At this time greetings to the General Synod were read from Mr. Robt. Weidensall and the Cumberland Valley Conference of the West Penna. Synod in session at McConnellsburg, Pa.

Rev. Wm. M. Baum, D. D., reported for the committee on the Overture of the Northern Indiana Synod, as follows:

Committee on Overture of Northern Indiana Synod.

To your Committee were referred the proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual Convention of the Synod of Northern Indiana, with the following action marked for our consideration, as recorded on page 30:

Whereas, Our Book of Worship in its present form is too large for convenience; and

Whereas, Many of our people object to and utterly refuse to use the socalled "Common Service," and refuse to purchase the book on account of it; therefore

1. Resolved, That we as a Synod respectfully but very earnestly petition that the General Synod, at its next meeting, instruct the Board of Publication to publish an edition of the Book of Worship sufficiently large to supply the demand, omitting the aforesaid Service.

2. Resolved, That we hereby instruct our Delegates to the General Synod to present this memorial.

Your Committee has given this Memorial careful consideration, and as a fitting and respectful response, we recommend that this General Synod do now, by special vote, declare its acceptance or refusal of the request it presents. We offer the following question for decision: "Shall the petition of the Northern Synod of Indiana be granted?" Respectfully submitted,

W. M. BAUM,
W. E. PARSON,
J. F. SHAFFER,

E. D. SMITH,
G. B. HILLER,

J. G. BOYER,

W. S. DYSINGER.

Upon the presentation of the above the following was offered:

Resolved, That we adopt the report of the committee and that the request of said Synod be not granted.

(For action, see Eighth Session.)

After discussion, the time of adjournment having arrived, it was agreed to meet in special session in the evening, and that the interests of the Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Societies be the special order, to be followed by the report on the Orphans' Home at Loysville, Pa.

The session was closed with prayer by Rev. H. K. Fenner, D. D.

SIXTH SESSION.

SATURDAY, 7.30 P. M.

The opening prayer was offered by Rev. G. W. Miller, D. D., and the minutes of the preceding session were read and approved. The following report was now offered and on motion adopted:

Report on Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society.

The closing decade of the nineteenth century is peculiarly a period of surprising activities and of marvelous progress. In church life and religious ministrations Christian women have come to the throne of power and influence. Less than a score of years ago, women were literally compelled to keep silence in the churches. But within the last decade this is changed; woman's hand is now busy in all the missionary and benevolent activities of the church, and her heart is intent upon the development of resources as never before.

There has been no convention of our Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society since the last meeting of the General Synod. The Canton meeting of the Missionary Society was held the week prior to the meeting of the General Synod at Lebanon, and the meeting of 1893 will not be held until June 24, after the sessions of this Synod have closed. Your committee therefore has been placed under peculiar disadvantages in gathering matter of interest, but nevertheless, through the kindness of the corresponding secretary, we are able to present some facts and figures which show in a most encouraging degree the progress that is being made.

Twelve years ago the Convention was held in this city for the purpose of organizing a Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society of the Lutheran Church. The meeting was composed of women who represented Missionary Societies newly formed, but with sufficient experience and enthusiasm to effect a strong organization. Many had grave fears of such an undertaking, some opposed it, but God smiled upon that first General Convention of the women of our churches which was held in Canton in 1881. It was then revealed that

there were 153 societies in 13 Synods, reporting a membership of 4,019, and contributions to the amount of $7,067.93. Two years later there were 237 societies, 6,394 members, and contributions amounting to $11,379.85. In 1885 there were 330 societies, with a membership of 9,525, and contributions amounting to $18,744.52. In 1887 there were 425 societies, with 11,129 membership and $25,117.10 contributed. In 1891 there were 575 societies, membership of 16,293, and $35,209 contributed. In June, 1893, the corresponding secretary will report 677 societies, 18,397 membership, and $37,457.29 contributed. The total sum contributed during the last decade amounts to $157,132.47, and from the beginning, $164,200.40. This is certainly a splendid record. The work has made rapid and substantial progress from the beginning. It has not only supplemented and increased the efficiency of the different Boards, but has stimulated the churches to increased offerings for missions. The Woman's Missionary Society has revolutionized the parochial reports of many of our congregations, and filled blank places with eloquent figures.

But splendid as this record is with gratifying results and triumphant progress, there yet remains much land to be possessed. It must not be forgotten that many congregations have two and sometimes three missionary societies, so that the number of congregations having societies amounts to only 491leaving nearly 1000 congregations without missionary societies. In the Iowa Synod 14 congregations have societies and 13 have none; Northern Illinois Synod, 18 congregations with societies, 27 with none; East Pennsylvania Synod, 30 congregations with societies, 80 with none; Miami, 18 congregations with societies, 25 with none; Pittsburgh, 31 congregations with societies, 52 with none; Nebraska, 21 congregations with societies, 33 with none; Kansas, 23 congregations with societies, 26 with none; Maryland, 44 congregations with societies, 78 with none; Alleghany, 30 congregations with societies, 105 with none; Central Pennsylvania, 56 congregations with societies, 30 with none; East Ohio, 15 congregations with societies, 59 with none; Wittenberg, 17 congregations with societies, 55 with none; New York and New Jersey, 18 congregations with societies, 24 with none; Susquehanna, 24 congregations with societies, 45 with none; Northern Indiana, 17 congregations with societies, 46 with none; West Pennsylvania, 34 congregations with societies, 103 with none; Olive Branch, 18 congregations with societies, 13 with none; Hartwick, 20 congregations with societies, 14 with none; Franckean, 12 congregations having societies, 22 with none; Central Illinois, 12 congregations with societies, 16 with none; Middle Tennessee, 3 congregations having societies, 8 congregations with none; California, 7 congregations having societies, there being a society in every congregation.

In view of the foregoing exhibit of the work, your committee would recommend the reaffirmation of the action of two years ago, namely:

I. That we recognize in the Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society a most efficient and commendable agency in the promotion of benevolence, in the increase of activity and religious zeal, a marvel in growth and

development, and a most welcome co-adjutor in the benevolent work of the church.

2. That we earnestly entreat pastors in connection with the General Synod in whose charges Auxilliary Societies do not exist, or only to a partial extent, to do all in their power to have them organized at as early a day as practicable, and where they do exist that they lend them every encouragement necessary to secure their greatest efficiency and thereby comply with the Apostle's injunction to "help those women also, who labor with us in the gospel."

3. That Young People's Societies and Children's Bands in connection with Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Societies be also organized, not only to secure greater efficiency in the present, but also to develop the young as fully and speedily as possible in the noble grace of liberality.

4. That the sincere thanks of the General Synod be and are hereby tendered this body of noble workers, for their valuable contributions toward our Home and Foreign work.

We present herewith a tabulated chart showing number of societies, membership, and amount of contributions by Synodical Societies, for each Biennium from 1881 to the present time, with the recommendation that it be printed with this report.

It was agreed that the tabulated statement mentioned above be printed in the minutes, and it here follows: