Evening star., 1948-10-09
Session Told Of Record
Enrolment in Lutheran
Colleges, Seminaries
BY Cospor konnes
Sfor Stoff Coryexpondent

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 9.-Lu-
theran colleges and seminaries now
have larger enrollments than at any
time in their history the 10th BIZ
ennial convention OF the United
Luthern Church in America was
told here today in Board of Edu-
cation report.
The IA Lutheran colleges have
increased their registration this
year to 1908, which is GAL more
than were registered in the schools
two years ago and 5,464 than were
recorded 10 years ago. The semi
narieS report an enrolment of 597
students or 36 more than in 1946
and ITO more than in 1888.
The report also noted that mar
rled students in the Seminaries as
a group are maintaining higher
grades than single students. 1t also
pointed out standards for admis-
sion to the seminaries have been
raised sharply in the past decade,
with questionnaires on the aptitudeS
and personality of prospective STU
dents playing a prominent part in
determining admission to the semi
narieS.
Missionary Society at Peak.
The Women's Missionary Society
today reported it has the largest
membership in its history, 1874,
with financial contributions for the
past two-year period exceeding that
of any previous similar period. It
said 81 ,271 ,259 was raised during the
two years, plus an additional $51 ,274
received from bequests and an
nuities. The report also noted that
George Washington University
graduate, Miss Elaine P. Wagner, is
one of 80 foreign missionaries being
supported by the society. Miss Wag-
ner is at present missionary in
British Guiana.
A resolution supporting the "prin-
ciple of tariff revision embodied in
the Reciprocal Trade Agreements
Act as a means of helping the re-
covery of war-torn countries" was
amended to one urging the church
people to stand by "all proper
means of furthering international
trade upon which, in part, peace
depends" Representative Bulwin-
kle, Democrat, Of North Carolina,
called for the change, after first
saying he had consistently voted
for the Reciprocal Trade Agree
ments Act in Congress. He said he
did not feel the specific act fell
within the province Of a church
group to determine.
ERP Resolution Altered.
The convention also changed 6
resolution supporting the European
Recovery Program as having as its
aim the specific purpose of feed
ing, clothing and restoring the vic
Tins of war" to the general state
ment Of purpose as "rehabilitating
the nations ravished by war"
Included in the other resolutions
passed yesterday was one calling
for every effort by the United States
and Russia to find a meeting ground
where their differences could be
resolved and peace be assured.
Debate on resolution calling on
the church members to be more
active ''in promoting education in
our congregations. colleges and SEM
inaries. in the scientifically demon
strated effects of the use OF bever-
age alcohol" was postponed to a
later date. The issue touched off
a spirited debate earlier, with pro-
ponents of a liberal Interpretation
of the church's attitude toward al
cohol defending temperate use of
beer and those advocating a stricter
view calling for abstinance.
DR.. G.. Elson Ruff, editor of the
Lutheran, official organ of the de-
nomination, at a celebration observ-
ing the 200th anniversary of the
Evangelical Luthern Ministerium of
Pennsylvania, last night traced the
history of Lutheranism in the
United States and of its impact on