The liturgical conflict and the peace movement of the Reformed church in the United States as exhibited by the official records of the General synod

Front matter

3 O

Eer. L. H. KEFAUVER, D.D. Rev. F. NY. KREMER, D.D. Rev. JOHN KUELLING, D.D. Rev. P. G REDING, D.D.

Elder L. H. STEINER, M.D. Rev. THOS. G. APPLE, D.D. Rev. J. H. GOOD, D.D. Elder R. F. KELKER.

Preface

This compilation, made from the official records of proceedings of the General Synod of the Church, presents an authentic history of the Peace Commission and of the Liturgical Committee.

The Church of the present time, its theological professors, ministers, and laymen, are hereby reminded of the results of the labor of these two bodies, and of the extreme satisfaction and relief experienced by all who had the true interests of our Reformed Zion at heart.

During the years of controversy our Home and Foreign Mission work languished, our people were disheartened, our congregations in many instances were divided. A number of our ministers passed over into the Roman Catholic Church, and others found a home in the Protestant Episcopal, Methodist Episcopal, Presbyterian, and other churches. Hundreds of the laity, wearied with controversy, who had their own and their children's spiritual interests at heart, found refuge in sister churches, carrying with them their earthly substance and their influence, and are now found among the most active members and supporters of the faith in their new church homes. With peace came union and prosperity in every department — a great and decided advance along the whole Mne. Our Home Mission work was greatly enlarged, and our Foreign Mission work received an impulse which has blessed it (when we consider the few missionaries we sent abroad and the amount of money disbursed) in a measure equal to, and in many instances far exceeding in proportion, the success of that of any other denomination in the foreign

iii iv field. But a cloud has appeared on the horizon, which, although now no bigger than a man's hand, unless dissipated by prompt and decisive action by the General Synod, portends trouble and disaster. Nine of the twelve elders and three of the twelve ministers who were members of the Peace and Liturgical Committees have gone to their reward. Old issues which were believed and accepted as settled, are being ^renewed. The Constitution of the Church, which is our organic law, and the provisions of which cannot be lawfully set aside by mere resolutions of Synod, have all along been persistently violated by many ministers and elders. The Order of Worship, which, by resolution of Synod at the time, was permitted to be used, with a clear understanding, only as a provisional book, continues to be used by many ministers, although the Directory of Worship was unanimously adopted by the Liturgical Committee and constitutionally adopted by the Classes, and formally declared by General Synod as the book of the Church. Nor is this all : the Publication Board of the Pittsburg, East, and Potomac Synods has issued and continues to sell the Order of Worship after the lawful adoption of the Directory of Worship. Hundreds of persons are still admitted to membership in the Reformed Church according to the Order of Worship without answering a single question required by the Constitution. No such person has any personal or property rights in the congregation into which they have thus been unlawfully received, nor can they ever be disciplined by a consistory should they prove unfaithful to their religious profession. The questions referred to, and to which the Constitution requires an affirmative answer, constitute the very foundation of the Protestant Reformed faith. Every minister of the Reformed Church by his ordination vows, as well as every elder by his, has most solemnly bound himself to obey the Constitution, and how any one resting under such a vow can persistently ignore and disobey it, is a matter of profound astonishment to every unprejudiced mind.

V

A refuge from such inconsistency and dilemma was sought in Articles 127 and 135 of a proposed new Constitution prepared after years of labor and submitted to the Classes. The Church by a kind Providence was saved by its rejection. By its provisions, persons were to be admitted to membership according to "the order prescribed by the Liturgy of the Church" and " no Order of Worship" "should be observed unless approved or recommended by the General Synod." The Constitution itself should, as our present one does, definitely provide for the manner in which a person should be admitted to all the privileges and immunities of the Church, and the matter should not be left to partisan feelings, which might at any time move the General Synod by a mere majority of votes to " approve or recommend" and in that manner attempt to justify, the use of a Liturgy or Order of Worship which had not previously been adopted by a two-thirds vote of the Classes. If the Constitution of the Church had been strictly adhered to, and no Book of Worship allowed to be introduced into the congregations until it had been constitutionally adopted, the confusion that has existed since 1858 would never have occurred. The permission to use provisional books only tends to create parties in the congregation, and puts it in the power of partisan ministers of the Church to perpetuate this confusion to the detriment of its peace and of all vital religion.

