# Lehre und Wehre_St. Louis Missouri_September 1858_S272
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

272 From the General Synod.

assume that the views expressed in this article are in general the views of
the leading men in the General Synod, and that it therefore affords us a
glimpse into the conditions, principles, hopes, and fears of this body — a
glimpse that is the more interesting to us because that article sets forth,
clearly and definitely, in particular the position of the General Synod
toward the Lutheran confession and toward the Lutherans known to be
faithful to it.

The Review. — The Church.

"During the period covered by the Evangelical Review, the history of our
church has been rich in events. It was a most agitated period. The
agitation has subsided, but complete calm has not yet been reached. It has
been marked by much strife and has taught many useful things. Well for the
church if these things are heeded and applied in a fitting manner. Without
question a new era has dawned upon us. The era of the General Synod, as it
has been called, down to the still-continuing period which begins with the
publication of the Evangelical Review, was a time of great prosperity for
our Lutheran Zion. It was a reaction against rigid orthodoxy and
neological tendencies — most salutary, even if not always moderate —
which has carried the church far forward compared with its former state.

"During the more recent period, within the last ten years, our church has
passed through new configurations and unfolded a most interesting series of
events. New difficulties lay in its path. Its calling was not to free
itself from the icy fetters of formalism and a lifeless orthodoxy, but
rather to hold together, in brotherly union, its sons who were diverging in
difference of doctrine. In this process grave harm was threatened and
anxious forebodings were awakened, but now the storm, by God's grace, has
been weathered and a calm sea reached. The agitation is not quite over, but
has not the storm spent its greatest violence, and are not brighter days
before us? If we are wise, if we are taught by what has occurred, this
must be the result. Our motto should be: in union is strength. The great
question for our church in this land is whether it can be a unity held
together by a common bond. If unity requires absolute agreement in all the
minutiae of Christian doctrine, of church government, and of ceremonies, it
is certainly not possible. But if agreement in the main points of faith and
practice is regarded as sufficient, there need be no great difficulty. In
most of our large Christian communions there is more or less difference of
opinion on points of doctrine. The Presbyterian, Congregationalist, and
Episcopal churches are by no means a unity in every particular of doctrine
and practice. Where one enjoys freedom of thought and inquiry, it is not
possible that complete uniformity of views on everything set forth in