# Lehre und Wehre_St. Louis Missouri_Juli 1860_S201
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

The Struggle within the Prussian Lutheran Church. 201

synod can be brought about, unless a thorough preparation through writings has preceded it. For indeed the spirit that expresses itself in the synodical resolutions as the more powerful one within them (for different spirits cannot be mistaken in them) works itself back more and more into the life of the congregations, so that a longer wait does not seem advisable. It is a matter of conscience for me to declare openly that I am not, along with the others, a guarantor of the synodical resolutions, nor do I ever wish to be, although I believe I have hitherto kept their individual provisions as well as anyone, so far, that is, as they concern outward regulations."

Ehlers begins the new volume with the following words: "For the new year I wish all my dear readers an undaunted heart and good courage! — Courage might indeed often fail us when the ship of the church is tossed to and fro by the waves of the world, and we may well grow anxious when we see ourselves attacked continually not only from without, but also hear among ourselves of differing opinions and views, and the fear is expressed that our church will gradually dissolve entirely — namely the Lutheran Church in Prussia — as one would all too gladly see it broken and destroyed. But be of good courage! For thus says the Lord GOD: It shall not stand, nor come to pass thus! God is within her, therefore she will surely remain. God helps her early. The ship on which we sail, which the Lord has built, was not broken last year and will, this year too, remain unbroken to the honor of God, to the joy of His children, and to the vexation and offense of all those who bear it ill will. And should God allow that some fall overboard, the ship will nevertheless remain and sail on over the great waters, as did Noah's ark at the time of the Flood." —

Our readers will recall that at the last General Synod of the Prussian Lutherans in the year 1856, the disunity present in doctrine was papered over by the question which the president put right at its opening: whether the General Synod confessed with heart and mouth to all the symbols of the Lutheran Church and to all the doctrines contained in them — which was answered in the affirmative unanimously, by rising, and with a resounding Amen. Whereupon, as was reported, a strengthening and quickening sense of the unity of the faith pervaded all the synodical delegates, even though they were well aware of the disunity actually present. Here too it shows once again how little human cleverness can accomplish when it deems it advisable (expedient) to evade God's demand for the establishment of a firm mutual adherence in one mind and in one accordant opinion, and to set the outward connection above the inner unity.

First it will be necessary that we sketch the standpoint of the parties in this struggle; which we will attempt in what follows, so far as our sources suffice for it.

We begin with Räthjen's doctrine of the church. "Christ's church is