Especially should all our theological seminaries and colleges render strict obedience to our Constitution. Loyalty to it, and the Church whose organic law it is, should be inculcated. They should not assume to direct the public worship of the students, or of any body of Christians, in accordance with their personal views.

Those who are professors in these institutions are the servants of the Church, bound by the most solemn oath to observe its ordinances, and a righteous God will require an account hereafter from them, as to the manner in which they have led or misled the young aspirant to the Christian minisvi try. Disloyalty at these fountain heads is a seed that will germinate in the young mind, and if tolerated in the least degree will work trouble and disaster to the Church.

May our Heavenly Father in his infinite mercy incline the hearts of those brethren who seem so unwilling to obey the voice of the Classes and of the General Synod, and so unwilling to surrender personal views for the good of the whole Church, now to acquiesce, and to show the same blessed spirit of love and compromise which filled the hearts of the Peace Commissioners.

In the essentials of religion our ministry and our people are one. Why should non-essentials separate brethren ? Our dear Redeemer said, u Blessed are the peacemakers " ; as to the peacebreakers, we are left to infer what he would say of them. The Reformed Church at large desires peace and quiet. For thirty years she was disturbed by theological controversy, often conducted by personalities unworthy of the Christian name. The opposing combatants themselves grew weary of the conflict ; the Church mourned ; the prayers of God 's people prevailed, and measures were instituted which brought the long-sought-for harmony. The Doxology was sung by Synod after Synod, and General Synod, filled with joy, took up the sacred Te Deum, and the entire Church responded with praise and with renewed activity in Christian work. Let no brother now, whether as professor, pastor, or layman, bring back discord, but, yielding personal notions as to cultus or government, join hand and heart in furthering the kingdom of Christ and the prosperity of the Martyr Church of the Reformation. Amen.

Rudolph F. Kelker.

Harrisburg, Pa., March 21, 1896.

Part I. The Liturgical Conflict

The Liturgical Conflict and the Peace Movement

IN THE

REFORMED CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES.

Part I. The Liturgical Conflict.

THE FIRST SESSION OF THE GENERAL SYNOD.

The question or questions involved had been discussed even before the General Synod of the Reformed Church in the United States was organized. General Synod was organized and held its first session in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania (Grace Church, corner Grant and Webster streets ) r November 18-25, 1863, " in conformity with arrangements previously adopted." The opening sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. J. W. Nevin, and the election of officers resulted as follows:

Rev. John W. Nevin, D.D., Lancaster, Pennsylvania,, President.

Rev. Moses Kieffer, D.D., Tiffin, Ohio, Vice-President. Rev. Daniel Zacharias, Frederick, Maryland, Vice-President.

Rev. Isaac H. Reiter, Miamisburg, Ohio, Secretary. Rev. George W. Williard, Dayton, Ohio, Corresponding Secretary.

Mr. John Wiest, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Treasurer.

In the minutes of this the first session of General Synod, in the report of the Committee on Minutes of the Synods, the following items appear:

Item 1, minutes 1863, page 12; minutes of the Synod of the German Reformed Church of Ohio and Adjacent States, 13 : " In view of the fact that a great variety of Liturgies are in use in different portions of the Church, the Synod has adopted the following resolutions :

" ' 1. Resolved, That this Synod feels the necessity of a Liturgy that can be brought into general use throughout the entire Church, so as to secure uniformity of worship.

" ' 2. Resolved, That this Synod is opposed to the continued use of the Provisional Liturgy as such, and would request the General Synod so to modify it as to enable us to introduce it into our congregations.

" ' 3. Resolved, That should the Provisional LituTgy not admit of such modification, the General Synod be earnestly requested to take such measures at once to provide a Liturgy adapted to the wants of the Church.

