# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1947_S635
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS 635

X. MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS

sport of the Bureau of Information Regarding
Secret Societies |
(Memorial 1001)

synodical Bureau of Information Regarding Secret Soci-
ubmits its triennial report. There has again been an increase
ei ork of this Bureau because of the large number of cases
RH which our pastors are dealing in their missionary activity.
is.due to a variety of causes. For one thing, the postwar
erity has caused the lodges of our country to compete for
mbers, especially among the men who have returned from
service. Also it is evident that the strong missionary effort
_ig so noteworthy in all our synodical Districts has brought
contacts, especially in the field of adult instruction, which
Jd.cause inquiries as to the nature ‘of certain societies. Again it
been our observation that some prominent orders of the
type no longer insist upon initiation under a ritual but i

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insurance like any insurance society. The problem has be-
ie more compléx through the development of a large number
cemen’s organizations, and these, again, have passed through
velopment which sometimes has made it difficult to determine
r true status. s [i
We have had much correspondence with these servicemen’s iY
ganizations and in the fall of 1945 summarized what was then :
thentic information in the form of a report which was mailed ig
the clergy of the Missouri Synod and to many who learned
its existence and requested copies.

The lodge question has entered into the discussions at inter-
synodical meetings. We believe that spokesmen for the Missouri mf
Synod should not take an apologetic stand as if, after all, there |
ts so much inconsistency on our part that we have no right to eg
‘admonish others. This attitude would not give proper credit to _
f..the great majority of our pastors and congregations, who practice

line with our synodical standards. On the other hand, it must nd
not be denied that in some areas our conferences permit, apparently me
.without making any remonstrance, lax practices in the reception
of members. It should remain our unwavering policy that con- P|
ferences keep alive the matter of dealing with the lodge as with
great spiritual evil. Fraternal admonition should be applied
‘where there is an evident failure to practice in harmony with the
ord of God. HH

Recognition of the fact that the other Lutheran bodies, one :
and all, though committed to a policy which recognizes the evil