# Der Lutheraner_St. Louis Missouri_1853 12 06_S62
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

62

for example upon the opinion that a Christian may nowhere swear any oath. The whole book in all its parts makes from the very beginning the impression that we feel ourselves led by a firm, sure hand into the midst of the fullness of divine truth. Relatively few passages of Scripture are cited, as the Preface, p. IX, also remarks beforehand, but those which he cites are always especially apt ones, are brought forward in places where one expects proof from Scripture, and are plainly expounded, so that one retains them without much learning by rote and therefore does not so soon forget them again. See, for example, Qu. 402 and 403, Qu. 875). Also the examples from Scripture and church history, which make the doctrine vivid, are admirably chosen and told in that manner which is peculiar to Luther and which makes out of a little story a small fine picture, so clear and delightful that it impresses itself indelibly upon the heart. (Compare Qu. 492, 547, and 839). I am sorry that I cannot present more examples of the fullness, purity, and scripturalness with which Dr. Luther handles the doctrine in this book, but "der Lutheraner" would not afford the space for it, and I may hope that the readers will study the book diligently themselves. It can help us mightily to practice the holy Ten Commandments in the fourfold manner, since Luther treats them for us as a book of teaching, as a book of thanksgiving, as a book of confession, and as a book of prayer.

The conclusion of the holy Ten Commandments, the threat and promise, is expounded first in the relation of these words to the first commandment, then in their relation to all the commandments. Here also we admire the mighty earnestness with which Luther wields the sword of the Spirit against the secure and the slothful, how on the other hand he lets the fainthearted and despondent taste so sweetly and lovingly and see how friendly the Lord is (see Qu. 897), yet withal never forgets to point from the promises of the Law to the promises of the Gospel, as those alone which can quiet our heart before God (see Qu. 928). Without there being any special discussion of it, the Law is nevertheless applied in the whole book to its threefold use, to be a bar against the wickedness of coarse, unruly men, a mirror in which we may recognize our sins, and a rule according to which we may walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.

The book is for everyone, not merely for the preachers and teachers; fathers and mothers will be able to instruct their children and servants fruitfully by it, as it is their duty; would to God that the right practice of the Catechism might once more come to pass in the homes. To facilitate instruction the author has marked with an (*) the questions which one may go through in a first course with the little ones and the unlearned. Fruit and blessing will God bestow upon this book, for it preaches plainly and simply His wholesome doctrine. May the same gracious God grant the dear author life and health also to expound the other chief parts of the Catechism in like manner, for the edification of many Christian people.
A. Hoyer.

(Submitted.)

Proceedings

of the 15th Session of the First Conference of the Eastern District of the General Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Ohio and Other States.

First Session.

In accordance with a resolution of the last year's session, the members of the Conference, together with congregational delegates, assembled in the Jerusalem Church, Hickory Township, Mercer Co., Pa., on Friday morning, 9 o'clock. Opened with singing and prayer by the President.

Ministers present:
1. Pastor M. Kuchler, Erie, Pa.
2. " W. A. Fetter, Butler, Pa.
3. " F. G. Zeumer, Pittsburg, Pa.
4. " G. Kranz, London, Pa.
5. " J. D. Nunemacher, Sägertown, Pa.
6. " J. Hengist, West Greenville, Pa.
7. " S. Bächler, North Lima, Ohio.

Congregational Delegates.
Jakob Haßler. Johannes Rieger.
Jonas Neuhardt. Peter Pauli.
Johannes Ilgerfritz.

Absent were the Brethren Hölsche and Braasch. This Conference assembly consisted therefore of 12 voting members. Thereupon the report of the last year's President, G. Krantz, was read. The election of officers now took place; the result was that
Pastor W. A. Fetter was elected President,
" J. D. Nunemacher Secretary, and
" J. Hengist Treasurer.

Resolved, that the last year's resolution in regard to the St. Mark's congregation in Butler, Pa., be renewed.

Adjourned until 3 o'clock in the afternoon, prayer by Br. Zeumer.

Second Session.

Friday afternoon 3 o'clock, prayer by the President.

Resolved, that Brethren F. G. Zeumer, J. Hengist and Peter Pauli form a committee to report on unfinished business of the past year.

Resolved, that the report of the President be taken up for deliberation.

Resolved, that Brethren Zeumer, Fetter and Kranz form a committee to investigate on the spot the case of J. G. Hahn.

Resolved: that the Conference disapproves that Br. Braasch, without proper reasons given, has withdrawn from the holy ministry, that therefore the President of the Conference be hereby charged to call upon Br. Braasch for an explanation why he has so acted.

Resolved, that Brethren Bächler and Kuchler form a committee to lay before the Conference resolutions concerning the building of union church-houses and the introduction of union church constitutions.

Resolved, that we as a Conference earnestly recommend to our youth and to the older confirmands the book entitled "Timotheus."

Resolved, that Brethren Kranz, Fetter and Cong. Del. Rieger form a committee to lay before the Conference a report whether the civil magistracy has rights grounded on God's Word to solemnize holy matrimony.

Adjourned until tomorrow 9 o'clock, prayer by Br. Kuchler.

Third Session.

Saturday, 9 o'clock in the morning. Opening with prayer by the Secretary.

Resolved, that the collective reports of the preachers on the condition of their congregations be handed over to a committee for report. The committee consists of Brethren Kuchler, Zeumer, Kranz, Delegates Haßler and Ilgerfritz.

Report of the committee on unfinished business. Since the matters handed over to us for report are of great importance for our church and ministers, as they concern a diseased point in our congregational life, we take the liberty respectfully to report as follows:

A. Secret Societies. These are to be recognized as unchristian and harmful from this, that according to their principles they strive to destroy the fundamental doctrines of our Christian faith; since their members are idolaters, in that they weaken the fear and the love and the trust toward God, and they seduce to frivolous swearing. Their benevolence is unchristian, in that it contends against the principles of the holy apostles: "Let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith" — it gives only to those who have given beforehand; the requirement for admission is not the Christian faith, but only outward righteousness; and the purpose, the satisfaction of their self-interest.

B. Temperance Societies. These are unchristian and harmful, because they devise other ways to their salvation, and seek their righteousness in works which do not count before God, because they do not come from faith, but from pride, for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Also from this further, because they esteem their orders and associations higher than God's Word and His Church — they also lead to hypocrisy and self-righteousness.*)

*) To prevent misunderstandings we take the liberty to remark that the Reverend Conference does not wish to oppose temperance, that is, moderation, but only to reject the way in which the temperance societies seek to attain their otherwise good purpose, whereas Christianity points out thereto the way of repentance and conversion. D. R.