nurnrlliu m4rnlngiral ly Continuing LEHRE UND VVEHRE MAGAZIN FUER Ev.~LuTH. HOMILETIK THEOLOGICAL QUARTERL Y ~ THEOLOGICAL MONTHLY Vol. XII March, 1941 No.3 CONTENTS Page The Altenburg Debate. P. E. I{retzmanll ---------------________________________________ 161 Making the Sermon Interesting. John H. C. Fritz ______________________________ 173 The Resurrection of Saints at the Death of Christ. Martin Graebner 182 New Validations of Theism. Theodore Graebner ___________________________________ 188 Outlines 011 the Wuerttemberg Gospel Selections _____________________________ 195 Miscellanea --------------------------_______________________________________________________________________________ 207 Theological Observer. - Kirchlich-Zeitgeschichtliches . ____ .. ___ . _________ 219 Book Review. - Literatur __ .. _____________________________________ .____________________________________ 233 Ein Prediger muss nieht alIein wei- den, also dass er die Schafe unter- weise, wie sie rechte Christen sollen sein, sondern auchdaneben den Woel- fen wehren, dass sie dieSchafe nicht angreifen und mit falscher Lehre ver- fuehren und Irrtum einfuehren. Luther Es ist kein Ding, das die Leute mehr bel del' Kirche behaelt denn die gute Predigt. - Apologie, Art. 24 If the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? -1 Cor. 14:8 Published for the Ev. Luth. Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States CONCORDIA PUBLISHING HOUSE, St. Louis, Mo. Book Review - 2iteratur 233 Book Review - £ltcttltUt All books reviewed in this periodical may be procured from or through Con- cordia Publishing House, 3558 S. Jefferson Ave., St. Lotds, Mo. The Science of Biblical Hel·meneutics. By R. T. Chafer. Bibliotheca Sacra, Dallas, Tex. 92 pages, 61J4X91J4. Price, $1.00. For many years Dr. R. T. Chafer was professor of Apologetics and Hermeneutics at the Dallas Theological Seminary. His manual of Biblical Hermeneutics, a formal theological science, sorely neglected in many American theological circles, bears ample testimony to his simple, childlike faith in Christ. He treats the hermeneutical material under such heads as "A Historical Sketch," "Axioms of General Hermeneutics," "Four Prerequisites," "Relation of Logic to Scripture Interpretation," "General Rules of Interpretation," "Treatment of Figurative Language," "Accommodation, Rightly and Wrongly Understood," "Interpretation of Prophecy." For his work he claims no originality, since he follows in a general way Prof. M. Cellerier's Manual of Biblical He1'meneutics (translated by Elliott and Harsha); nevertheless it is worthy of careful study also by such as cannot agree to his ardently defended millen- nialistic views. Sound Biblical interpretation, he declares, must lead the Bible student to a belief in the millennium, and he endeavors to prove this by appealing to basic hermeneutic principles. But with the same conviction the amillennialist is bound to repudiate such interpreta- tion as contradictory to sound hermeneutics. The writer thus argues that, whereas prophecy is a "harmonious whole" (?), and whereas such prophecy as has been fulfilled has been fulfilled literally (? ), therefore all prophecy as yet unfulfilled must be fulfilled literally, too; wherefore a ~illennium must be expected since prophecy predicts an era of con- summate peace and good will on earth. Such reasoning, however, is basically incorrect. The author's chapter on the "Relation of Logic to Scripture," especially the part devoted to the inductive method and its application to unfulfilled prophecy, appears as a misguided endeavor to prove the millennium from certain Biblical "particulars," which actually exclude the idea of a millennium. Other chapters, however, are more acceptable than those which champion millennialism. The one on "Accommodation," in which the author points out the "tricks of trade" which Modernists employ to do away with the doctrines of the Christian faith, is very fine. Another serious mistake, however, occurs when Dr. Chafer distinguishes between three degrees of authority