New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-10-13
WHAT 1T AMOUNTS TO.
DR.. HALL ON THE RESULTS OF THE AL
LANCE.
A BRIEF REVIEW.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.

ference or the Alliance has closed, what practcai 10
suits may be anticipated from it. But what good
comes OF IL at last a. said little Wilhelmine, IN the
poem, they told her of the battle Of Blenheim, OF
which outward and sensible Sign In her song Ia
the poem OF a white. round, human skull. so IL ~
asked What good comes Of the Conference And what
good comes OF our sermons and saoramentsf why,
they from year year. and many evils still cry to
God from the earth Yes. but each Of them does some
portion of moral and spiritual work; each of them
bears its share in the results have in morality,
honor and goodness I'm the community; and their
efficiency begins TO be suggested to us When We hourly
ask. How would 1t be II there were none OF thesef III
men are brought nearer to God and to another II
the world IS much more real to them; II their
small selfish aims disclosed to themselves, even for
moments and they get even gmpses OF better and no
bier objects possible for them, they are made better
and their influence will be better in the future and
there has been something accomplished already But
1t may DO said this is but " evanescent good WILL
The meaning OF this phrase only be that 1t s good
will that will not last Who has right to say that or
it may be meant that these demonstrations Of it are
only temporary. We must all go back To
our regular toll Well know that. But
are they therefore useless When man
the Atlantic twice for some ntercnahRo
good will and affection between his mother ana sisters
and himself, who shall say 1t Is useessi And why
should not the exchange Of affeconae and apDrecia
tive feeling with mother church sister churches be
OF immense value though immediate visible results DO
not appear3 The most practicable results attalnaoo
I'm Church love- JOY peace, long sunerng' gem
tIeness goodness faith. meekDess. Temperament" ana
when the Church Is full OF these her power will ney
tably be felt in tho world. The Alliance has called az
tentlon in most emphatic to those modes OF re-
gious thought known as Evangelical" 1t has pro-
claimed the JOINT and profound conviction that faeh
not saved by themselves, nor through chrch
rites but through faith and by Christ II Ideas be inc
mighty power they often represented this Is no IN
considerable result. 1t has demonstrated the eager
earnest desire the people for what called the Sim
mic Gospe" There have been papers and addresses OF
great literary excellence but the most cordial responses
were commonly made by tho assembled thousands 10
distinct. unadorned announcements OF what would Do
called ordinary vital truths" This may be Regarded
by some as popular fanatcism. Be 1t 80. 1t Is the
fanaticism OF tho who saved Europe from barbar-
ISM and of the men who laid the foundation OF this re-
public 1t demonstrated the possibility of coopera-
ton among the Churches aud shown that In any con-
tngency they can act together without embarrassment
or compromise, for they do not come to-
gother on tho ground that truth diminish
es in importance, but on the ground
that truth Is to fought held defended propagated In
love IL has shown that larger aims are before Protest
ant Christendom than mere antagonism TO Rome, the
fear of which probably did much to originate the ALI
ance. But mems minds have been enlarged since that
event Rome is only of many agencies unfayorable
TO human welfare other forces beside pure Protest
antsm sapplng and mining her walls She has made
foes herself OF liberty, national independence the IN
stnct Of the family, aud the spirit Of progress The
Professionalism Of the Alliance looks at the mass OF man
kind that has the of Christian, pes that
mass plans methods OF relief and urges cooperation,
and missionary courtesy in occupying the field which
is the world" Every minister and every churchman-
we use the word in its just sensewhO felt the influence
OF the Mission Day." tho Committee on the Pro-
gramme called Friday, when this work passed under
review aud who goes home determined TO preach, and
think and hope and give, becomes permanent power
in this direction and how practical the results are may
he seen the paper presented by Dr. Eddy That no
narrow or selfish aim that fills man who prays and
gives not to spread Mehodsm, make Presbyterans,
but TO conquer, and a world IL man Is made
great by thinking Of great things, what enlarging
force the missionary idea which has been mag
nided so much in this Conference. rhe same remark
applies to Sundayschool which occupied an enthusiast
meeting aud to approaching, which, though IL does
not seem q moving topic, handled by George II.
Stuart that aged men, learned dlvines, and sober
friends" could not wipe away the tears they
The problem Of dealing with the lapsed masses in our
ces and the places of practical benevoence in opera
ton in Europe and America, also examined with
the most eager interest. and thoughtful
only obtained suggestions, but received new i'm
pulses
When the thinkers Of our time come together in Con-
gress Association is supposed that they decide
by vote among competing theories dogmatc systems
OF education Ignorance does not disappear before them
like mlsts before the sun. They do not usually
pass resolutions They compare views. report facts,
and provoke. another love OF science and good
works her service This, and little more Is aimed at
by the Alliance a working body IN conference. and
this is adequate and sufficient. Every now and then
welmeaning person las every one knows who has
attended such scientific meetingsl labors to get an ex
preston OF opinion favorite hypothesis or cher
shed project but Is generally and wisely withheld.
so 1t is with such religious conferences The Anne rican
mind Is habituated to settle things In mass meetings
that does not hesitate to seek in them the settlement
of the hardest questions The managers of the Confer
ence wisely DECLINED such responsibility. We say wisely
for when natural opposite views were taken on
the duty of the State to the Churchhe only matter
which few hasty sparks were elected in the collision
OF yew-what gain would there have been to any in
a body of good Americans voting down dozen or two
Englishmen on the question of establishments And the
same thing to various questions which persons
unacquainted very naturally with the aim OF
the Alliance might have wished to see discussed
and settled for example the question OF secret
societies the other hand various matters not abso
utely religious received favorable notice The Peace
Society had good word spoken for Its objects though
possibly all its positions to war would not be accepted
by many Mr. Bergh had the opportunity to innoculate
the members with his laudabe pity for the brute crea-
ton The slavery that still exists and implies slave
trade stgmatized as 1t deserves and the proper
committees had RENTED to them the yigiant OF
certain Baptbrethren whose misfortune is to suffer
for conscience sake but whose probably would not
be bettered by premature publicity being given to 1t.
The utmost good will has been manifested on all
hands ministers and people, the city, the public institu
tons the railway and steamship companies, and indeed
all in any way capable Of doing anything, up to the
Presdent have been appreciated cordially and thanked
warmly for their kindness French and German have
locked hands in Christian magnanimity, and our people
Of both nations may we'll be ledt think they notice
the esteem In which Christian men OF their father
lands ara esteemed in America for 1.-The truths sake