Theodore Graebner letter to W.C. Kohn - October 31, 1918
Transcript
of the Board contains someflaws, alluded to by Lindemann, which they would set forth to counter your argument. At the same time I realize that it is impossible to give me this information by letter, even if you thought it necessary to explain the case to me more fully. Yet without such explination I cannot give advice intelligently. On account of the after-effects of this matter, I have a very immediate interest in it, especially as editor of official organs, since only with a knowledge of the facts intelligent treatment of intersynodical matters is possible in the Witness and Lehre and Wehre. I am not referring to Army and Navy Board matters. Those are for my private consumption. But I mean the issues which will arise out of this business, and which may be much more serious in their consequences than we now imagine. We simply must treat these matters (Merger, Church Union, Unionism) publicly, yet great harm can be done if one is not perfectly informed on such movements as this of our [New York] brethren. If I can be of help to you, command me. But I think I need your advice on the editorial [ms illegible: 1 wd] as much as you need mine on. We ought to have a confab, with Streufert. W.C. Kohn Dear friend and brother, - I have read the letters enclosed with NLC Resolutions of [September] 13 and have given them careful perusal. I shall confess that the oftener I read these letters, the more alarming does their import seem to me. I should be little concerned about the case of the camp pastors if it were not for those consequences which a fair knowledge of human nature will permit us to deduce from these premises. I have said so often: Peace will bring us greater perils than war, and the language question is not to be compared in point of seriousness with the menace of unionism. In acceding to your request, let me say in the first place that I see not the slightest impropriety in your act. In fact, the matter is so serious that I in your position would certainly not act without consulting some unbiased friend, in whom I had confidence. But what makes it difficult for me to formulate my suggestions, is the fact, that I am in ignorance of some of the matters here referred to. For instance: Why was the old agreement abrogated? What reason was given to the NLC? What does L mean with:
Transcript
Do not know Their very aloof bodies
Details
| Title | Theodore Graebner letter to W.C. Kohn - October 31, 1918 |
| Creator | Graebner, Theodore |
| Source | Graebner, Theodore. Letter to W.C. Kohn. 31 October 1918. Graebner, Theodore Collection. Concordia Historical Institute, St. Louis, Missouri. |
| Description | Letter from Professor Theodore Graebner to W.C. Kohn, President of the Lutheran Church Board for Army and Navy. The letter also included notes taken by Graebner. Theodore Graebner was a Lutheran Pastor and Professor of Philosophy and New Testament Interpretation at the Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. He was a gifted writer and influential theologian. Throughout his life he wrote various German and English publications including the Lutheran Witness. Graebner helped shape the teachings and culture of the Missouri Synod. |
| 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 | October 31, 1918 |
| Language | English |