in the inspired Biblical record (pp. 35, 36). He fails to see that this distinction annuls the very concept of Biblical inspiration and authority. Of primary authority, he believes, are those passages which God Himself approves as true; of secondary authority are such as must be proved true by "the general standards of Scripture teaching"; and of tertiary authority are such as declare the very things which God disapproves, as examples of the last may be cited the "comfort" of Job's friends, whom God censured, or the fool's declaration that there is no God (Ps.14: 1). \.' , 234 Book Review - SJlterntur The distinction, of course, is based on a misunderstanding of the real issue; for the author admits that all Scripture is given by divineinspira_ tion. The simple solution of the supposed problem is that God, for our learning (Rom. 15: 4), has inspired the sacred penmen to write things both true and untrue, the untrue, however, not as His own sentiments but as those of the wicked. These untrue declarations God Himself condemns as materially or actually untrue, though formally they are true; that is to say, atheists actually declare that there is no God, and scoffers actually declare that this world will last forever (2 Pet. 3: 3-14). Such substantially untrue statements of wicked men occurring in the Bible neither disprove the divine inspiration nor the divine authority of Scripture; on the contrary, they prove the Bible to be the divine truth, given by Him who knows and judges the hearts and thoughts of men (Luke 16: 15). The author at times speaks of one skilled in hermeneutics as a hermeneut. Properly speaking, a hermeneut is an interpreter, while one skilled in hermeneutics is a hermeneutist. (Cf. Standard Dictionary sub voce.) J. THEODORE MUELLER The Supernaturalness of Christ. Can We Still Believe in It? By Wilbur M. Smith, Department of English Bible, Moody Bible Institute; Editor of Peloubet's Select Notes on the International Sunday- school Lesson. W. A. Wilde Company, Boston, Mass. 1940. 235 pages, 511zx8. Price, $1.50. In the preface of this valuable work the author says correctly (p. VII): "The greatest battle of our age is the one now being fought by two invisible armies, as they struggle to dominate the minds of men. The one army we may rightly call supernaturalism; the other, with equal accuracy, we shall designate naturalism." We might add that the controversy between Fundamentalists and Modernists, which in the press reached its height about fifteen years ago, but which relent- lessly continues, is merely one phase of this tremendous battle. The author of this book has made a helpful contribution to the branch of theology which we call apologetics. One can heartily endorse the work done by Christian apologetics without overestimating its im- portance. Wherever it removes difficulties which keep one or the other from listening to the Gospel-message, it deserves our com- mendation and support. To give the reader a conception of the contents of the book, the captions of the six chapters are set down here: 1. The Denial of the Supernatural in Contemporary Thought. 2. The Historical Trust- worthiness of the Gospel Records. 3. The Supernatural Elements in the Birth of Our Lord. 4. The Miraculous Works of Christ. 5. The Unique Transfiguration of Christ. 6. The Historical Reality of Christ's Resurrection. An epilog and an index conclude the volume. As appears from this brief survey, the subjects discussed are vital and must engage the interest of every conservative theologian. Dr. Smith, we are glad to say, treats the questions with which he grapples as a believer in the inerrancy of the Scriptures and in the deity of Christ, our Lord. Hence it is a delight to peruse his work. Here there is no yielding to Book Review - S3itetutm 235 the spirit which denies the historicity of the miracles of Christ or of His resurrection. Here there is no willingness to compromise with Modernists by conceding that the virgin birth of our Lord need not be maintained. Another impressive feature of the book is the