Theodore Graebner letter to F.C. Streufert - June 8, 1918

Transcript

June 8, 1918 Lutheran Church Board for A & N Rev F C Streufert Secy Chicago Gentlemen and brethren,- That our paper should be excluded from the army camps because it republished a letter from Mr.Claxton, National Commissioner of Education, seems like an irony of history, especially when it is considered what service our paper has rendered in establishing the loyal character of our people. And yet the Editorial Committee not only refrains from protesting against this decision, but,- though for another reason,-is willing to admit the justice of such a move. We are a denominational paper and as such we can fulfill our mission only if we stringly stress the doctrines of our church. Manifestly, the distribution of such a paper can hardly be viewed otherwise than as proselyting activity among the soldiers. Furthermore, as a Lutheran paper, we exhibit the dangers which threaten our people through the prevalence of false doctrine. While a necessary task, for which we have apostolic injunction, this must rouse the animosity of other religious workers in the camp against our camp pastor and thus hamper our laborers in their work. Rev Sommer and I have realized this for some time and we have been very reserved in our discussion of religious error of late. But this cannot continue. Our trumpet must have a clear sound. Hence we see the entire justice of excluding the army camps from the sphere of our influence. Our paper is published for Lutherans and only in a very restricted sense for the information of outsiders. We have no business in a national army camp in which soldiers of all creeds are gathered. Even the distribution of the Lutheran Witness among soldiers who are not members of the Synodical Conference but of some other Lutheran body would be questionable, and we are glad that the action occasioned by the letter of Mr Clxton now points the way to the only proper course,-the exclusion of every field but our own Synod from the sphere of Lutheran Witness influence. We are not averse to having the above statement incorporated in your bulletins to our camp pastors, if you think it advisable in order to settle all speculation why the distribution of the Witness among soldiers will cease. Let me thank you for the cordial tone of your letter. Your Board will,- needless to say,-ever find Rev. Sommer and myself ready to uphold the arms of the synodical authorities in army and navy work, and that to the extent of our ability. God bless you in your important activity on behalf of our boys. Very sincerely Yours, also on behalf of Rev. Sommer,