Loehe's Report of Walther's and Wyneken's Visit As Transcribed in James L. Schaaf, _Wilhelm Loehe's Relations to the American Church: A Study in the History of Lutheran Mission_, Heidelberg University, Ph.D. Dissertation, 1961, Appendix VIII. Translated by Erika Bullmann Flores The Visit Of The Two Presidents Of The Lutheran Synod Of Missouri, Ohio, And Other States--Walther And Wyneken In Germany. The readers of these pages are aware that disagreements concerning the Holy Office had arisen between us, the editors of this publication and the excellent members of the Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio and other states. While our American brothers seek to stress the rights of the congregations, based on the spiritual priesthood of all Christians, we deem it important not only to us in the old country of Germany but also to the congregations across the seas to call special attention to the boundaries between Office and Congregation, based on the doctrine of The Office. It seems to us that congregations, unfettered by the state or recently released, cannot achieve a peaceful and thriving status unless they recognize and accept these boundaries. While we and our American brothers each followed our own convictions, it was unavoidable that there were disagreements. Yea, at times the importance of the matter occasionally caused our hearts to fear that under these circumstances we would in future no longer be able to work together. Many an essay published in these pages bears witness of this fear, as our readers well know. Under it all, however, there was so much love that the concern about unity became extremely painful. What we experienced here was also experienced by our brothers across the sea. The synodical conference of 1850 had strengthened our American brothers Loehe's Report of Walther's and Wyneken's Visit As Transcribed in James L. Schaaf, _Wilhelm Loehe's Relations to the American Church: A Study in the History of Lutheran Mission_, Heidelberg University, Ph.D. Dissertation, 1961, Appendix VIII. Translated by Erika Bullmann Flores The Visit Of The Two Presidents Of The Lutheran Synod Of Missouri, Ohio, And Other States--Walther And Wyneken In Germany. The readers of these pages are aware that disagreements concerning the Holy Office had arisen between us, the editors of this publication and the excellent members of the Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio and other states. While our American brothers seek to stress the rights of the congregations, based on the spiritual priesthood of all Christians, we deem it important not only to us in the old country of Germany but also to the congregations across the seas to call special attention to the boundaries between Office and Congregation, based on the doctrine of The Office. It seems to us that congregations, unfettered by the state or recently released, cannot achieve a peaceful and thriving status unless they recognize and accept these boundaries. While we and our American brothers each followed our own convictions, it was unavoidable that there were disagreements. Yea, at times the importance of the matter occasionally caused our hearts to fear that under these circumstances we would in future no longer be able to work together. Many an essay published in these pages bears witness of this fear, as our readers well know. Under it all, however, there was so much love that the concern about unity became extremely painful. What we experienced here was also experienced by our brothers across the sea. The synodical conference of 1850 had strengthened our American brothers in their convictions. These convictions were tempered with love and thus all the more distressing for us to behold because we believed them to be following the wrong direction, leading towards romanization. They had hoped that a visit from one of us would heal the wounds which had been inflicted, and the Missouri Synod did extend an invitation. However, we were unable to accept, caught up in battles with our own local wretched situations. Upon receiving our explanation for declining the visit--albeit based on our situation--the Missouri Synod put us to shame by offering to send two messengers of peace across the ocean. They would, in various Lutheran churches, present their convictions concerning the Holy Office and grant us the favor of personal dialogue. Indeed, a godly and noble act, worthy of the Lutheran Church, proof that the right God is at Zion. Wherever one does not flee from differences, but draws together to fight Satan who instigated the discord and wants to fan it into a mighty, separating fire; where there is resistance by firmly grasping the brother-hand, where neither rivers, forests, prairies or oceans can hinder such resistance, there is Jesus bespeaking bane and blessing. He brings peace into the heart, even before comprehension and acceptance have been grasped--and thus the best has almost happened. The spirit which leads in truth joins itself to love and desire for peace. Where there is such an attitude there is no need for haste nor hurry to come to an agreement with formulae and sentences. Hand-in-hand we enter into the school of the Holy Spirit, on whose portals these students read the inscription: "The longer, the more dear; the longer, the more united and loyal." With the prayers and blessings of the Missouri Synod, assembled in Milwaukee, its previous president Professor Walther of the Concordia College in St. Louis, and the current president, Professor Wyneken from St. Louis, crossed the ocean. Meanwhile, Professor Dr. Sihler went from Fort Wayne to St. Louis to take over their duties of church administration. It took ten days for the Brothers Walther and Wyneken to travel from North America to England, and two days from Hull to Hamburg, where they arrived on September 12. There, by God's providence they met several of our messengers of love (Missionary K. Diehlmann, Pastor Deindoerfer who was on his way to Frankenhilf & [sic]) who were carrying with them a considerable amount of money to the colonies in Michigan. Thus, East and West of the Lutheran Church greeted one another in Hamburg with considerable joy. In that manner our brothers, just arrived, received already at the shores of Europe, the pledges of our faithfulness, witnesses of our dwindling concerns. Sincere letters were received ahead of the two presidents' arrival, for instance, from our esteemed friend Sihler. The more these dealt with the doctrine of the office, the more they made clear to us that our convictions are related in true-Lutheran manner, and that