The New York herald., 1873-04-27
THE EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE.
The General Conference in This City in Octo>
ber-Who Will Be Present and Whs
They Will Talk About-The Unifca.
ton Of Chrstendom Looked For
Cost Of the Conference-Pur-
poses and Aims Of
the Alliance.

Prayer Meeting and similar religious service4
throughout this and other lands originated, gave
impulse to the growing Protestant desire tor Chris
tian union. Many aud repeated efforts have been
made since to bring Christians together in coun-
ellis or conventions for the purpose ei comparing
views and getting nearer to each other in spirit
as well in person. But all such efforts have,
either failed altogether or been only partially sue
cessful. out OF this union idea sprung originally.
the Evangelical Alliance, whose great council is to
be held in this city from the I'd the 18th of 0cto-
ber next. The first General Conference OF
the Alliance was held in London in the year
1S46, and there 1t originated. In 1857 the
Alliance met in Berlin and representatives from
this country were present, among them Bishop
Simpson and DT. Mast, OF the Methodist Episcopal
Church, who presented an exposition OF the spirit
and doctrines and purposes OF Methodism. Repre-.
sentatives from other denominations and countries
were also present, and read papers Of great Inn
portance.
POsTPONEMENr OF THE AMERICAN CONFERENCE.
The wars which succeeded each other in Europe
and America soon after 1857 somewhat dampened
the enthusiasm OF the ALLIANCES, and its conferences
were few and lar between and were sparsey at
meeting should be held here in August, 1879:
but the Franco-Prussian war interiered and
now bcIure ns the praspedt az tne asos aaon
OF hope long cherished by American Christians
the meeting of the representatives. OF all Pret-
estanttsm on our own SOIL The general councils
OF Professionalism must of necessity be ireo
associations. Professionalism Is not a monarchy
controlled by a visible head 1t Is, above all
else, spirit which has embodied itself in Diff
fering yet harmonious institutions. Essentially 10
is one, and needs only fit expression OF
sciOusness OF unity, to defend religious liberty,
which is the ile-breath of Professionalism, to MAIN
tain Christian morality, to stimulate as it may tha
spread OF the laitn, are the worthy objects OF the
Evangelical Alliance. The General Conference
w mi n will lnra
ship over no mans conscience, Will utter no
anathema, but, gathering all it can OF light and
love, Will commend tae work Of the Lord to His
followers all over the world
OBJECTS OF THE ALLIANCE.
;, one OF the Chief motives which prompted this Al.
lance into being was that Professionalism mighc
present u united 'front.' to tile heather world, as
Romahism does. But in erecting this purpose it
became absolutely necessary that Christians should
be brought into closer contact one with another.
Professionalism has gradually invaded every civif.
lied country in Europe, ana has planted the cross
in the centre OF heathendom. But it's influence has
been greatly marred by the unseemy wrangles OF
slightly differing denominations over non-essen-
tails IN doctrines or church poity. The Alliance
has armed to suppress bigoted and sectarian con-
troversy, and It has in part, and TO q great
extent, IN some parts, succeeded. 1t aims also to
secure religious liberty in every land and for
all men, and its efforts In this direction have nos
been fruitless. couple Of years ago. it will be re-
membered, deputation was sent to Russia to en-
treat the Car to grant RELIGIOUS liberty and
equality to his SUBJECTS. The mission only par
italy successful, but vet 1t bore some ruit. While
the imperial government will not publicly recog-
nlZe any Obtler form Oh altn tidn Greek CatnOlk-
cism 1t does not interfere with other iorms. Its
apparent hostility to the expressions of religion fs
represented to be directed against Jesutism ather
than Professionalism, ana Is designed to guard
against political intrigue and civil ecclesiastical
dissensi0ns.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY IN RUSSIA
There Is In Russia very extensive organization,
at whose head is the Grand Duke Constantine,
whose aim is somewhat similar to that OF the
Evangelical Alliance. 1t seeks to bring Christians
more closely together and to help them to see eye
to eye in spiritual things. But in this effort the
Greek Church is TO be the whale that Is to swallow
all the Jonahs that may be cast out OF the ecclc.
sastical ships or Europe or Asia.
r,. A lew years ago Rev. Dr. schaf, OF the Union
on mission to induce the leading Christian men
and men OF thought OF that Continent to attend the
General Conference OF the Alliance here next FAN.
