Chairman of the Lutheran Church Board for Army and Navy letter to Dr. Knubel - September 13, 1918
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September 13th, 1918. National Lutheran Commission of Soldiers
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National Lutheran Commission. [page 2] September 13, 1918. Right here we find a misunderstanding to exist between the N.L.C. and our Board as to the character, manner and extent of the co-operation provided for in our agreement. Evidently the understanding of the N.L.C. is that the N.L.C. is to be the exclusive representative before both the Federal Officials and with the National War Time Committee of the Federal Council of Churches in all matters affecting the work to be done with and for the Lutheran boys under the Flag by either chaplains or camp pastors; while our understanding was and is that we were to be considered co-ordinate bodies, seeking harmonious and also joint action whenever deemed necessary and as mutually agreed, for which reason we agreed to have our representative, Pastor Brunn, sit with the N.L.C., not as a constituent member, but merely as a consultative associate. We did not, therefore, consider it a violation of our agreement either to retain Pastors Steffens and Wenchel as our Washington representatives, nor to have them take action even in reference to our camp pastors and chaplains. Nor do we now see that our Washington Committee, or Pastor Steffens individually and specifically has done aught, either in contravention of his instructions received from our Board, or the presidents of the constituent bodies of the Synodical Conference, or contrary to our conception of the relationship established between the N.L.C. and our Board by the agreement to co-operate in all matters as far as possible, though we now clearly see the difference of interpretation put on that agreement. We also beg tostate that, judging from information submitted to us, no refusal was at any time made by the Pastor Steffens or our Washington Committee to co-operate with the N.L.C. or its representatives. On the contrary, we are assured by our committee that it has on occasions, with a spirit of co-operation, cheerfully offered its service to the N.L.C. As to the point 2, we wish to say that the purpose for which the information concerning our Board was communicated directly to the U.S. Bureau of Information was none other than to forestall any possibility of suspicions being entertained or created against our Board and its work, by reason of the Federal authorities having been kept uninformed of our existence and activities. To submit this information directly, as we did, we were moved by the discovery that no mentions was made of our Board in the Report of the General Wartime Committee of the Churches presented to the Executive Committee of the Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America, published in Cincinnati, December, 1917. Our experience has proved our action to have been very wise.
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National Lutheran Commission. [page 3] September 13, 1918. With reference to Point 3, dealing with joint ownership of social centers and other properties, we can only state that our Board, through its chairman and secretary, never made other agreement than that either party determining on the erection of any buildings should inform the other party immediately of such intent and provide quarters for the camp pastor of the other party in such buildings. To enter into any joint ownership we have judged a physical impossibility, because of the many difficulties sure to be encountered, especially as to the enforcement of legal rights, the adjustment of legal obligations, and the possible liquidation after the close of the war. To substantiate, we refer to your telegram of April 18th and letter of May 7, 1918. In the matter of the omission of all reference to the N.L.C. and its work among the soldiers and sailors in our publications, let us explain that we never considered ourselves called except to provide for the spiritual and social needs of our own members, and our Bulletin was gotten out to tell our people what we are doing for our boys and to keep alive and increase their interest in the work for which they have called us. We should not feel justified in finding fault with the N.L.C. for omitting in its publications any reference to our Board and its work, except where mutually agreed on certain common communications. Moreover, we cannot forebear stating that because of such wild and untrue statements having been made by men connected with the N.L.C. as e.g.,
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National Lutheran Commission. [page 4] September 13, 1918. We, therefore, sincerely desire to co-operate with the N.L.C. in the measure in which loyalty to our principles and due respect for the convictions and principles of those who differ with us permits co-operation. We cannot, however, wxceed or ignore limitations placed on us by our respective synods and must insist upon being considered not in the light of a subordinate, but an independent body acting jointly with the N.L.C. in such matters as we may agree on and specify. It is our conviction that to clear up and forestall all future complications, an arrangement should be affected in harmony with the actual relationship on the N.L.C. and our Board as being two independent bodies. We trust the N.L.C. will see the necessity of the action called for and, filled with the same desire with ourselves, will accede to our request. Sincerely yours, Chairman. Lutheran Church Board for Army and Navy, U.S.A.
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N.L.C. Question part of Reply to our letter of September 13th, 1918. WHEREAS: the National Lutheran Commission for Soldiers
Details
| Title | Chairman of the Lutheran Church Board for Army and Navy letter to Dr. Knubel - September 13, 1918 |
| Creator | Unknown |
| Source | Unknown. Letter to Dr. Knubel. 13 September 1918. Graebner, Theodore Collection. Concordia Historical Institute, St. Louis, Missouri. |
| Description | Letter from the Chairman of the Lutheran Church Board for Army and Navy to Dr. Knubel of the National Lutheran Commission of Soldiers' and Sailors' Welfare. The author of the letter discussed the possible cooperation between the Lutheran Church Board for Army and Navy and the National Lutheran Commission. He stated that it was his understanding that the N.L.C. was the exclusive representative before both the Federal Officials and with the National War Time Committee of the Federal Council of Churches. Also included in a reply to the letter outlining resolutions between the two groups. |
| Subject LCSH | World War, 1914-1918--Public opinion; World War, 1914-1918--Religious aspects; Lutheran Church |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I |
| Contributing Institution | Concordia Historical Institute |
| Copy Request | Transmission or reproduction of items on these pages beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the Concordia Historical Institute: 314-505-7900 |
| Rights | The text and images contained in this collection are intended for research and educational use only. Duplication of any of these images for commercial use without express written consent is expressly prohibited. |
| Date Original | September 13, 1918 |
| Language | English |