In this scheme the superintendent (or superattendant) was charged with such part of the duty of the older bishops as had been purely administrative. He must concern himself with the discharge of their duties by the pastors of the churches, as well as with their character and demeanour. He must supervise their conduct of public worship, as well as give them licence to preach. He must take cognizance of their ministry to the indigent in their parishes, and of their management of the schools. He must further direct the studies of candidates for the pastoral office. He was answerable to the civil authorities to report all evil-living and false teaching.
The earliest occasion of the appointment of such a superin tendent would seem to be found in the decisions of Prince John of Saxony about 1527. He assigns the duties of the office, and sum mons the newly appointed officer to give diligent heed to the con duct and teaching of the pastors under him, faithfully to warn them of all errors, and, in case they prove obstinate, to report them to the electoral court. He must further give close attention
to the due observance of the marriage laws, for in this matter the previously appointed visitors to the principality had reported grave laxity.
Some of the smaller principalities appointed but a single super intendent for their territory, who, instead of being answerable to a consistory, sat as spiritual member on the territorial council, whilst in towns the superintendent was summoned to the town council whenever Church matters arose for discussion. In larger states there were various classes of superintendents with their respective duties severally assigned.
In modern times the functions of the superintendent have been somewhat confused in consequence of the introduction into Lu theran Church theory of inconsistent elements of Presbyterian and synodal type.