LUTHER

See also:

• LEAGUE

LEAGUE  , a religious association for young people in the United States of America . It began with a local society founded by delegates of six Lutheran church societies in New York City in 1888 . The first national convention was held at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, on the 3oth and 31st of October 1895 . The basis of the league is the Augsburg Confession . Its member-ship is open to " any society of whatever name connected with a Lutheran congregation or a Lutheran institution of learning." According to the constitution its objects are " to encourage the formation of the young people's societies in all Lutheran congregations in America, to urge their affiliation with their respective state or territorial leagues, and with this league to stimulate the various young people's societies to greater Christian activity and to foster the spirit of loyalty to the church." The league publishes a monthly paper, The Luther League Review, in Washington . According to its official report it had 70,000 members in 'gob, which had increased to more than roo,000 in 1910 .