Christian Cyclopedia

(December 27–28, 1877; November 5–7, 1878; December 27–29, 1898). Free assemblies in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, of clergy and laity of various syns.; purpose was educational. At the first two, ca. 100 pastors and as many laymen attended; none officially represented a particular Luth. body; papers read and discussed were later pub. in 2 vols. The 3d was called “The First General Conference of Lutherans in America.” Similar conferences were held 1902 and 1904. See also United Lutheran Church in America, The, I.

First Free Lutheran Diet in America, ed. H. E. Jacobs (Philadelphia, 1878); Second Free Lutheran Diet in America, eds. W. M. Baum and J. A. Kunkelman (Philadelphia, 1879); The First General Conference of Lutherans in America, preface by H. E. Jacobs (Philadelphia, 1899).