acquaintance with the pertinent modern literature which it reveals on almost every page. Professor Smith cannot be accused of having pursued the policy ascribed (some say, falsely) to the ostrich, that of ignoring dangers in the belief that what is not seen does not exist. Antichristian philosophers, such as John Dewey and William Pepperell Montague; radical New Testament scholars, such as Adolf Harnack and E. Renan; and un- believing scientists, such as J. S. Haldane, are quoted. That the writer has read the works of believing scholars, for instance, those of A. T. Robertson and J. G. Machen, hardly needs particular mention. We are happy to say that the monumental work of our synodical brother Pastor A. Fahling of Detroit, The Life of Christ, is represented among the books from which excerpts are inserted. The longest chapter in the book is the one which dwells on the nature and testimony of the miracles of Christ (chap. IV). The author calls the miracles of Christ "the great battle-ground on which has been waged for centuries the real conflict regarding the reality or non-reality of the supernatural" (p. 109). The treatment of the subject is admir- able. A number of important general observations are submitted which help in warding off the attacks of unbelievers, for instance, that Christ's miracles were in the physical realm and could be appraised by the physical senses and that they (at least in numerous instances) were done publicly, in the presence of many witnesses. A part of this chapter is devoted to the examination and refutation of the views of hostile critics. Quite similar is the chapter on the resurrection of Christ (chap. VI). We quote a few of its sentences: "Some will then ask, Well, why don't more men believe in the resurrection, especially some of our outstanding scholars? I think the reason they do not believe is because they do not want to believe, that they have definitely determined not to believe. 'Oh,' you ask, 'do you think any true modern scholar would ever determine in his own mind not to believe in some- thing, however remarkable, i£ the evidence were clear concerning its reality?' Yes, I believe men will go to such an extreme, because men have gone to this extreme. Let us take, e. g., the testimony of just one contemporary philosopher, Prof. C. E. M. Joad, head of the Depart- ment of Philosophy and Psychology in Birkbeck College, University of London, since 1930, once John Locke scholar in Moral Philosophy in the University of Oxford, and the author of a great many influential volumes in philosphy and religion. Speaking of the resurrection of Christ, Joad, as late as 1933, declares that he will not believe in such an event, no matter what the evidence. These are his own words: 'Even i£ the evidence were far more impressive than the tatter of inconsistencies, divergencies, and contradictions which is in fact avail- able, I should probably still refuse to credit the fact which it purported to establish.''' Prof. Smith comments: "No matter what the evidence is, 236 Book Review - \Htcratut because of his own convictions regarding what ought to be in the universe Professor Joad frankly states that he will never pelieve, let us repeat his own phrase, 'no matter what the evidence.''' (P. 221 f.) The author would not claim that he has given us an exhaustive essay on the supernaturalness of Christ in which all the aspects of the topic are thoroughly discussed. But what he set out to d~, that is to show that we can still believe in the supernaturalness of Christ, he ha~ accomplished, and we are grateful for this faith-strengthening work. W.ARNDT Treasury of David. C. H. Spurgeon's Great Work of a Lifetime Con- densed by David Otis Fuller, D.D. Zondervan Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, Mich. 708 pages (2 volumes), 6%,><9%. Price, $6.95. The famous English preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon was not only a great preacher but also a great Bible student and, above all, a great Bible-teacher, who trained hundreds of Gospel-witnesses for mission and