'"4. Resolved, That in case the General Synod does not feel prepared to act in this matter, it be requested to allow us to provide a Liturgy which, in our opinion, will be adapted to the wants of our Church, and that a committee of five be appointed to go forward in this work, should the contingency arise.' "

This was " referred to a special committee consisting of Rev. G. W. Williard, Dr. J. Bossard, T. G. Apple, and G. B. Russell, and Elders Dr. S. B. Kieffer and T, W. Chapman." (Pages 13 and 14.)

On Tuesday afternoon, November 24, "the committee on the subject of the Liturgy submitted their report. [ Page 27.] After considerable earnest discussion, a substitute was offered for the whole report. This substitute demanded the appointment of a committee, whose duty it should be to so revise and modify the Provisional Liturgy as to adapt it to the wants of the whole Church. On this form of the question the greater part of the discussion of the whole subject was based. Pending this subject the Synod adjourned to meet this evening at seven o'clock."

"Tuesday Evening, November 24, 7 o'clock.

"The Synod met and was opened with singing and prayer.

"The subject of the Liturgy, pending at adjournment, was resumed, and continued under discussion during the whole of the evening session, without arriving at any conclusive results. Synod adjourned." "

November 25. " Synod met. The regular order of business was taken up for further consideration. An amendment to the substitute was now offered and entertained. This amendment directed the committee called for in the substitute to make the revision of the Provisional Liturgy on the basis of the specific instructions originally and repeatedly given to the Liturgical Committee of the Eastern Synod. At this stage of the proceedings, and while the amendment was under discussion, the Synod adjourned." ( Pages 27 and 28.)

" Wednesday, November 25, 2 o'clock p.m.

"Synod met. The order of business, the subject of the Liturgy, was resumed, and after some further discussion the amendment to the substitute was voted upon and carried. The substitute, as amended, was then considered and discussed and finally voted down.

"The original report, as submitted by the committee, was thereupon again taken into consideration, slightly amended, and finally adopted :

" 1 The committee on the subject of the Liturgy, as referred to this Synod by the Synod of Ohio and Adjacent States, would respectfully report :

" ' That they have given the subject the attention and consideration which its importance demands. They find the subject encumbered with many difficulties, in view of the diversity of sentiment in reference to the liturgical question. In the opinion of a majority of the committee it is thought that should a modification of the Provisional Liturgy be pressed upon the Synod at the present time, there might be as much opposition to such modifications in certain portions of the Church as there is now against the Liturgy in its present form, so that we would have as much diversity as now exists. Hence, the committee would recommend the following action :

" ' Resolved, That the request of the Synod of Ohio and adjacent States be granted, namely, that they be allowed to prepare a Liturgy which, in their judgment, may be better adapted to the wants of the Church. And,

" ' Whereas, the Eastern Synod has also been engaged for a number of years in preparing a Liturgy adapted to the wants of the Church, and their work has not yet been finally revised ; therefore,

" ' Resolved, That it be recommended to the Eastern Synod to go forward in the work of revising its Liturgy according to its own judgment, so that the General Synod may have before it also the Liturgy of the Eastern Synod in its complete form, in which they may desire it finally to appear, with a view to final action on the whole subject.' " 1 ( Page 29.)

1 At this time there were only two Synods, which had united to form the General Synod. Their official names were: "Synod of the German Reformed Church in the United States" (colloquially called Eastern Synod) and "The Synod of the German Reformed Church of Ohio and Adjacent States."

SECOND TRIENNIAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL SYNOD.

Dayton, Ohio, November 28 -December 7, 1866. Rev. Daniel Zacharias, President.

The Committee on the Minutes of the General Synod reported among other things : " Item 6. The action of the General Synod touching the preparation of a Liturgy by the Synod of Ohio and the revision of the Provisional Liturgy prepared by the Eastern Synod."

When this report was being considered, " item 6, having reference to the subject of the Liturgy, was laid on the table until the Standing Committee on the Minutes of the District Synods reports." (Pages 15 and 56.) This committee reported:

"The Synod of the German Reformed Church in the United States has, in accordance with the recommendations of this Synod, completed its revision of the Provisional Liturgy and authorized its optional use in the place of the Provisional Liturgy within its bounds, until the whole subject be finally disposed of, and refers the same to this Synod for action.

