Full Text for CTM Theological Observer 3-11 (Text)

Theological Observer. -,Ritd)Iicf}'8eitgcfcf}icf}tlicf}e~. 865 Theological Observer. -StirdJIidJ~geitgefdJidjtndje~. I. .2{meriktt. 2lu1.l ber e\jnobe. :!lie ber) djietlenen :niftriftsoliitier regen :8eu[1nis ab bon bet statfadje, i:Jaf3 unfere @)i)notle im grof3en unD ganaen cinen regen t elementary conceptions of valid unity if in an outwardly united Church there were on the one hand those who insist on Lutheran clergymen for Lutheran pulpits and on the other hand those who are ready to put the privileges of ilieir pulpits at the disposal of men who are essentially hostile to Luilieranism; on the one side the advocates of a male clergy, close Com­munion, the repudiation of antichristian secret societies, and the worship only with iliose who are truly united in faith -and on the oilier side ilie large company of those who by plain practise and profession support it female clergy, open Communion, the American lodge system, and unionism. No reputable and successful business concern would tolerate such divergence in the practical affairs of every·day business; and certainly in the King's business, ,yhich is placed under the close scrutiny of a carping generation, the effect of ilie Gospel must not be vitiated by the open contradiction of an antiilietical yes and no when only one alternative of practi&e can be correct and enjoy the sanction of the Scriptures." A. Is It Merely "Missourian"!' -In discussing the book which our colleague Prof. M. S. Sommer recently published, entitled The Truth Which ,ll akes Us Free, a reviewer in the Lutheran (John W. Horine), while on the whole speaking of the book in favorable terms, calls the position championed by Professor Sommer with respect to announcement for Com­munion a "Missourian" touch. He says: "It is in connection with the last·named subject (i. e., the Lord's Supper) that there occurs the only strictly 'Missourian' touch in the whole book. . .. The author says: 'The pastor should know who is to attend the Lord's Supper, ... iliat he may see whether the persons applying are fit and worthy. . .. All who intend to partake of ilie Sacrament at any given time should therefore inform tIle pastor of their intention.' (Tbis is again stressed on page 104.)" Til· review shovn3 that this epithet is meant as a sticture, implying refusal t give endorsement to the view in question. We inquire, Is it really merely a "Missourian" idiosyncrasy which is here voiced by Professor Sommer, or is not the practise which he insists on of old standing in the Lutheran Church, having been introduced at ilie time of the Reformation and having remained in vogue wherever Lutheran doctrine was taken seriously? We find that Article XXV of the Augsburg Confession begins thus: "Confession is not abolished in our churches. For it is not usual to communicate the body of our Lord except to those who have been previously examined and absolved." The article of the Apology treating of the Mass (Art. XXIV), says in its first paragraph: "At the outset we must again make the pwliminary statement that we do not abolish the Mass, but religiously maintain and defend it; for among us 868 Theological Observer. -.Rird)lid).Seitgefd)idjtlid)e~. Masses are celebrated every Lord's Day .and on the other festivals in which the Sacrament is offered to those who wish to use it after they have been examined and absolved." Before us lies The Book of Worship, issued· "for the use of the United Synod of the EVlLl1gelical Lutheran Church in the South," published in 1902, in which on page .233 the authors say; "The Lord's Supper should. be administered under ordinary circumstances at least four times a year: at Christmas, on Easter, on Whitsunday, and on a Sunday between Whitsunday and Christmas. The pastor should give timely notice from the pulpit of the intended celebration. Those who in­tend to commune may report their namcs to the pastor after the notice has been given, and all who have failed to do this should be required to do it at the time of holding the preparatory service. The names of the com­municants should be recorded in the church-book. Immediately after the names have been taken down, the elders of the church shall examine the list, and if any suspended or expelled members shall have handed in their names, they shall be directed not to come to the Holy Communion til! restored to their standing in the church. On the day preceding Communion this service should be held, and all the members should be present." This should suffice to take away from the practise under discussion the stigma (if stigma it is) of Missourianism, the la8t quotation showing that it was prescribed in one of the bodies which in 1917 united to form the United Lutheran Church. The reviewer finds one more so-called "Missourian" feature which he must point out. He says: "Moreover, the author lets fly a Missourian .dart or arrow against lodges and the Masonic Order on the last page." Here again we demur. It is by no means merely Missourian practise to warn people against the antichristian features and tendencies of lodges. Other Lutheran bodies have found it necessary to issne this warning in clear and \lnmistakable terms. 1£ the reviewer will take the trouble of recalling what undoubt