LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1932, Page 124

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174 Proceedings of Thirty-Fifth Regular Convention,

turned away from the Lord’s Supper as long as they still are open to
instruction.

C) Ina letter by the sainted Dr. C. F. W. Walther, dated
August 16, 1864, and printed in Lehre und Wehre, Vol. 59, September
1918, pp. 394 ff., we read in part: “But here the question involved is
not so much a doctrine (for in the judgment of the secret societies by
the Word of God we are perfectly unanimous) as the practical appli-
cation. thereof in a concrete case. Herein, however, I proceed from the
principle that, if I cannot prove to a man that he is not a Christian
and he confesses with me the same faith, then I reject him neither
from the Holy Supper nor from membership in the congregation, even
though he still remains in many sins of ignorance and weakness. For
if the latter were the reason for rejection, whom, then, would I accept ?
And if it is certain that Christ accepts some one (jemanden), then
who am I that I should cast him out? And if I here make an excep-
tion as to the secret societies, then there vanishes from under my feet
the principle, the basis, for every other acceptance and admission.”

D) In the fourth convention of the Eastern District, held in
1858, “a congregation of our synodical connection which for a con-
siderable time permitted members of secret societies to commune at itg
altar and yet had not admitted them to membership in the congrega-
tion and in which some misgivings had arisen in regard to this matter,
had submitted a number of questions in writing to Synod, asking for
an opinion.

“a) First Question: Can members of secret societies be received
as guests at Holy Communion for a longer period of time?

“Answer: It is the opinion of Synod that one dare not dabble in
this matter with laws and ordinances and with them bind the con-
sciences of the preachers. This matter as well as all such cases as
belong to the cure of souls (Privatseelsorge) must be left to the in-
dividual preacher. In regard to admitting individuals belonging to
secret societies to the Holy Supper as well as in general in regard to
all communicants he is to inquire solely whether a person is really
a believer; if this is the case, and if he be otherwise ever so weak and
in regard to secret societies ever so hazy, a preacher must receive him.
For it is not within his power to deny the treasures of the kingdom of
heaven to a lamb of Christ, and though it be the very weakest. We
preachers should rather beware of rejecting any one who by faith has
become a member of the body of Christ, even though he be a weak
member; for it would be harder for us to answer for such a thing
on the Last Day than for being anxiously careful not to admit an
unworthy guest.” (Synodalbericht des Oestlichen Distrikts der Deut-
schen Ev.-Luth. Synode von Missouri, Ohio u. a. Staaten, 1858,

pp. 22.28.) The meeting was held in Old Trinity, New York, Presi-
dent O. F. D. Wyneken representing the Synod at large.

iv. Luth. Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States. 1932. 175

NB. Many similar quotations from official publications of Synod
could be given.

Question 2: Shall we continue to abide by. the original position
and practise of our Synod ?

Question $: If the answer to these questions should show a di-
vision of opinion among our congregations, shall we, in this question
of the application of Scriptural principles to Christian life, respect
one another’s conviction and conscience and bear with one another as

brethren? Respectfully submitted by
THE CoMMITTEE:
Rev. ArTHUR Bruny. Rev. Frank JENA.
Rev. F. W. Wetmomann. Rev. H. P. Eckwarpt.
Rev. F. P. WILHELM. Rev. Erwin Kurru.*
Rev. Geo. C. Koenica.
* In addition to the names of the committee the overture has 131 sig-
natures. F, Pr.
On these three memorials and several unprinted overtures the
following report was brought in: —

Report of Committee 16.

Your Committee was asked to submit reports on three printed
memorials recorded in the Reports and Memorials as Nos. 404, 405,
and 406.

Your Committee also considered an unprinted memorial from the
Northeastern Nebraska Conference, which protests against the mail-
ing of pamphlets and other literature to pastors and congregations
anonymously; another from the Central Pastoral Conference of the
Colorado District, which endorses Overture 405; another from the
Baltimore City Conference, which suggests that Overtures 405 and
406 be referred back to their respective authors for further considera-
tion; and another from the Kansas City Special Pastoral Conference,
which demands that the 1929 resolutions stand as a basis for lodge
practise in the future.

Concerning Memorial 404: —

Your Committee would like to direct attention to the fine work
which your Bureau of Information Regarding Secret Orders has again
done in the last triennium and to this end invites the careful perusal
and study of Report No. 404. Also in the future this bureau should
function, and all persons requiring information on secret orders
should seek its aid and cooperation. Your Committee wishes to call
attention in particular to the following paragraphs of the report: —

“The Bureau notes with gratification an improvement in the
handling of the lodge problem by the congregations. One and all,
our inquirers are definite in their statement that they uphold the
resolutions of 1929; a vigorous, yet evangelical policy is being main-