ministerial work at home and abroad. Those who study such books as his well-known T1'easU1'y of David, know why this simple and believing Christian man was an outstanding preacher: his preaching was deeply rooted in constant, profound, and intelligent study of God's Word. As Luther, whom he greatly admired, so also Spurgeon exceed- ingly loved and diligently used the book of Psalms as believing Israel's divine doctrinal and pastoral theology; and his famous T1'easury of David consists of brief, pithy, striking notes on the various psalm verses, original and otherwise, always to the point, valuable to the homilist, and presented in clear, chaste, dignified English, which so well becomes the Church and the pulpit. Some one has said that they are the frank, honest notes of a frank, honest Christian. The two-volume edition here offered to all lovers of the Psalms is, of course, a decided abridge- ment of Spurgeon's original very large work; nevertheless, the two volumes contain over 4,000 separate quotations (over 1,700 by Spurgeon himself) by 720 different writers, most of them eminent Bible students. The work is therefore a valuable practical commentary on the Psalms, which, we are sure, pastors, teachers, and Bible students in general will be eager to possess. It may serve indeed as a fine Christmas or birthday gift for the busy but usually underpaid pastor or teacher. The mechanical equipment of this new T1'easury is excellent; the binding is in blue cloth, with gilt lettering. J. THEODORE MUELLER @l.lImgeHfdJe Dffenbat:lmg. SDie @tunbfagen bet ebanoelifcf)en ;;rf)eofooie. mon ,otto SDHfef)neibet. medao~. mettefSmann, @titet~fof). 202 '5etten 61/zx91/z. ~tei~: M.1.50. SDie tteffficf)C1t ~hl~faoen tibet mermmft Hnb DffenvanlllO, bie fief) itt biefem mucT) finben, f)aben luit in nnfetm MONTHLY fef)on mttoeteift (SDc3cmVet 1940, '5. 923). Cl3~ finben fief) attCf) tuettboUe Untetfucf)unoen bet meoriffc :m:i , ~tE'ta VOEtv, Y'1' (3. m.: lI~hl~ bem affQtifd)"vavl)fonifdJen idu, ba~ ,au~etfer)en' nnb ,an~ettun~\en' f)ciflt, fdtet ficlj ett)mofogifcf) ba~ f)ebrnifcf)e Y'1' f)et"). '5onft ift mit nnfetm muclj nid)t bief an31lfalloen. Cl3illmaf iff bie '5jJta~f)e fmcf)tvat fcljtuet" berftiillbficf). iivet bie meffiallifef)ett mlei~faonllgen 3. m. luitb fo oetebet: ,,~n" beffen ift baud eineg tibetfef)en tuotben, ttnmfid) bte Cl3igenatt be~ altteftament" d d Book Review - Bitctatut 237 lief)en DffenoatUn\J~3CU\Jllijfe~ aIS \JenetlfdHJtagmattfef)e Dffenbatung unb bie ~lb~ Hifun\J biefe~ io geattetcn aftteftamentrid)en Djfenbatung~3eugnijfell com in biefm meffianifd)en filei~fagun\Jen. ~n aUen biefen ~(ullfagen boU3ie~t fidj niimHd) bie ~eirS\Jefeljief)md)~~to~~ettfef)e 9J~etamot~ljofe bom ~tagmatifd)en Djfenoatttttgll~ 3eugnill 3um fatfifelj~~etfonafen DjfenoatUn\Jll3eu\Jnill bell gewen st:eftamentell. lBei bem (5d)titt bon bet ~\'a\Jmatifeljen 31lt ~etfoltaf~fatfifd)m DffenoatUllg be!5 91euelt st:cftamelttell i)anbelt e!5 fid) um ein eminent etl)ifef)e~ !\3toofem, niimIicl) bie Cl:tfUffultg bell aftteftamentrieljen Cl:t1)o!5 in bet fatfifeljen ~eH~luitfHd)feit be~ ~1)tiftu~." ((5. 119.) ~Ct (5d)fu&!au bell lBud)e~ (autet: lI~ie tl)eofogife()e i:}Ot~ fd)ultg flat fielj ftet~ bcjfen oewuut 3U fein, bafJ fic untct bm (5~ettfteill bicfcll ~d)~ belulllltfeill~ nut (5etunbiites bat3ufJictcn ~at, ball ell affo ~timiit nicl)t um ball Cogito sum, fonbcm um ball Cogitari fieri gcljt." (5obann gibt Itttfet lBucl) auf bie hlicf)ti\Je j}tage llfilo f)aocn luit bie Djfenbatun\J 1" ("lillenn luit ()eute ball tljeo(ogifef)e lRingen bct 05cgC1lluatt anfe()en, fo ftel)t ia offenhtttbig bie Djfcn~ battlngsftagc im lBtenn~unft.1I (5. 135) bie bctfef)tte ~(ntwott. ~iell 1ft Mc ~{lttIUOtt: ,,~Ie Summa theologiae ift weltct nid)tll aHl ball bon 050tt in unfetm Beocn gCluitfte ~()tiftus3ettgnill.1I ((5. 138.) Cl:tluas bmtrid)et - obet unbettt~ Hef)ct - ausgebtUcft: ,,~et jeut gegenluiittige ~neumatifelje ~l)tiftttll 1ft nicljt blc ~(bHlfltn\J bell fatflfd)ett ~()tiftus3eugniffcll bes I),wen st:eftamentcs, fonbem bie gcgettluiittigc lTIetlcoettbi\Jltllll bcsfdoett im Beoens3cugllill bet 05cmeillbc Itttb bes cin3clncn./I ((5. 