# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1953_S416
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

416 INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS =

[628]
Report of Commission on Fraternal Organ

In the past triennium, the Commission on Fraternal O;
tions continued its work in terms of Synod’s position ¢
lodges (Handbook 13.01). Our main task was to supply
pastors with the most recent information on fraternal org
In many instances we were approached to render an op
specific cases. We also carried on considerable correspondenc
a number of fraternal organizations and received from t
particulars regarding the purpose and nature of their ritua
also had meetings with top officials of several frate nals
izations. We- attempted in these meetings to clarify
officials our objections to their rituals and to have the
or declare the rituals optional. In every instance we were’
received, and, though we are not able at this time to give
organizations a clean bill of health, we believe that we | a.
progress in the direction of the goals we are trying to

It is evident to us that our pastors and congregations
manifesting a genuine concern regarding the evil nature ’9:
oath-bound fraternal organizations. An illustration of that’,
a questionnaire brought to our attention the past year b;
the large pastoral conferences in the Midwest, which:
constituency to ascertain the lodge policy pursued by.
pastors and congregations in its midst. From almost comp}
turns, the poll revealed that the great majority of cong:
was lodge free, and in all instances where members had:
with an objectionable organization they were being dealt
scientiously. As additional evidence that our pastors in’ ge
alert to the menace of lodgery, we submit that reques
formation or advice come to us from all parts of the cou
are glad to report also that occasionally we receive req
information from Lutheran pastors not affiliated with ‘ou

But we must also record that some areas in our Chu
not contacted us. This makes your Commission wond
the lodge problem does not exist in these areas. Wh
members of your Commission have spoken at L. L. L
other gatherings, discussion revealed that our co
both rural and urban communities commonly meet \
from one or more local secret orders that our membe

lodge evil, we shall in the course of time find it diffi
the line. It should be evident to all our people that i