" Item 8. The Synod of Ohio and Adjacent States has, according to the permission given it by this Synod, gone forward with the preparation of a Liturgy adapted to the wants of the Church within its bounds, and has instructed its committee on the Liturgy to report to this Synod so much of the work as has come under its revision and ask of this Synod permission to continue its labors in this respect." ( Page 59.)

" Items 7 and 8, together with all matters having reference to the subject of the Liturgy," were referred to a special committee, consisting of Revs. Dr. Daniel Gans,

David Winters, Dr. Samuel R. Fisher, Prof. Jeremiah H. Good, John Beck, and Elders Edward Swander, Valentine C. Tidball, Adam B. Wingerd, and David C. Hammond.

" In this connection, the report of the Western Committee on the Liturgy was submitted, and, having been read, was received and referred to the same special committee, and is as follows :

" ' The Liturgical Committee of the Synod of Ohio and Adjacent States respectfully submits the following report :

" 'The General Synod having refused to modify the Provisional Liturgy as requested by the Synod of Ohio and Adjacent States, and permitted it, in consequence thereof, to prepare a Liturgy which might be so adapted to the wants of the Church within its bounds as to be brought in general use and thus secure uniformity in its worship, its committee on the subject of the Liturgy at once proceeded to the work for which it was appointed, adopting as the basis for the new Liturgy the Liturgies of the Reformed Church of the Reformation period. As the members of the committee resided at a distance from each other, it was impossible to have as frequent meetings as was desired and necessary to facilitate the work. In consequence of this difficulty, in connection with others not necessary here to be referred to, the work has not progressed as rapidly as was expected. A number of forms, however, have been prepared and published, the optional use of which has been authorized by the Synod of Ohio and Adjacent States within its bounds.

" ' It is also due to the committee to state that the accompanying report, as will be seen by the note with which it is prefaced, is very imperfect and incomplete, and was published to report progress, supply what was felt to be a pressing want, and furnish the Synod some samples of the character of the work in course of preparation.

"'The committee was also instructed to request this Synod to allow it to continue its labors in this respect.

" ' With these remarks, which seem to be necessary to place the subject in its proper light, we respectfully submit to this Synod the accompanying report, which will show the progress which the Synod of Ohio and Adjacent States has made in providing a Liturgy adapted to the wants of the Church within its bounds.

(Signed by the Committee,) " ' J. Lichtenstein.

u ' Max Stern.

u ' Geo. W. Williard.

"'J. H. Klein.'"

On motion the Synod

" Resolved, That the general subject of the Liturgy, as it will come before the Synod through its committee, shall be made the special order of the day for Tuesday (December 4) at the opening of the afternoon session." (Page 62.)

Tuesday, December 4, 2:30 o'clock p.m., Synod met, and after singing and prayer "the special order of the day, being the reception and consideration of the report of the committee on the subject of the Liturgy, was taken up. The committee submitted their report, which was read and received and is as follows :

" ' THE COMMITTEE'S, OR MAJORITY, REPORT.

" 1 The Committee on Liturgy beg leave to submit the following report :

" ' Whereas, It is most desirable and important that the movement in the German Reformed Church in reference to liturgical worship should be left to work out its legitimate result in a free and untrammeled way : and in view, moreover, of the fact that the Western Synod has not yet finished the work which it has in hand and asks still further time for its completion, which in the nature of the case precludes the possibility of referring the subject to the Classes at the present time; therefore,

" 'Resolved, 1. That the Western Synod, in conformity with its own request, be authorized to continue its labors in preparing a Liturgy.

"'Resolved, 2. That the Revised Liturgy reported to this Synod by the Eastern Synod, according to the directions of the General Synod of Pittsburg, entitled an " Order of Worship for the Reformed Church," be and is hereby allowed as an Order of Worship proper to be used in the congregations and families of the Reformed Church.

" 'Resolved, 3. That this action is not designed to interfere in any way with that freedom which is now enjoyed in regard to the Liturgy, by all such ministers and congregations as may not be prepared to introduce it in whole or in part. (Signed,) "'D. Gans.

"'Samuel R. Fisher.

'"John Beck.

'"D. C. Hammond.

"'A. B. Wingerd.'

