A Founding Father of the LCMS on "Witness, Mercy, Life Together"

It's always marvelous to stumble across an old book that I had no idea existed. Lewis Spitz wrote a biography of Wilhelm Sihler (1801-1885), the fascinating co-founder of the Missouri Synod (along with Walther and Wyneken). Sihler was Pastor at St. Paul's in Ft. Wayne from 1845 to 1885. He had a Doctorate from Jena, awarded for work he'd done in the stream of Schleiermacher (father of liberal Protestantism in many ways). In fact, Sihler had been a guest in Schleiermacher's home. S's name means literally "veil maker" and Sihler later make note of that fact, as he described his conversion to orthodox Lutheranism. In July 1873 Sihler set forth his "Theses for Church Fellowship" at the Missouri Synod's convention. Here's a taste of "Witness, Mercy, Life Together."

Pastor H.

Thesis 16

It is in direct relationship with the Confession that each Lutheran synod apply all diligence on its part in founding and helping to maintain orthodox educational institutions for the training of loyal and capable ministers and teachers for the preservation of the church.

Thesis 17

It is no less in accordance with the Confession that synods maintain supervision as to whether and how the individual congregations of their association show active love in the care of needy widows, orphans, sick people, etc.

Thesis 18

finally, it is consonant with the Confession that synods encourge the congregations of their assocation to do their part energetically in spreading Lutheran doctrine and the Lutheran Church and in promoting foreign and home missions.

(Spitz, "Life in Two Worlds: A Biography of William Sihler," CPH 1969, p. 148).