observed. As Paul says: "One faith, one baptism, one God and Father of
all," &c.

ARTICLE VIII. - WHAT THE CHURCH IS.

Although the church is properly a congregation of saints and true
believers; yet in the present life, many hypocrites and wicked men are
mingled with them.

ARTICLE IX. - CONCERNING BAPTISM.

Concerning baptism, our churches teach, that it is "a necessary
ordinance," [Note 1] that it is a means of grace, and ought to be
administered also to children, who are thereby dedicated to God, and
received into his favor.

ARTICLE X. - OF THE LORD'S SUPPER.

In regard to the Lord's Supper they teach that Christ is present with
the communicants in the Lord's Supper, "under the emblems of bread and
wine." [Note 2]

ARTICLE XI. - OF CONFESSION.

[As Private Confession and Absolution, which are inculcated in this
Article, though in a modified form, have been universally rejected by
the American Lutheran Church, the omission of this Article is demanded
by the principle on which the American Recension of the Augsburg
Confession is constructed; namely, to omit the several portions, which
are rejected by the great mass of our churches in this country, and to