# Der Lutheraner_St. Louis Missouri_1949 08 30_S288
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

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merely a federation of churches which was formed chiefly on account of external matters, as for example the question of education, the question of refugees, etc. But it was also pointed out again and again what dangers such an alliance could bring with it, and the Lutheran church people were admonished not to forget their duty of confession. Many a good word was spoken for the Free Church, and the assembly was urged to consider whether after all the Free Church should not be regarded as the most fitting arrangement for all Germany.

Third and Fourth Meetings

The third and the fourth meetings were directed by Vice-President Dr. H. Harms with great circumspection and much skill. In particular his opening sermons and his fitting devotional addresses made a deep impression on the assemblies, for with them he introduced, as it were, the topics before them and pointed to their importance for Christian faith and Christian life.

General View of the Kurhaus at Bad Boll

At the last two meetings such topics were treated as "Revelation and Scripture," "Original Sin and Original Guilt," "Reconciliation and Justification," "Church and Churches," "The Lutheran Doctrine of the Sacraments," "The Christian in the Two Kingdoms," "Neo-Thomist [Catholic] Theology," etc. These discussions stood under the general theme: "The Plan of Salvation according to Scripture and according to the Lutheran Confessions." Some of the most eminent theologians of Germany, as for example Dr. A. Köberle of Tübingen and others, read papers on these topics wholly in the spirit of the Lutheran Confession, and they agreed entirely with our own testimony on the points in question. Only on the points of "verbal inspiration" and "altar fellowship" were there differences. Yet the position of the Missouri Synod was treated with great respect, and one speaker declared: "Even if we do not all agree with Missouri on these points, we nevertheless respect the great faithfulness to God's Word that is expressed in its doctrine." We are certain that our testimony was not in vain on the two points named either, as we may conclude from many private remarks. Various pastors said to us later: "Just stay with your position, for it is the only right one."

Many brethren from the Free Church also took part in the meetings at Bad Boll, and their clear, pertinent testimony was of great value to all. That brethren from the Eastern Zone were able to come too gave us special joy, for it is precisely in the Eastern Zone that the Church stands under a heavy cross.

The wish was expressed quite generally that the meetings at Bad Boll might be continued next year, since God in His grace has created something great in Germany that ought to be strengthened. He has led many back to Scripture and to the Lutheran Confession, and everywhere His elect are listening to His voice.

In Gemünden and Oberursel

The representatives of the Missouri Synod met with the brethren from the Free Church for a special pastoral conference on July 14 and 15 in Gemünden. Here a cordial relationship began to develop, and many important points were discussed. The friendly local pastor, Pfarrer R. Kabitz, and his faithful congregation provided in the best way for the welfare of the many guests. The hours in Gemünden will remain unforgettable to us. Since, by the way, there are many places in Germany named Gemünden, we add that this Gemünden lies in the Westerwald in the district of Westerburg.

Again and again the German pastors and professors thanked us most heartily for the help that has come to them so abundantly from America. This help will still be needed further, especially since in the Western Zone there is the enormous refugee problem and in the Eastern Zone great misery still prevails. Let us by all means pray for Germany, especially for the Lutheran Church there and the faithful Christians in the land of the Reformation, and let us give gladly and abundantly to relieve the need of the suffering everywhere. Perhaps, however, it would be well if we carried on our relief work through our Emergency Planning Council, since in this way it goes through the right hands and the gift comes to the right man.

It may also be mentioned that the Fifth Sunday after Trinity, which this year fell on July 17, was a true day of joy for our Lutheran seminary at Oberursel. On this day, namely, Professors W. Ösch and R. Laabs were inducted by Vice-President Dr. Harms into their important office as theological teachers. The undersigned preached on this occasion on Rom. 1:14-17 and treated on the basis of the text the question: When can teachers at a theological seminary carry out their difficult but glorious office with joy? They can surely do so when they 1. rightly prize the Gospel of the grace of God in Christ; and 2. feel themselves debtors to offer the saving Gospel to others. The chapel of the institution was crowded full. So many visitors had come that many had to listen to the sermon outside the building. In the afternoon a great mission festival was then held at Oberursel, in which numerous hearers took part. Many honored guests from Bad Boll and Gemünden, personally known to us, had come for the celebration: thus President Petersen of Berlin, President Hein, President Stallmann, Kirchenrat Dr. Günther, Kirchenrat Lic. Matthias Schulz, and many others. May God make the two professors, with their colleagues Kiunke and Kirsten, a great blessing for our Free Church. The institution now has four professors and more than thirty students.

One leaves Germany only with a heavy heart. The