The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-10-12

COMMENCEMENT OF THE MTILENIUM.--The
broad church movement, Notwithstanding the
ridicule that has been cast upon it, is rapidly
gaining adherents. In Philadelphia, the other
day, gathering of laymen and clergymen be-
longing to the various Protestant sects was
held at Epiphany church for the purpose of ad-
vancing its objects. The Episcopalian, Pres
byterian. Baptist, Methodist Dutch Reformed,
German Reformed, Lutheran, Moravian, Inde-
pendent and other congregations were all re-
presented at it by their leading men. A more
remarkable scene has never been described in
the inception Of new religious movements than
was presented at this meeting. Not only did
the most perfect harmony of sentiment prevail
in regard to the benefits to be gained to Chris
tianity and civilization by the promotion Of re-
ligious unity between the different sects, but
the audience, to the number Of nearly two
thousand persons, carried away by the enthu-
siasm of the moment, joined in one common
form of worship, thus realizing at once the
practicability of the fusion.
To get the sects who have been so long and
SO violently opposed to each other to meet
upon a common religious platform of any kind
is an evidence of the remarkable revolution
which is silently taking place in the
Christian world Ten years ago the
possibility of such an event would have
been denied and ridiculed. Now it seems a
natural coincidence with the great social and
political changes which are altering the face of
society both here and abroad. The progress
of enlightenment which has led to the one has,
as matter Of necessity, produced the other
If common sense and the interest of humanity
are in future to be the influences which are to
govern the political relations of mankind, it is
plain that priestcraft and bigotry must lose the
ascendancy which they have hitherto main
tanned over the masses.
The more intelligent and sensible of the
clergy of the different religious denominations
Catholic as well as Protestant, are beginning
to appreciate these truths Amongst the
former is witnessed growing disposition to
curtail the pretensions Of Rome, while amongst
the latter a conviction seems to be fast gaining
ground that the jealousies and animosities
which separate the numerous sects into which
Professionalism is divided are incompatible
with the new order of social and political
ideas upon which we are entering They
have, in short, arrived at the conviction
that if as a priesthood they are to preserve
their influence over mems minds, it can only be
by course of conduct which shall initiate as
closely as possible the unbounded charity, toll
erance and meekness of the Saviour.
Had the late revivals, which in the minds of
many were associated with the idea of impos-
ture, been animated by this great moving prin-
ciple of religious unity, there is no doubt
that instead Of the temporary results which
they produced, they would have been attended
with permanent benefits to society. Instead of
being made field for the ambition of few
aspiring young parsons who were anxious to
gain little notoriety, they would have enlisted
the aid of all the really sincere and enlight-
ened of the senior clergy. We do not see, even
now. why these revivas may not be revived on
the new broad church platform, to the great
glory and advantage Of religion generally.