# Der Lutheraner_St. Louis Missouri_1847 08 03_S135
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Der Lutheraner.

"God's Word and Luther's teaching shall never pass away, now nor evermore."

Published by C. F. W. Walther.

Volume 3.

St. Louis, Mo., August 10, 1847.

No. 25.

Terms: The Lutheraner appears once every two weeks, for the subscription price of one dollar for out-of-town subscribers, who are to prepay half of it in advance and to bear the postage. — In St. Louis each individual number is sold for 5 cents.

(Submitted.)
Conversation of Two Lutherans on Church Constitution.
IV.

The day of the Lord dawned; the noise of everyday labor fell silent; a holy Sabbath stillness lay poured out over heaven and earth, broken only by the solemn tones of the church bells, which rang far off through the echoing woods and called the inhabitants to worship. Festively adorned, they rode in from every side, gathered into ever-larger processions, and at last drew up before the church, which stood in the middle of the settlement. A glorious hymn of praise rose up to the Lord; since a preacher was still lacking, the congregation edified itself with the reading of a sermon by Luther on the Gospel for the day, after which everyone then returned to his own affairs.

"Let us also consider the external organization of the Synod," said Erich, when a quiet hour presented itself in the afternoon.

S. You know that, apart from the advisory members — who have the same right to speak, only they do not vote in all cases — it is the preachers and delegates who constitute the Synod.

E. I am glad that in this way every congregation retains its rights and freedoms even in the Synod, since its preacher and delegate have the same right to vote as the others.

S. Certainly. But at the same time the Synod lays upon everyone the most sacred duties, since its constitution says, Chap. VI, E, § 1: "Every member of the Synod is, according to his calling, powers, and means, to apply all diligence and earnestness to ensure that the purpose intended by the synodical union be achieved as fully as possible, namely the most necessary preservation of the purity and unity of doctrine, and the preservation and spread of the Church."

E. That is, for every Lutheran, the highest, holiest purpose.

S. Now Christian wisdom must counsel us as to how our assembly may best serve this purpose.

E. And what does it advise, then?

S. During the sessions there are, of course, many things to be deliberated; speeches are given, and often there is lively disputing as well.

E. But can this not give rise to a good deal of disturbance?

S. To prevent that, we elect a President. He is to direct the course of the proceedings, so that everything may be carried out in Christian order, Chap. VI, A, § 1.

E. But what if the President is prevented from attending?

S. For that case we elect a Vice-President, who, at the request of the President, is to take his place in all functions, Chap. VI, B, § 1.

E. Besides that, do you also appoint a Secretary?

S. He is to keep the minutes during the synodical proceedings, Chap. VI, C, § 1.

E. And what is the Treasurer to do?

S. He is to attend to all money matters in the name of the Synod and according to its instructions, Chap. VI, D, § 1.

E. Are those all the officers of the Synod?

S. Yes. It is self-evident that without them the Synod could neither maintain order nor conduct its business in an efficient manner.

E. They are indeed necessary, but do they not function only during the sessions of the Synod?

S. No. There is, of course, always a quantity of ongoing business which must be dealt with as speedily as possible for the good of the congregations. Synodical resolutions are to be carried out at once, subject to the restrictions already mentioned to you. That is why we elect our officers for three years.

E. But what if the officers of the Synod abuse the power entrusted to them?

S. For that case, Chap. VI says: "The officers of the Synod are to claim only those rights which are expressly conferred upon them by the Synod, and for these, as well as for the fulfillment of their duties, they are responsible to the Synod in every respect. They can therefore be called to account by the Synod at any time."

E. So the highest decision always remains, then, with the whole body of congregations?

S. That is indeed clear. The officers are only serving instruments of the Synod, and are therefore furnished with authority so that they may carry out such measures as aim at the common good.

E. That is why I read with pleasure that the rights and duties of each of them are prescribed in the most precise manner.

S. I wager, Erich, that in one respect you still fear something on the part of our Synod for the freedom of the congregations.

E. Well, what then?

S. You still have fears concerning the President.

E. You have indeed hit upon it. But since I have already heard so much about the principles of your Synod, which are as scriptural as they are Christianly liberal, I believed that this apprehension too must yet vanish.

S. And rightly so. There must be a personal center point, so that from it the course of business may be directed according to definite principles —

E. It is necessary that, for the sake of order, a regulated superordination and subordination of offices and gifts take place.

S. Suppose we had not established the office of President. Then, as often as the scattered Lutheran congregations wanted to carry out some common measure, they would either have to send delegates to an assembly, or a letter would have to be written to each one separately.

E. That would then result in endless prolixity and confusion.

S. It is indeed for this very reason that the Holy Spirit gives to individuals the gift of leadership, that they may thereby serve their brethren.

E. That is why it always remains simplest to authorize one individual to conduct the business that arises according to a definite set of instructions.

S. Does it give you no misgivings that only theologians can be elected to the offices of President, Vice-President, and Secretary?

E. No. For on account of their education, I too consider them the most suitable for it. But another measure of your Synod is, as far as I know, new here in America.

S. Which one, then?

E. That the President visits the congregations belonging to the synodical union, in order to supervise the doctrine, life, and conduct of office of the preachers and schoolteachers.