.jpg "Pres. F. Pfotenhauer")
The “Lutheraner” in the service of our Synod.
The “Lutheraner,” which made its appearance three years before the formation of our Synod, was instrumental in bringing about the formation of our Synod. It was first, by God's grace, the instrument of the few faithful Lutherans who still wished to remain with the faith of Luther in America, getting to know each other and coming together.
-%20Polack,%20Story%20of%20Walther%20p%2069%20(crop)%20resized%2050pct.jpg "Dr. Sihler in younger years")
“It was a great joy for me in 1844,” writes Dr. Sihler in his autobiography [p. 39], “when the first number of the ‘Lutheraner’ appeared in St. Louis. … It filled me with great joy when I received the first number of the ‘Lutheraner,’ and after I had received the following numbers, I did not fail to recommend the paper to my congregations and to spread it in them; for such a paper was needed by the Lutherans of this country, who for the most part did not know what Lutheran was and why they called themselves Lutheran [p. 3] Christians. Naturally, I also came into close contact with the editor by letter.
%20crop.jpg "Pastor Friedrich Wyneken")
Of Pastor Friedrich Wyneken, Director Lindemann writes: “Just at that time when Wyneken had to defend Luther's teaching against his own synod” — the “Synod of the West” in Indiana and other states — “he received the first number of the ‘Lutheraner’ which had been published since September 1, 1844 in St. Louis by Pastor C. F. W. Walther. He had convinced himself that he had nothing to hope for from his synod; therefore that paper became an angel of comfort to him. As soon as he had glanced through it, he exclaimed with great joy: ‘Thank God, there are still more Lutherans in America!’ New hope animated him for the church of this land; he saw it become day after dark night.” (Dr. C. F. W. Walther, Lebensbild, p. 65.)
The “Lutheraner” then further suggested that the faithful Lutheran congregations and pastors unite in an orthodox synod, and gave the necessary instruction and the proper teaching about the purpose, task and institution of a truly Lutheran synod.
Thus, mainly through the work of the “Lutheraner”, our synod was founded in 1847. It immediately made this paper its organ at its first meeting and placed it at its service. We read about it in the first synod report as follows: “Now the deliberation of the synod turned to the 8th paragraph of the 5th chapter [of the drafted synod constitution], and the publication of an ecclesiastical journal as the organ of the synod was the next object. The gracious offer of the President to give the ‘Lutheran’ to the Synod for this purpose was accepted with thanks. The Synod decided that the present publisher should continue to be the editor of this journal; that the complete ownership of it should pass to the Synod with the beginning of the fourth year, and that the following should be added to the title: ‘Published by the German Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio and other states, edited by C. F. W. Walther’. In the instruction to be given to the editor, it shall be recommended to the same that more attention be paid than heretofore to the occurrences in the ecclesiastical field of this country.” (First Synod Report, p. 6.)
In the first chapter of its Constitution, the Synod stated the task it set for itself. It is briefly as follows: the spread of pure doctrine and the struggle against all false teaching; the encouragement of their congregations in knowledge of and faithful adherence to the Lutheran confession; united spread of the kingdom of God through teaching institutions, missionary work, and Christian literature.
Those who know the “Lutheraner” know how faithfully it helped the Synod in this work. From the beginning it distinguished itself by splendid doctrinal articles. With rare clarity, especially by Blessed Walther, the individual doctrines of the Holy Scriptures were treated and the rich treasure house of our dear Lutheran Church was again opened to thousands and thousands. Without fear of man, the finger was put on all false doctrines and everything was fearlessly rejected that was contrary to God's Word. Especially the “Lutheraner” fought bravely against all unionism and won over so many honest people who sighed in false believing synods, so that our synod grew mightily like a tree planted by the streams of water, which spreads its branches further and further. Through the ministry of the “Lutheraner” it happened that the Lutheran church developed wonderfully here in the distant Occident and exerted its salutary influence also on other church congregations.
And as the “Lutheraner” served the church in general, so also the individual congregations in our synod. Before the [p. 4] appearance of the “Lutheraner” it looked exceedingly sad in the so-called Lutheran congregations of this country. There were very few who had any idea of Lutheran doctrine and practice. Most of them flirted with the sects and cultivated pulpit and altar fellowship with them. Dr. Walther showed in the “Lutheraner” the proper form of a local Lutheran congregation independent of the state, emphasized its rights and duties, and so in the cities of our country, in the primeval forests and on the prairies, splendid congregations blossomed, which committed their pastors to the Lutheran confessions, in which God's Word led the scepter, and the growing youth was educated in Christian schools. Admittedly, this caused division in many congregations, but it was a blessed separation of light and darkness and a glorious victory of divine truth.
While on the one hand the “Lutheraner” fearlessly taught the pious to separate themselves from the wicked, and many a congregation was at first greatly reduced as a result, on the other hand it encouraged with ravishing eloquence the united spreading of the Kingdom of God near and far. The paper showed that our synod must do this by cultivating higher educational institutions and zealous missionary work. While in Germany the state was responsible for the education of future preachers and teachers, the “Lutheraner” informed its readers that this was the duty of Christian congregations and individual Christians. As a result, our educational institutions developed ever more splendidly. Soon a new college was founded in this place, soon in that. The number of our students grew into the hundreds, even thousands. And while it was customary for missionary work to be done by societies, the “Lutheraner” taught that this was a matter for the Christian congregation and each member of it. Thus one mission after another came into being, and the "Lutheran" could tell its readers of victories near and far, and bring long receipts of willing sacrifices for this work from the wide circles of our synod, and thereby spur the Christians on to new zeal.
In addition to this, the good Lord awakened men in our synod who were powerful enough to take up the pen and bring to light the buried treasures of our church, either in the old garb or in a new form, and to make them accessible to the people in books and tracts. Whenever a new book appeared from our printing press, the “Lutheraner” recommended it and emphasized its merits, and thus these glorious books reached the study rooms of preachers and teachers and the homes of Christians and promoted knowledge and godliness.
Yes, indeed, the “Lutheraner” has proved to be a faithful servant of our Synod in its work during the long years. When the Lord gave us rest from our enemies, He did glorious work of peace, and when we had to go into the fray, His trumpet gave a bright sound. May the Lord further keep this paper by its motto: “God's Word and Luther's Doctrine Pure, Shall to Eternity Endure.” and may He bless our Synod’s work through His ministrations! F. Pf.
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