"A motion was made and seconded for the adoption of the report. As, however, the committee disagreed, a report from the minority of the committee was presented by Rev. Prof. Jeremiah H. Good, which, on motion, was received as an amendment to the report of the committee, and is as follows :

" ' REPORT OF THE MINORITY OF THE COMMITTEE.

" ' The undersigned, a minority of the Committee on the Liturgy, are unable to agree with the conclusions at which the majority of the committee have arrived, and therefore beg leave respectfully to submit to the consideration of the Synod the following minority report :

" ' The undersigned believe that it is our bounden duty, as a General Synod of the German Reformed Church in the United States, to express, regretfully, but firmly, our decided disapprobation to the introduction, for use in the Reformed churches, of the Revised Liturgy or Order of Worship, submitted to this body by the Eastern Synod, They are of opinion that the action of the General Synod of Pittsburg, and of the Eastern Synod of York, Pennsylvania, evidently contemplated, and that the Constitution of the Church plainly requires, that this Synod should express either its approval or disapproval of the work ; and that, if approved by this Synod, it should then be sent down to the Classes for their approval or rejection.

" 1 We recommend, therefore, that this General Synod should calmly and seriously examine and discuss this work, so far reaching in its aims, and so vital in character, with an earnest prayer by all, that God may so guide, direct, and illuminate our minds and hearts by his Holy Spirit, that we may arrive at a conclusion that shall be in accordance with his holy will.

"'The undersigned believe, unless farther discussion and investigation shall be able to remove or modify these objections, that this Synod should not endorse this work as the authorized Order of Worship in the German Reformed Church, for the following reasons :

" ' 1. It involves an exceedingly great change in our Order of Worship, amounting, in fact, to a fundamental revolution of such order as has been observed in our Church during the whole period of its existence in America.

" 1 2. It is not in accordance with the original character and genius of the German Reformed Church, as this is manifested in the Palatinate and other Reformed Liturgies of the sixteenth century.

" 1 3. It is not in accordance with the historical tradition of the German Reformed Church.

" 1 4. It is not in accordance with the present circumstances and needs of the German Reformed Church.

" ' 5. It is believed that there is very little prospect of its successful introduction among the great body of our congregations; and that the persistent attempt thus to introduce it will only issue in failure in the end.

" ' 6. It will be the cause of loss, strife, division, and schism in our congregations.

" ' 7. Its tendency will be to merge gradually a large portion of our body in that of another denomination.

" ' 8. Another tendency flowing from its use will be to unsettle the foundations of our Church in regard to church government.

" l 9. Connected with this, it will tend to unsettle the foundations of our beloved Zion in respect to its established doctrines.

" ' 10. It is believed that some of the doctrines contained in this work are decidedly not in accordance with the doctrines of our Confession of Faith.

" ' 11. We think it will ultimately, if not immediately, infringe upon the Christian liberty of ministers and people.

" 4 12. It will more and more separate us from sister denominations of the Reformed faith with whom we are most closely allied, and in respect to whom we yearn for a closer union.

" ' 13. It does not pay due respect to the German Reformed Church of the past, "the mother of us all."

" ' 14. The system which it attempts to introduce is one, however beautiful in itself, and adapted in some cases to intelligent and educated congregations, wholly unsuited to the great body of our plain people.

" ' 15. Finally, we think that its influence on ministers and people, on the work of missions, on the increase of ministers, on the growth of the Church, on charity among ourselves, and the work of grace in the hearts of our people, will be of very doubtful benefit.

" ' We, therefore, recommend the adoption of the following resolutions :

u ' 1. Resolved, That whilst the ability and zeal displayed in the preparation of the Revised Liturgy, or Order of Worship, submitted to the General Synod by the Eastern Synod are fully appreciated, its introduction into the Church would involve such essential changes in our cultus and doctrines that we cannot give it our approval.

"'2. Resolved, That the Revised Liturgy, together with the Provisional Liturgy of the Eastern Synod, and such material as the Liturgical Committee of the Western Synod may have prepared, be referred to a special committee, to be appointed by this Synod, with instructions to prepare such an Order of Worship (or Liturgy) as shall be in harmony with the doctrinal and devotional principles and genius of the German Reformed Church, and adapted to her present needs and circumstances ; this committee to report the result of its labors at the next meeting of General Synod.

