The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-12-18
ANNIVERSARY MEETINGS.
Annual Needing OF the Evangelical
Alliance.

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Annual Needing OF the Evangelical
Alliance.
meeting of this society was held last Tuesday,
In Dr. Csmpbelrs church, Spring street. The
meeting was respectfully, though not umerousy,
attended. The chair was taken by the Rev. DIR.
Lewis. On the platform were the Rev. Drs. Camp
bell, Baird, Bacon, Peek, and the Rev Mr. Kirk,
OF Boston.
The proceedings having been opened with
prayer,
The Rev. DR.. BLAIR stated that he had been a
delegate TO London from the Evangelical Allianse,
and that he lad, in some sense, report to make
of the meeting which was held there He had at
tended great meeting held in London, In the year
1886, when the General Evangelical Alliance was
formed, and the foundation laid, and the organiza-
ton, in the main, accomplished That meeting
was one of lost wonderful character II was an
interesting experiment, to bring together Christ
ians from all parts of the Protestant world Nearly
every branch Of the Protestant church was repre-.
sented. He had been told that there were 100
ministers present on that occasion; and although
great many of them resided within the British
realms, yet there were many who came from foreign
lands. AS many as q ty sixty were from the
United States, considerable number from the
Continent, and even persons from India, aud
from various parts of the missionary world.
Its results had been eminently useful particularly
in the influence which was made upon our own
country. II was beautiful sight to see men of
great diversity Of opinion ON minor subjects coming
together to adopt the basis OF the Christian faith
beautiful to see the spirit Of devotion which pre-
vailed during the fourteen days the meeting lasted.
But he thought the meeting which occurred in Lon
It was not ga general alliance it was the fifth
annual meeting Of the British branch. This, he
supposed: was the fifth annual meeting of their
branch. The British branch had interesting annual
short time in the principal cities of England. The
services consisted chiefly Of praise and prayer
ard exhort alton and the subjects of exhorta-
ton were chiefly those which concerned Chris
tian union, but this year the case had been diff
ferent. 1t had been proposed, some months ago,
in England, that as great many strangers were
there On account Of the Great Exhibition, and
which, 1t was supposed, would draw great many
in the nature Of general character should be pro-
pounded. He did not know from what quarters the
proposition came. He thought it probable that the
suggestion came from the Rev Mr.. Herschell of
London. who had labored for the conversion of the
Jews. Their brethren, in England, decided that
they would give such a character to the meeting
this year, and invited Christians ministers, and
other brethren from all parts Of Christendom.
Many persons made arrangements to be present,
particularly on the continent. The meeting held
this year resembled the one held in 1876. There
were as many ministers attended from day to day,
as in 1916 The meeting lasted for about two
weeks, and there were present, on many of the
days, IS many as eight hundred or nine hundred
gentlemen, mostly ministers Of the gospel, and
considerable number of ladies. IL a very into
resting thing to see what intense interest main
taired from the commencement of the proceedings
to the end. What gave great Iterest TO the meet
ing, this year, was that, for the first time, the
When they proposed to have such an alliance as
this Of the object, set forth in the country, by
the persons who originated it, was to bring together
interesting information from all parts Of the Chris
tan world. Ii was supposed to be a most useful
thing to have, once in Eve or seven years, minis
tiers, and other Christians, from all parts Of
Protestant Cbristendom, to spend several days
together, and communicate informal ton from their
respective countries, upon the state and prospects of
evangelical religion. The proceedings commenced
every morning at half past ten, in the Freemasons'
Hall. which held | 600 people Some distinguished
ministers Of the gospel of different denominations,
in the British realms, presi ded Addresses were
made on topics of aspiritual character. Everything
was well arranged. Then came tae regular bus-
ness Of the day, which was assigned to 1t. Every
Cay report was read, which would lead to discuss
sion. The meetings continued on from day to dav,
until or III o'clock, from the I'D august to Sd
September. inclusive, excepting the Sabbaths,
What an immense amount CT information was
brought forward on these occasions DR.. Cum
ming read essay on Popery in the British realms;
another occasion, the state Of religion in France,
was the topic; and then came forward several DIS
uDpukDeo rrencbmen VINO READ their addresses
Another day was devoted to the topic Of the state
Of religion in Switzerland day and a half to the
state OF religion in Germany; one day to Italy; and
one day to the prejudces and religion of the Jews
ever. The subject of infdelity occupied day, and
Ronsnism part Of a day. These subjects were
discussed with great fullIess and ability The in
formation Obtained at that meeting would be pub
llshed in an octave volume, and would be q most
valuable book as showing what the religious state
OF the world was As men same from various coun-
tries to give information, IL would be far more
authentic than could otherwise be obtained
lie desired TO see q similar meeting In this ceun-
try, and they would have something 10 DO to
occupy the mind with the valuable Information
impaired. such course would draw men together
from al parts Of the United States, prepared to
lay before meeting Of this nature valuable in.
formation ae to what Is going in the religious
world. They needed much TO know what was
eoirg forward in the religious world, in these days
Most OF them were well acquainted with what is
going on within their own societies, but who was
well acquainted with what was doing in all the
branches Of the Christian church, even In this
land who among them had clear idea Of what
was doing among Christians Of every denomination
Of this land They were inclined to think only Of
those denominations to which they belonged, and
frem ignorsoce or otherwise, were discouraged. IL
the Christian world The Rev. gentleman pro-
ceeded TO dwell at some length upon the interest
ard beauty which such knowledge afforded. IL was
interesting to see in London 20 gentlemen from
came from States where 1. was but few years ago
impossible TO find q Protestant out Of the valleys
Of the Waldepses. He was not sure whether any
came from Spain or Portugal Eighteen came
from this country. The last meeting Of the
British branch was net q portion Of the pro.
eeedirgs Of the Evangelical Alliance. On the
night OF the I'd Of September there was a
meeting held In London, at which there were four
hundred or Eve hundred gentle mem present mostly
French. They bad the sacrament Of the Lords
supper celebrated ut the close Of the evangelical
alliance. IL was an interesting sight to see Chris
tians from the Continent, Of all thus
assembled. The services we're conducted in the
English, French, and German languages There
we're fourteen or fifteen ministers from various coun-
tries. There was no question asked as to what
church they belonged The reverend gentleman
remarked upon the beauty and interest such a spec
tscle afforded. He had preached In the pulpits Of
fourteen or fifteen denominations. He spoke of the
opportnnities be had bad Of witnessing the unity
OF faith and love which existed In the various
churches in this country. and concluded By urging
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