# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1953_S418
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

418 INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS:

of information on almost two hundred fraternal organiza
also contains in its initial chapters clearly formulated princi
policies which should enable the pastor to proceed Script
evangelically with lodge members. Dr. Graebner’s files ‘o;
which accumulated over a period of nearly thirty years, w,
sented by his family to Synod’s Commission on Fraternal
izations.

The Commission wishes to thank Synod for allowin:
budget year after year so that the Commission could ce
assignments. It also thanks the pastors who in their com
tions provided valuable information for the benefit of
mission. It is our prayer that our Church may continue: tine
ingly and steadfastly to voice its objections to the false
of secret oath-bound organizations, to remain loyal to its\g
and to make all our members more and more aware of thi
and privilege of being members in the body of Christ.

JULIUS W. ACKER
Pau. M. Bretscner,

[629]

Elimination of Objectionable Religious Fea 4

in Lodges

Wuereas, Our Commission on Fraternal Organization

far been unable to carry out the recommendations of.
convention of the English District relative to the Masonic (
Wsereas, The current expansion of lodges exerts
pressure upon pastors and congregations to relax sound;
principles in dealing with the lodge evil; and g
Wuereas, Our Commission on Fraternal Organization
ceeded in making considerable progress in dealing with
of several objectionable orders; be it therefore
Resolved, That our Commission on Fraternal Orga
urged to continue to put forth every effort to eliminat
tionable religious features in all lodges, notably the Masoniew
and be it further

Resolved, That all our congregations and pastors ¢
take an evangelical but definite stand on the question of
ship in objectionable fraternal organizations.

Encuisy Disr
Rev. C. F. Dankwortg,