GERMAN EVANGELICAL SYNOD OF NORTH AMERICA. This Synod is based on the union between the two great branches of Protestantism—the theran and the Reformed Church, as the same was effected since 1817 in the different German states. The founders of the Evangelical Synod were sionaries, sent during the third decade of the teenth century to America by the Mission Houses of Basel and Barmen. These two institutions are supported alike by Lutherans and Reformed Con-. gregations in Germany and Switzerland, and both denominations are also represented in the Board of Directors. It was therefore only natural for the pupils of these schools to organize a church here in America as siriular as possible to their mother church in Germany. On October 15, 1134% seven of these missionaries assembled at Gravois Settlement, near St. Louis, Mo., and organized as an association, which has become known as The German Evangelical Synod of North America.
(1) Doctrine. The following declaration of faith was adopted by the founders and still serves as its confessional basis: "The German Evangeli cal Synod of North America means by the term Evangelical Church that church community which acknowledges the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament as the Word of God, and as the only true and infallible standard of Christian doc trines and precepts (1) and accepts as its con fession that interpretation of the Holy Scriptures which is laid down in the symbolic books of the Lutheran and Reformed Churches, among which the Augsburg Confession, Luther's Minor and Nlajor Catechism, and the Heidelberg Catechism are the principal ones, so far as they agree; but in points of difference the German Evangelical Synod adheres solely to the passages of Holy Scriptures alluding to them, observing that lib erty of conscience existing in the Evangelical Church." According to these articles of faith the German Evangelical Synod accepts as its doctrine the con sensus fidci of the Lutheran and Reformed Churches. We confess, in entire harmony with the Church of the Reformation, God as the Al mighty Creator of heaven and earth ; his omni present providence in the guidance of men ; the doctrine of the fall of man, of original sin, of redemption through the atoning blood of Christ ; and the Chrikology, as the same was formed by the ecumenical councils of the first centuries. We confess that sanctification is not our work, but is initiated by the agency of the Holy Spirit, by means of the Divine word and the sacraments, and is a process that reaches its end only with the close of life. This declaration expresscs the union of the Lutheran and Reformed branches of prot estantism. As is well known, both have always agreed in all fundamental doctrines of Christian life and faith, and on all subjects and facts clear ly expressed and stated in the Holy Scriptures, and on all articles of faith pertaining to our sal vation. The controversy between the two Ger man denominations centers around the doctrine of the Lord's Supper. (2) Our position on this
question is the following: The German Evan gelical Synod believes and confesses, that in the Holy Supper the faithful and penitent communi cant receives in the bread and wine the body and the precious blood of Christ and therewith for giveness of sins, life and salvation ; but the unbe liever and unworthy receives damnation. The other question: H OW is this done? how is it pos sible ? how is this miracle performed? the Synod leaves unanswered, since the Scripture gives us no explanation. But we believe in the fact, in the actuality of the miracle; we believe that bread and wine in the Holy Supper is the body and the blood of Christ. for Christ plainly said so.
(2) Polity. Every congregation binds itself voluntarily to the doctrine and precepts as laid down in the statutes of the German Evangelical Synod, when it joins that body.
Our relation toward other churches has ever been governed by the so-called Augustine motto: "In neeessariis unitas. in dubiis libertas, in om nibus caritas." We show friendly interest in all undertakings for a confederation of different de nominations such as the International Evangelical Alliance, and prior to that organization the "Evanglischer Kirchentag" in Germany. We sup port international Bible associations and like work in different directions.
Let us say a few words on the management of our Church. Every congregation is independent in its local affairs ; the Synod acts more in the character of a counsellor or adviser. A number of congregations within certain geographical boundaries constitute a "district," whose ministers and lay delegates meet annually in a district con ference. All the districts meet together in the "General Synod," which is composed of one out of every nine ministers, and one lay delegate out of every nine congregations, elected at district conferences. It convenes every three years.
(3) Institutions. The Synod owns a theolog ical seminary founded I85o at Marthasville, Mo., removed to St. Louis, Mo., 1883. The preparatory college for students purposing to enter the theo logical seminary is at Elmhurst, Ill. It was found ed T871. In connection with the college is the seminary for the education of teachers for our parochial schools.
The German Evangelical Synod has its own mission field in the Central Province of India. There are seven missionaries and fifty native preachers. The annual expense is about $zo,000, while a much larger sum is expended for home rnissions. A harbor mission in Baltimore, Md., for the benefit of emigrants, has been during the last ten years a blessing to many. There are orphanages at Detroit, hlich.; at: Chicago, Bensen zille, and Hazleton, Ill.; at St. Louig, Mo.; and rt Lincoln, Neb. ; also deaconess homes in seven of the states. Eden Publishing House is at St. Louis, Mo., and publishes all kinds of church papers and books of worship. The official organ is the -"Fricderisbote," with a circulation of 25,000, be sides which are seven other papers. F. M.