124.) ~htf beutfd): lilliU man luijfcn, luas 050tt uns 3U fagen f)at, fo frage man bic ~f)tiftcn; blttd) U)te ~1)tiftcnetfaf)tttttg tebet ~~tiftus au uns. ~(((ctbillgs tcbct Itnfer ~(utOt liftetll fo, a(ll fei bie (5eljtift bic £lueUe, bic aUeinige £lltcUe, bct .ldcirSetfettntnls. filit teHen 31uei baf)inlautenbe ~Tttsfagen mit. /I~as lBud), ball luit bie .ldCiTi\JC (5d)tift nellncn unb ba~ UllS In bct ~inf)cit bolt ~rtem Itllb 1)1cuem st:cftamcnt bas ,8 c u \1n I s gilt t I i d) e t D f fen vat u n gil ((5~mfeljtift bolt ttns) "batbietet, ift bie £lucUe bet tljeologifd)en i:}otfd)un\J." ((5. 58.) ,,~Ie oiolifd)en ,8 e \t gn Iff e II ((5~ettfd)tift bon \tns) ,,~anbeht ja bon bem ~l)tiftns unb fteffcn uns fcine .ldeHswitUiel)feiten bOt, genetifef)~~tag~ matifd), fatfifelj uttb ~tteumatifd). ~oet aud) bon affen bicfcn ~atftcfftt1tgett gm bas !\3auluswott, bafl luit cinett (5d)au itt itbenett 05efiiilett l)aoett. Unb bennoe!) 1ft unb oieiot Me (5ef)tift blc aUcittige £luelle unb ~OttcUut bes ~ljtiftUllluiffens unb bet tl)eofogifd)en i:}otfd)un\1. Dl)ne ball (5eljtift3eugnlll luiite alles ~f)tiftus~ wiffen Illtb alle st:yeofolJie einct lt1tfonttoffietoaten (5djluiitmctei unb IJJH)ftlt ~teis~ gCIJeocn." ((5.147.) lilliU ~Hfd)neibet f)ict fagcn, bail bie ~cifige (5c()tift bie allcittigc £lue([e bet st:yeo(ogie ift, fo butftc et nief)t fagen, bafl "bic Summa theologiae bas in unfetm Beven \Jcluitfte ~f)tiftus3C1tgnts if til. filie veibe ~(us~ fagClt 3U f)atmonificten finb, luiffen luit nid)t. ~et lBattyialtCt lueib es bielleid)t. 1)](i,i\1fid)etlUeife lie(lt bie .\3lifung batin, bafl bie ~eHige (5eljtift ctis 11,8 e \t gn i s giittficf)et Djfen6atung" angcfeljen luttb. (5cl)fieflficl) yHft aoet attd) bas nicl)ts. ~C1tl1 wenn bie ~eifige (5(l)tift alles ~~tiftuswiffen, bas in Imfctm Beuen ge~ luitfte ~ytiftus3eugnis, belt jeut gegenlUiittigen ~neumatifeljen ~~tifhls fonttoh limn folf, fo mUfl fie me~t aiS Mojiell lI,8eu\1niS" feitt; fie mull a((einige ~(utotitiit f)aoen. lillic bie (5ae()en fte~en, (attft bet (5au, bab bie Summa theologia bas in ttnfctm Beoen gewitfte ~()tiftus3C1tgnis ift, aUf unfoltttolfietvate (5d)watmmi Yiltaus. Unb Me (5d)tift mub ell fid) gefallett (affCll, bon bem lI~neumatifef)en ~f)tiftugll foltttolfiett 3U luerben. 1),0e1) ellt~: ~ft bie ~eifi\le (5d)tift mit 9Jlan\1cfn oe()aftet (llitbene 05efiibc ll), fo taugt fie nid)t a(S £lueffe ultb ~omfhtt bcs ~f)tiftttstuiffenll. st: f). ~ n g e ( bet . , 238 Book Review - .l3itecatut Philosophy, Education, and Certainty. By Robert L. Cooke, Ed. D. Zon~ dervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Mich. 392 pages, 5%X7%. Price, $2.75 . This volume by a m~mber of the faculty of Wheaton College is an attempt to combine the study of educational theory with an analysis of its philosophical background and of the bearings of metaphysics on the problem of certainty. The inclusion of "certainty" in the title of the volume raises expectations which are not fulfilled in these chapters, but as an introduction to the history of philosophy from the standpoint of Christian education the book meets a long-felt want. Especially the reading of the chapters on Philosophy Applied to Education, Science and Education, Evolutionism, Dewey, Democracy and the Schools, Progressi_ vism, should prove of the greatest value to the educator who takes his task and profession seriously. There is ample documentation in the footnotes and in the chapter lists of readings, and the criticism through~ out is from the standpoint of conservative Christian scholarship. TH. GRAEBNER Does the Modern Papacy Require a New Evaluation? By C. B. Gohdes, Litt. D. The Lutheran Literary Board, Burlington, Iowa. 1940. 