Anne kenneally Dies.
One hundred and siXty-three dele
gates responded TO the roll call at
the opening OF the 18th synodical
| convention Of the Atlantic district
here yesterday.
The convention opened with the
singing Of "A Mighty Fortress Is
Our God" which is known as The
Battle Hymn Of the Reformation,
and the reading Of Psalm IS by Rev.
William okepchen of St. Luke's
Evangelical Lutheran church, New
| York city.
The secretary, Rev. Karl Kret-
mann Of Redeemer Lutheran church,
Orange. \. j., called the roll, which
consists of pastors. parochial school
teachers, lay delegates and advisory
pastors Of the Atlantic district, COM
prising the New England states.
New York state as far west at Utica,
and all Of New Jersey.
Rev. Henry Birkner, D. D., the
president Of the district, pastor OF
Zion Lutheran church, Boston,
Mass. gave his presidential address.
He spoke on the words of Scripture,
Let Us Hold Fast Our Profession.
He said in part: The Augsburg con-
fession. the 400th anniversary OF
which is being celebrated this year,
is the basic confession Of our Luth-
eran church. 1t is a concise exposi-
ton OF the principal doctrines Of the
Holy Scriptures and a Reputation Of
the sectarian errors. and false
doctrines which Rad crept IN and
gained foothold in the Christian
church IL the course of years. Firm
ly convinced of the truth OF the Cos
pei as proclaimed by the great re-
former, the men who had drawn up
this document offered It al the Diet
Of Augsburg-Uhence II derives It's
name-as their profession Of faith
by which they had decided to stand
regardless OF consequences for them
selves and others who likewise had
embraced the tnew) religion. They
felt IN conscience bound TO make
this profession OF their faith, lest
by silence they would become guilty
of a denial OF the truth OF God 5
holy word.
Four centuries have elapsed since
that historic and ever memorable
DAY at Augsburg and today this con-
fession still ranks first among the
confessional writings of the Luttl-
eran church. Neither an individual,
nor a group OF persons organized as
4 church party are entitled to the
name Lutheran who dlsavow the
Augsburg confession.
The Missouri synod, in which the
Atlantic district holds membership
and Of which it is a constituent part.
lays claim to the Lutheran NAM
and without reservation subscribes
to the Augsburg confession"
President Birkner concluded his
address by I appeal 10 the conven-
ton 70 follow the example OF these
noble and fearless contessors OF the
10th century and Of the fathers OF
the Missouri synod who stood ready
to sacrifice their very lives for the
sake OF retaining the divine truth
for themselves and for their pos
terltv
President Reads Report
In keeping with the constitution
OF the synod the president next read
his annual report. According 10 the
latest statistics available the district
ls made up of l53 congregations. IS
preaching stations and IS parish
schools. which are served by II,
pastors Gncludlng 10 professors at
Concordia Institute, Bronxyille. New
York; and As parochial school
teachers. The district numbers 64-
755 baptized members. &3.507 COM .
municant members 1926 pupils in T.
parish schools. $1,000 pupils are
enrolled in 80 Sunday schools serv- .
ed by 1852 teachers, Since the last +.
report 1850 we're baptized 2.011 I.
confirmed. 66.o54 communed. 1877 .
couples we're married, 1.4I4 vero /
buried. The estimated church value .
of the combined district is $4,000 .
900.
Five candidates Of theology have
entered the district, viz, Carl f. .
Blake, Elmer c. Burgdorf. f. {. I
William F. Bruening and .
Hugo H. Ness Two further cand;- /
dates, Z. Heuer and A. Clausing,
have accepted calls to the district
and have made applications for
membership, Upon the roster are
found the following missionaries 20