convention in Chicago, May 7, 1860, the Swedes and Norwegians severed
their connections with the District Synod of Northern Illinois. The
rupture was the direct result of the admittance of the Melanchthon Synod
in 1859, which the Scandinavians regarded as a fateful victory of the
Platform men. In the preambles of their resolution of withdrawal the
seceders state: "Whereas we are fully convinced that there is a decided
doctrinal difference in our synod; and whereas there in reality already
exists a disunion, instead of union, in the synod; and whereas strife
and contention tend to destroy confidence, and to weaken our hands and
retard our progress; and whereas we are liable at any
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