# Lehre und Wehre_St. Louis Missouri_December 1864_S374
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

374 The Theological Conflict Now Breaking In Upon the General Synod.

On the other side stand those who consider the doctrinal basis of the
General Synod too lax and inclined toward radicalism, and who advocate
an unrestricted subscription to all the Symbolical Books. To judge from
what became apparent at the last meeting of the General Synod, these
brethren no longer seem willing to work together, on the old, liberal
(!), evangelical basis, with all the other pious Lutherans. Whether they
will remain in the General Synod, or separate from it and unite with
those who stand in elective affinity with them, the future must show.
But it is plain that their hearts no longer stand with the General
Synod. As for numerical strength, it appeared at the last General Synod
that the Ultra-Symbolists are markedly in the minority. Will they be
able to make up in greater zeal and devotion to the interests of their
party, in the winning of more outstanding talents, and in a bolder and
more intolerant advocacy of their system, what they lack in numbers?
(That would indeed be dreadful.)

The war of spirits has already broken out some time ago. So far,
however, only the Ultra party has led its forces into attack, while the
Conservatives have put only a small band of their troops into the field
to defend their position. Anxiously, therefore, not a few now ask:
will resistance be offered in the future to the advancing high-church
(sic?) movement, or shall the whole church be given over to its
leavening influence?

The chief forces by which the Ultra-Confessionalists now work upon the
church are: the new seminary at Philadelphia, the "Lutheran and
Missionary," and the publication of catechisms, liturgies, and hymnals
under the authority of the Pennsylvania Synod. With these they
obviously seek to work against the corresponding forces of the friends
of the General Synod, namely the institutions at Gettysburg, Hartwick,
Springfield, and Selinsgrove, the "Lutheran Observer," and the
hymnbook, catechism, and liturgy of the General Synod. It is generally
believed that not a few of the Ultras cherish the hope that their
forces will consume the more liberal and more conservative resources of
the General Synod as completely as Pharaoh's ugly and lean cows
devoured the beautiful and fat cows. On what can a minority found such
expectations? They may expect great growth for their party from the
sluggishness, indifference, and lack of unity on the side of the
friends of the General Synod, and even more from superior energy,
acumen, and zeal on their own side. Nor would it be the first example
in world history of the few winning the prize from the many through
shrewd policy and burning zeal. To look these facts in the eye is the
duty of the friends of the General Synod. As for the new seminary,
outsiders may question whether it was wise to move a theological
institution into a large city; but to the friends of the institution
the location seems to their liking, because it makes it exceptionally
easy to bring students into its halls