misunderstandings were present. Across the ocean we sent letters full of hope for peace, sincere assurances of our love, before we ever saw our brothers face-to-face. Now that we have seen them, spoken with them, pondered that which was said, we may well state that our hope for peace was not in vain. Sometimes, during our talks it seemed as if we each started from different bases, but after advancing toward each other we did come together, and peacefully so. Different situations often teach that the same, mutual truth must be seen and understood from different perspectives, and these explanations are sometimes one-sided. However, when these situations, beliefs, and explanations are compared without emotion, when no idiosyncrasy distorts the view, then the right ecumenical comprehension can be agreed on. Then the voices of contrast become the voices of harmony and unity of diversity. Surely, this is how it will be with us regarding the Office. Professor Walther will prepare an exposition to 18 theses which were accepted at the Synod at Milwaukee; the exposition will be examined, discussed and evaluated. Neither we nor our American brothers desire to close this matter until it has been thoroughly dealt with. The longer it takes, the more we will find the whole truth, find its proper application to all circumstances and the church will rejoice. For we do have the same basic view of the church. We are united in the recognition of the holy office of the shepherd. According to all we previously knew and now even more readily recognize, the practices of our American brothers have been accepted by us as right and good, so much so that we gladly have sent and will continue to send our pupils to them. All else will fall into place, especially since these mentioned points are not the only ones about which we concur. Often we came to the mutual conclusion that fundamentally we are in agreement. With this statement of unity, peace and love which we proclaim herewith publicly before our brothers--here as well as over there--we yet take liberty to indicate those points where we are of the opinion that our American brothers seek progress toward perfection: 1. The relationship of the invisible church to the visible one, the invisible church's need for expression and formation in the visible world; 2. The divine coherence of the individual parish to the church as a whole, the explanation of the body and its members in the wandering church; 3. The separation of law and apostolic order, for the latter complete acceptance pertaining to the leadership of the invisible church; 4. Proper regard of the Lutheran church's progress and victories in pietist and other related disputes during the past century. We believe that our American brothers have the fortitude and wisdom to explain these points even now, especially the first two which are so very important. However, we are in no hurry. To the contrary: satisfied by the real unity already among us, we do not wish for a hasty conclusion, but rather that with continued exchange of our understanding we will be guided by the spirit of peace and do not conclude until we can say together: "Now we have found the right words for our concerns which we will leave behind for prosperity, like a symbol which will be accept by the church of the future, as we accept the measure of knowledge which is expressed in the old, inherited symbols of our church." We do regret one thing though, the comport of the very talented and learned Pastor Grabau at Buffalo; the manner in which he treats the Synod of Missouri, Ohio and Other States in his latest pastoral letter in his otherwise much appreciated publication ("Kirchliches Informatorium") and his lack of desire to come to unanimity with our brothers. Truly, there are many points of unity. Who knows, maybe the real differences of teaching could be removed via understanding and agreeing to proper, mutually agreeable expressions, without having to yield any points at all. However, this application of the ban, this castigation of praxis, this extreme severity of judgment, does considerably obstruct any approach. Our brothers from Missouri did not ask us at all to make this sort of statement. However, we consider it to be important and necessary for the sake of completely forthright relationship, despite our respect for the talents and learning of Pastor Grabau, to issue such a statement. Despite our willingness to understand him and to do him justice, yet we are closer to the side of our brothers from Missouri, Ohio and Other States and their practices, even though regarding the so-called "Rottenprediger" (gang- preachers) they were amiss here and there. The next issue will contain more details concerning the Grabau "Informatorium." However, we already want to declare that we do not find fault with Mr. P. Schaller regarding the _Notabene_ (NB), No. 2, pg. 11 and following. Also, in No. 3, pg. 23b. of selected text from the American information we did not think of those Prussians who migrated with Pastor Grabau, but of the Prussian church at home, which pre-dates this migration. After all this we take the liberty to announce the following resolves concerning future actions on behalf of the North American Lutheran Church, resolves which we had already made prior to the arrival of our American brothers: 1. If we can be effective for the Lutheran Church in other parts of America, we will take action. 2. We reserve freedom of choice for our actions, but it is our express wish that we work with and through our brothers in other parts, according to their approval. 3. We will at all times, to the best of our knowledge and with good conscience, aid the work of our brothers in their Synod. We did not present this statement to our American brothers prior to its printing, but it is our hope that they recognize our sincere, honest intentions. Dear brothers, we gladly go with you and for you! You and we are forever united by Jesus and His Spirit!--May the Lord bless your coming and going from now to eternity! Amen. Neuendettelsau, October 24, 1 851. W.L. ______________________________________________________________ This text was converted to ascii format for Project Wittenberg by Erika Flores and is in the public domain. You may freely distribute, copy or print this text. Please direct any comments or suggestions to: Rev. Robert E. Smith of the Walther Library at Concordia Theological Seminary. E-mail: bob_smith@ctsfw.edu Surface Mail: 6600 N. Clinton St., Ft. Wayne, IN 46825 USA Phone: (219) 452-2148 Fax: (219) 452-2126 ______________________________________________________________