# Lehre und Wehre_St. Louis Missouri_September 1858_S274
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

274 From the General Synod.

does not accept it, but satisfies the requirements of the basis of the
General Synod, so, on the other hand, the latter has no right to call in
question the former's claim to fullest recognition as a Lutheran. Every
attempt to rob the one or the other of his right, especially when this
takes the form of legislation, is revolutionary and should be hissed off
the stage. The principle of union to which we refer is comprehensive. It is
not to the taste of the narrow-minded, of the exclusive, and whoever does
not approve it has an easy remedy. No obstacle should be thrown in their
way. If they prefer another Lutheran body, they will be gladly received,
provided they have clean papers with them and give the right password to
the watchful sentries. Should they wish to put on another form of
Christianity under another name — facilis descensus. If they are too
delicate to find satisfaction in any existing form, they may found another
sect on a narrower or broader basis. Fidelity to the principle of the
General Synod is the only guarantee of a peaceful and flourishing church.
Standing as we do in this conviction, we have a word for every party. Let
the strict symbolist in the General Synod be told this: you have united
yourself with others on a basis which demands no unconditional subscription
to the Augsburg Confession; it allows difference in some points, namely in
the sacraments; while you profess that you believe everything stated in
it, that you except nothing, that you believe the regeneration through
baptism, the real, substantial (physical) presence of Christ in the Lord's
Supper, as set forth in the Formula of Concord and by the older theologians,
you have consented to have fellowship with those who do not stand in this
faith. You have received your office from them, you have acted with them
in synods, you have had fellowship with them in every respect. You cannot
now, consistently with all this, say to these your brethren: "you are no
Lutherans, you cannot be regarded as such, you do not deserve the name,
your rightful place would be with some other body."

Views of this kind may be entertained and expressed with regard to those
who do not accept all the doctrines of the Confession, and it may be
granted that if Lutheranism consists in giving full assent to every
article, then no one deserves the name who does not give this full assent.
But another standard has been fixed, and then the assumption that those
who meet the requirements of this standard are guilty of a false
designation when they use its title is by no means to be justified. The
very moment anyone's enlightenment reaches this point, he should prepare
to leave the place he occupies, and, by adopting another basis, avoid a
divisive influence through new combinations.