263 pages. Price, $2.25. The author, professor of History at Capital University, states that this book is written "as a protest against the recent breach made in the time-honored relations that have obtained in the past between State and Church. The Church of Rome, through the action of our Chief Executive, has passed from the status of one Church among many to that claimed by it, a Church with special privilege." The reference is, of course, to the sending of Mr. Taylor as the personal representative of the President of the United States to the Vatican in Rome. The object of the book is to show, and to prove by official documents of the Roman Church, what these special privileges are; that the boast of Rome Sempe1' eadem is still true; that therefore Rome is today as great a danger to, and an enemy of, Protestantism and of all free institutions in the world as ever. The sum of the author's argument is stated on the last page: "The Pope is not the herald and guardian of the Gospel, not the chief of the apostolate of Calvary, but their perverter. He is not the guardian of the peace of the nations but its disturber; and since he has come to stay, resistance to him by means of disclosing his character should be as enduring as himself." - It is necessary that, periodically, such books be issued; necessary, because actually the situation has not changed as far as the attitude of Rome towards Protestantism is concerned. But the people forget because no bloody action of the Inquisition is reported in the daily news; they think these things belong to the past; it cannot happen now, above all, it cannot happen here; because the Catholic Action is not publishing as part of its official program that the Government of the United States be made subservient to the Papacy, therefore that desire is entirely foreign to the men behind that action. So, despite the fact that most of what this book contains has been said before, it is good that it was put on the market, and it deserves recommendation. - A few alterations would, in the opinion Book Review - \Jitecatuc 239 of this reviewer, improve the book. The author does not always manifest the calm objective outlook of the historian. In a matter which is, to quote Dr. W. H. Greever in the introduction, "delicate, beset with peculiar difficulties," it will answer the purpose better to abstain from impassioned exhibitions of personal feelings and convictions. Excursions like that on the Versailles Treaty serve no good purpose and may defeat the object of the book because they antagonize the reader. The rather superficial treatment and somewhat contemptuous condemnation of the Roman doctrine of Mary's perpetual virginity strikes many other Chris- tians as well and controverts the Lutheran Confessions. Moreover, the author's conception of the Roman view of Mary's immaculate conception is altogether incorrect. - A few other mistakes have crept into the text. Page 49, Pius XI should be Pius IX; page 69, "opposite" should be "apposite"; page 204, line 6, something is evidently omitted. The well- known historian of our Synod is not "Professor Dallman of St. Louis." - A topical index would add greatly to the value of the book; and while in general there is sufficient documentation, it is lacking in places where it is specially desirable, e. g., regarding Franco and the Spanish war, p. 92 ff., the Catholic Action, p. 94 ff. THEa. HOYER To Live Is Christ. By Emil W. Matzner. The Lutheran Book Concern, Columbus, O. 430 pages, 6X9. Price, $2.50. These sermons present a number of good features. They are textual; are homiletic ally well constructed; short but packed full of thought; have brief introductions that are not commonplace but arouse interest; use an abundance of good illustrations; speak a good, plain English. The preacher knows past history, but he speaks as a man who lives in the present world and who is aware of the needs of his hearers. Being a Lutheran, one expects that his doctrine is Biblical, and one is not disappointed. It may be debated whether at times he takes too much for granted as far as the way to salvation is concerned. In the interest of better preaching we recommend this book of sermons to our pastors. J. H. C. FRITZ Two Minutes with God. By Paul J. Hoh and Philip R. Hoh. Cokesbury Press, Nashville, Tenn. 5%X8%. Price, $1.50. This