The American Lutheran church, historically, doctrinally and practically delineated

Front matter

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COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT

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Preface

In offering this work to the public, it is proper that some of the considerations which have actuated the publishers, should be stated. The title itself is significant of the subject on which it treats. The true history, real character, present position, and distinctive features of the Lutheran Church in the world, are little known, often misunderstood, and sometimes grossly misrepresented in this country.

Among the causes which may be assigned for this, we mention the want of a proper knowledge of Church History in general, and of Protestantism in particular; non-acquaintance with the German language, and, it is to be feared, denominational bigotry.

The Lutheran Church was the first to throw off the yoke of ecclesiastical tyranny, and break the scepter of religious despotism; to maintain the great Protestant principle, that the Bible is the only infallible rule of faith and practice ; to assert the right of private judgment in the interpretation

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of the Scriptures; and to proclaim the doctrine of Justification of Faith alone, as the foundation of a "standing and falling church." Her institutions are second to none on earth; and her literature, embracing every subject of religious inquiry, is the glory of Christendom, furnishing an antidote to false philosophy and rationalism on the one hand, and to vulgar infidelity on the other.

Her fundamental doctrines are those of the Reformation, found, in their essential aspects, in all the symbols of Protestantism.

Her peculiarities place her in a medium position in Church extremes — in doctrine, worship, rites, and government. Her territory of operation is extended over a large portion of the globe, embracing more than thirty millions of human beings, constituting nearly one-half of Protestantism, and the hope of much of the world.

Her history is intimately interwoven with that of the Reformation of the sixteenth century, furnishing lessons of wisdom and experience to instruct and encourage, as well as of presumption and folly to warn and rebuke. All God's dealings with her should teach all her sons, that she was planted, watered, and preserved by Him.

But the volume before us treats of the " American Lutheran Church." This is a branch of the same vine, planted here more than a century ago, by the right hand of the Lord. Although labor-

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ing under many disadvantages, arising from the union of Church and State in Europe, the oppressions of their governments, the unsettled state of this country, and the want of a knowledge of its language, she has nevertheless overcome many of them, and extended herself far and wide over our land. The number of her ministers and membership has been doubled every fifteen years, by natural increase and immigration ; so that she is already in number the third Protestant denomination in the United States.

Notwithstanding all this, the remark made- at the beginning of this Preface is true, that much ignorance exists, and constant misrepresentations take place, relative to the Lutheran Church in the United States. Although information has been spread through her periodicals and publications, in this country, there is none in which so full and satisfactory an account of the Lutheran Church in America can be found as in the present volume.

The First Discourse embraces a history of the rise and progress of the Church in this country.

The Second presents her characteristic features — the peculiarities by which she is distinguished from other branches of the Protestant family.

The Third gives a biography of her founders, here, showing us the extent of their labors, the soundness of their doetrin d views, the sincerity of the '■■-' i Hindi f their knowledge, the

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wisdom of their measures, and the success of their labors.

The Fourth discusses the nature of the Saviour's presence in the Lord's Supper, in which the corporal presence of Christ's human nature is denied, and his spiritual presence, according to his divine nature, is maintained.

The Fifth discusses the question pertaining to her doctrinal basis and ecclesiastical position, in this country; showing that it is neither rigid symbolism, binding the conscience to the letter of every doctrine and statement contained in the whole of the symbolical books, nor loose latitudinarianism, discarding all creeds but the adoption of the Augsburg Confession and Luther's Smaller Catechism, as teaching the fundamental doctrines of the word of God, "in a manner substantially correct."

The Sixth points out her vocation, calling upon her to realize her obligations, to take warning from past errors, to guard against present dangers, to develope her various resources, to advance her spiritual interests, and to extend her blessings to all her children.

The Author, the Rev. Dr. S. S. Schmucker, has been, for twenty years, Professor of Theology in the Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. In the Lutheran Church he is extensively

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and favorably known ; and no man in this country has done more than he to elevate her character, and to advance her welfare. As a writer, he is able and clear. His style is chaste and easy, and his arguments strong and convincing. His " Fraternal Appeal" to the American churches on Christian union, is a master-piece, which, with his other theological and philosophical works, has made him extensively known, beyond the bounds of his own church, both in America and England.

We deem it proper to state, that the Author has no pecuniary interest in the appearance of these Discourses, having given his consent gratuitously to their republication. To render the work more acceptable, we have inserted his likeness, having had it engraved expressly for this volume.

In the hope that it may awaken, among Lutherans, a stronger attachment to their church, and draw forth their benevolence in supplying her wants ; give correct information to all who may desire to become better acquainted with the American shoot of the trunk of Protestantism; strengthen the hands of our self-denying ministers in all their trials; and encourage the hearts of many of our people, who are yet destitute, and as sheep without a shepherd ; we send it forth, praying that the Great Head of the Church, without

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whose favor nothing can prosper, would own and bless it to the sanctification and salvation of many souls.

D. HARBAUGH, J. B. BUTLER.

Springfield, Ohio, August, 1851.

Contents

I. DISCOURSE.

RETROSPECT OF LUTHER ANISM IN THE UNITED STATES. A DIS COURSE DELIVERED BEFORE THE GENERAL SYNOD AT BALTI- MORE, 1841 ; AND PUBLISHED BY SAID BODY FOR GRATUITOUS DISTRIBUTION, 11

II. DISCOURSE.