At first he met with very little encouragement. Tho
representative men OF Professionalism in Europe arc
comparatively poor, the distance to the New World
great, the expense heavy and time to them valua-
BILE. They objected to leave their homes and their
families. The American branch of the Alliance
agreed, hovev to bear the expenses Of those who
might accept the invitation both hither and back
and during their stay here. This expense win
amount 70 about thirty thousand dollars, OF which
sum 900 has been In the treasury since 1870. Tho
American churches are asked 20 raise by subscrIp-
tions or collections the balance promptly And to
awaken enthusiasm in this direction series OF
meetings in the Inherent churches In this city and
in Brooklyn have been planned and are now being
held ON successive sunday evenings. Such meet-
ings have already been held during the present
month IN the Reformed church IN Fifth avenue and
church, in Madison avenue tihirty-first strcetl
Baptist church, in st. Paus Methodist Episcopal
church, Fourth avenue and Twenty-second street,
last sunday, and tonight one will be held in the
First Baptist church, in Park avenue and Thirty
ninth street.
TIE COUNTRIES TO BE REPRESENTED.
Between Ave hundred and one thousand defe-
gates from Europe and the East are expected TO
be present here at the meeting OF the Alliance,
and their entertainment iur Zen days two
weeks will, OF course, cost q considerable sum.
The British Isles, Germany, France, SPAN, Russia,
Scandinavia, Italy. the Netherlands india China.
Australia, British North America, south and cen.
sented in the Con terence by such men as 1schen-
dori, Van 0osterzee, Hoimann Cairns, DR.. Dorner,
WARREN Of Boston Dr. tneen Of hs c rep
resentatves from the Southern states, and prob
cinthe and such representative men Of the Catholic
THE TOPICS TO BE DISCUSSED
are "Chrstian Unon,o "Christauity and Inf
deity" "Christian Life," "Protestantism and Ro-
mansm," "Chrstianity and civil Government,n
and Social Evils, .'sunday schools. .nSc. report
on the state OF religion in each country repre-
sented In the Conference will also he made These
topics are coextensive with the whole range Of
CHRISTIAN thought In our century. Meetings will
be held during the day at Association Hall and the
Presbyterian and Methodist Episcopal churches
adjacent to II. Public evening meetings IN the
Academy OF Music are also contemplated, and one
or Two meetings may be held in Brooklyn during
the sessions oil the Conference. Such gathering
Of evangelical Christians iIom all parts OK
al and lar reaching effect both active and retro
active. & upon the the countries tMy represent and the
country Iucy VIII Nislt. we Will have something
TO give them as well as something to receive from
them America viii exhibit TO the Christians OF
the Old world the spectacle of religion prospering
without aid from the State: OF nation living
without standing armies ana overgrown naviea
and yet respected by the world; OF practical
evangelism which is the appropriate supplements
OF Old World scholarships; OF the great ends
Orr, ol christianity attained by the most most ener. n
the effect OF the Conference will be an in
creased love Of the Christians. Of Europe and
America for each other. And in common with
orher members Of the American press, VINO have
done something toward the unifcation OF Christian
sects into one common brotherhood OF believers.
the HERALD welcomes the Evangelical Alliance tn
the shores OF the New World, and Will faithfully
chronicle its proceedings next october.
ONLY ONE VOICE AGAINST THE ALLIANCE.
The Independent Is the only so-called religious
journal that opposes the Alliance Conference. In
its view the Alliance "ancunts to very little being