The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-03-04
CHURCH AND STATE.
The Pittsburg Religious Convention
Speeches of DIR. Kerfoot and
Bishop McIlvaine.
FROM EUROPE BY CABLE.
The proceedings Of Congress To-day.
Etc, ETC., Etc, Etc, ETC.
The Pittsburg Religious Convention
FROM EUROPE BY CABLE.
The PrOceedings of Congress To-day,
FROM PITTSBURG.

The Convention to Urge the Recognition Of
the Almighty in the COnstitutiOn--Last Eve
ninR's Proceedings.
Special Despatch TO The Evening Telegraph
PITTsBURe, March 4.-The evening session of
the convention to urge the recognition of
Almighty God in the Constitution of the United
States was opened with prayer, after which the
President introduced Bishop Kerfoot. He had
prepared two resolutions, upon which his adj
dress was founded.
The first asserts that the United States is and
always has been Christian nation. The
speaker described the opening soemnities of
the session of the Continental Congress at
which the Declaration of Independence was
signed, and traced the workings of the national
conscience in our history, both political and
religious. The nation was born Christian, and
we shall not allow her to be robbed of her birth
right.
The recognition of God was universal. The
courts, legislative assemblies, and Presidential
thanksgiving proclamations all speak the same
language; but now that our principles were as
sailed the emergency requires its official recog-
milton and assertion. Infdelity and its opposite
superstition, unite in pronouncing the nation
goddess,
1t is time for us to demonstrate the contrary
We cannot express whole law in written recog-
milton, but some changes are essential, and this
is one. The nation is rapidly preparing for it.
The power and providence of God have been
felt in our recent national experience. The
boldest unbelief has been sown broadcast in
books of instruction. In politics, the people
are taught that no power is above them.
Man never made human government; il is
Gods decree-God's authority delegated to men.
This principle is the only true principle OF
government; any other is false. The speaker
quoted from sermons of his own, preached years
ago expressing the same idea.
DR.. McIlvaine of Princeton, stated plainly the OBJ
ject sought, to avoid Misrepresentation. We
eschew sectarianism. taxing our stand upon truths
wi al arp the
truths which make men Christians. one of the
greatest merits OF the movement is urging forward
this spirit OF catholicty. There is nothing further
from us than the union of the Church with the
State. Such union must prefer the doctrines Of
some one sect; but here all denominations meet to-
We hold the Church and State to be coordinate,
neither amenabe to the other but that God is the
creator of both, and each bound to recognize Him.
The enemy have taken religion out of politics. and
ruined that They now propose taking 1t out OF
education, which will ruin that and it will only
| main to take it out OF the Church also. While we
| reverence the forefathers we must not consider
| their political work perfect advance impossible.
| We remain stationary like the Chinese. Christian
| people must take Bible authority on civil govern
| ment; it says government il an ordinance OF God.
| Its power is all ultimately derived from Him, only
| mediatey from the people.
| The Constitution is goddess instrument, and was
so intended. AS written charter it s merely a
description of physiological constitution, and in its
vital laws our nation is essentially Christian; free
| government itself is Christian institution. We
want written guarantee Of this that Christian
| principles are attacked on all sides While protect
i
choose what principle shall mould the character ol
| the nation.
Eight-tenths of our people, if not Christian, desire
for their chdreps sake, that the nation be Christ
ian If we fail to make 1t so now while we have the
1 power, the result will be great religious In
| this country. The issue will be made upon the ban
| ishment of Christianity, and its vitality will be
| forced to assert itself. If it fails in its duty now
| the nation cannot continue to prosper.
| The audience was very large and attentive. The
list of members is still increasing, representing al
sections of the country. Quite a number OF !ady
| delegates were enrolled.
| This Mornings Proceedings.
prayer by DR.. Sproul.
| THE RESOLUTIONS.
| The Committee on Resolutions reported:-
First. Resolued, That civil governments grounded
like the family, in the principles OF the nature OF
and functions thus determined by the Creator. and
is therefore, like the family an ordinance OF God.
| Adopted unanimously.
| Second. That nations as soyereignties welding
moral as well as physical powers, and having mora
as well as material objects, are morally accountable
| to God.
| Adopted, after warm discussion, many desiring tc
1 make the religious element more prominent in the
| resolution.
The third resolution declaring that the moral Law
| under which nations are accountable includes tht
revelation OF Divine will contained In the Bible, Wa'
under discussion at the close OF the morning session
| The Committee on Resolutions consists OF Drs
| McAister and McIyaine, Professors Stoddard, Is. l.
| Fahnestock b. X. Bradford, heys Alexander ClaTi
and Samuel Laird and Messrs. Thomas M. Marshall
| j. +. Wallace.