" 1 3. Resolved, That in the prosecution of their work the committee shall be guided by the following principles :

(1) The doctrines of the German Reformed Church, as set forth in the Heidelberg Catechism and the Liturgical Worship of the Reformation period, as set forth in the Palatinate Liturgy of 1563, and other Reformed Liturgies, shall be made the general basis of the proposed Liturgy.

(2) Those portions of the Liturgy which are most frequently used, such as the morning and evening service on the Lord's Day, the celebration of the Lord's supper, baptism, etc., shall embrace several forms, agreeing in substance and spirit, so as to adapt them the more readily to the varied conditions and wants of our congregations at the present time.

" ' (3) The Liturgy shall be so constructed as not to interfere with the proper use of extemporaneous prayer, either in public or in private ; but rather so as to regulate, improve, and promote it.

"'(4) The committee shall take measures to submit their work to the General Synod, in both English and German languages ; in rendering the work into the German language, full liberty shall be given to do it in a free way, so that the work may have all the purity, propriety, and unction of language to adapt it to the wants of our increasing number of German congregations.

(Signed,) " ' J. H. Good.

" ' D. Winters.

" ' Edw. Swander.

" 1 V. C. TlDBALL.'

"Now, on this form of the subject of the Liturgy, namely on the amendment, a full, interesting, and earnest discussion commenced and proceeded.

u Pending the question, the Synod adjourned until seven •o'clock in the evening."

"Tuesday, December 4, 7 o'clock p.m."

After the usual opening exercise, " the subject of the Liturgy, pending at the adjournment, was resumed, and continued under discussion the whole of the evening session.

" Pending the question, the Synod adjourned to meet to-morrow morning at nine o'clock."

" Wednesday, December 5, 9 o'clock a.m."

Synod met and was opened in the usual manner.

"The subject of the Liturgy, pending at the adjournment on last evening, was resumed, and the discussion continued during the whole of the morning session.

"Pending the question, the Synod adjourned to meet at the fixed hour in the afternoon."

" Wednesday, December 5, 2: 30 o'clock p.m."

The Synod met and session was opened in the accustomed manner.

"The subject of the Liturgy, pending at the adjournment, was continued under discussion during the afternoon session.

" Pending the question, the Synod adjourned until seven o'clock this evening."

At seven o'clock " the subject of the Liturgy, pending at the adjournment, was continued under discussion during the evening session.

"At this stage of the discussion, and just previous to adjournment, it was, on motion,

" 1 Resolved, That no member of Synod shall be permitted to speak more than once on the question in hand, excepting Rev. Prof. J. H. Good and Rev. Dr. D. Gans, who opened the discussion; each of whom shall be privileged with a closing speech of fifteen minutes.'

"Pending the question, the Synod adjourned until to-morrow morning at nine o'clock."

" Thursday, December 6, 9 o'clock a.m."

Synod met; session begun with the accustomed exercises.

"The subject of the Liturgy, pending at adjournment on last evening, was resumed, and the discussion continued during the morning session, the regular time being extended a half an hour."

" Thursday, December 6, 2 o'clock p.m.

"The subject of the Liturgy, pending at the adjournment, was resumed and continued under discussion during the afternoon session. The hour of adjournment having arrived, on motion the time was extended a half an hour. Thereupon, according to resolution, the closing speeches of fifteen minutes each were made and the discussion, after continuing for two and a half days, was brought to a close at five o'clock p.m.

" On motion,

" ' Resolved, That, in view of the importance of the subject, the Synod spend half an hour in prayer, before the vote be taken.'

"But before carrying this resolution into effect, and pending the question, the Synod adjourned until seven o'clock this evening. Benediction by the President." (Pages 70-75.)

At seven o'clock the Synod met and " according to resolution spent rralf an hour in devotional services, consisting in singing and prayer. The previous question was called, and sustained; and the minority and majority reports having been read, the Synod proceeded to vote by yeas and nays on the amendment, with the following result: Yeas, 55; nays, 66.