devotional book, intended to meet the spiritual needs of young children, is exceptionally well planned and written from a pedagogical standpoint. We would enthusiastically recommend this book if it were free from objectionable matter. Not only is there too much moralizing, but there are false statements such as: "Without the Bible it is very, very hard to find God" (p. 20); "God loves them [bad people] and hopes that, because He loves them, they will change and become good" (p. 16). There is only passing reference to the vicarious atonement and the doctrine of justification. Children understand and believe the central doctrine of the Christian faith, and their life of sanctification is not effected by moralizing but is always a result of their faith in justification. Paul J. Hoh is professor at Mount Airy Theological Seminary of the United Lutheran Church. F. E. MAYER 240 Book Review - i3iteratut The Polity of a Lutheran Congregation. By A. Brunn. Concordia Pub~ii?hing House, St. Louis, Mo. 1940. Tract No. 133. 32 pages, 31hX51h. Price, 5 cts. the copy, postpaid; dozen, 48 cis., and postage. This little tract sets forth the various definitions of the word "church," the relation and the duties of the pastor, the various officers, the voters, the societies toward their congregation. It deserves Synod-wide distri- bution, careful reading, and conscientious practicing of the principles outlined. TH. LAETSCH Proceedings of the Twenty-Foul"th Convention of the Texas District. Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, Mo. 1940. 75 pages, 51jzX81h. Price, 13 cts. In his essay on "Unionism" Dr. Fritz, after defining unionism as "church union without unity of doctrine," points out that unionism is nothing new in the Church, that the arguments advanced in favor of unionism are specious, that unionism is contrary to Scripture and dangerous to the welfare of the Church, and he finally applies the Scrip- tural principle to a number of practical questions in reference to unionism. The report on the thirty-five missionary stations in the far- flung territory of the largest State of the Union, and particularly the report on the difficult and ofttime discouraging work in the Spanish mission among the Mexicans in Texas and in Mexico City, ought to be of general interest. An overture by a pastoral conference to petition Synod at its con- vention in 1941 to grant a division of the present Texas District Was lost by a vote of 113 to 38. TH. LAETSCH ~lItfjer=Sl:nrenber fUr I5Ubn1ltcrifn. - 0 Lar Christao. - G:u.=l.\lItf). !1£6reifi= fll{clthcr fUt blllJ ~nfjr 1941 ntit ~nbad)ten tmb ~ibelleftionen rUt ieben stag. &'dctau~\1cgcben bon 'oCt ($;b."i3utf). 6~nobc bon ~cafmcn. Cas a Publicadora Concordia, ~octo ~fegtc, ~rafifien. 1l'iit fofef)e, bic mit if)nen bereit~ befannt finb, fom1ltcn biefe brei neucn ~afcnbct luie aftc, nebe 1l'eettnbe. :iDct 1Ii3\ttf)ce"~afenbeell eefd)cint llCl:cits int 17. ~af)t\1ang, fein ~ottlt(Jicfifd)ct ~ntbet 0 La?' Ch?-istao im 2. ~eibe enb f)atten tcid)cn d)ciftnd)cn i3efeftoff, bet betttfc6c ctwas me!)e ag bce ~ott\t\1iefifd)e. ~eibc abet lueifen bcfonbee~ bie i3aien aUf fo!ef)c f~nobalc ~(Jt\1aben !)in, bie fic notig f)aben, luie ~lbeeffen bee ~aftoeen, 0lcntcinbett nnb ~tebi\ltftationen, 6~no" ba!beamte \tnb anberes mef)t. ~nt 1I~!btciflfafenbcell finb bis in ben Dftobee !)inein bie beiben 6amueliSbUel)ee ~bfel)nitt fUe ~lbfd)nitt fel)on nu~gefegt unb 3citgcmiifl aUf bie !)eutigcn metf)iiftnifjc angcluanbt. :iDies gibt 'oem 0lan3ctt cine inttccficl)c ($;ittl)cit, bie itt f)of)ent SJJ1afl fcgettf~enbcttb tuiden wieb. mlee biefe beei ~a!enbet beftcUt, wieb ttid)t ttttC 6cgen fUe fid) emten, fottbem aud) unfeee ~eilbce itt 6i1banteeHa itt if)rer ffcilligen uttb trenett ~iottieeaebeit ee" numtem unb lmtecftUllen. 0lotte~ 6cgett tuf)c aud) aUf biefent ,seugni~ bee mla!)ef)eit! ~. st. ~m iI f! e e The Seminary Edition of Choruses and Qual'tets, Classical and Modern, for Male Voices. Edited by Walter Wismar. No. 19: "Christ Lay in Death's Dark Prison." Bach-Heyne. 26 pages, 6%X10, Price, 75 cts.