New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-10-11
A GERMAN CONFERENCE.
REMARKS BY PROF. sCHAFF, DIR. DoRMER' AND



OTHERS.
Long before the hour arrived for the open
ing OF the meeting Of the German delegates to the Evan
gecal Alliance last night Assocat ton Hall was crowded
with an audience composed OF Germans The papers
papers and discussions, which were all In German
were exceedingly interesting. DIR. Philip Shall ana
Dr. Bonner of Berlin, Dr. zimmerman OF Leipsic. Proi'
Chrstleib Of Bonn, Prof Craft OF Bonn, DIT Augustus
norner Of tiittengen Dr. Noel OF Berlin the Rev. Mr.
! Fludper of Madrid, the Rev. Dr. Kunmacher
| OF Branaenburg. DR.. Won schivenitz, DIR. Weden-
| hind DR. Bomberger, Prof. Spath, DR.. Mast
| and Others occupied the platform. The gen'
| oral subject discussed Comparisons Of
tbe German American Church in its Relations TO the
| American Church" This was subdyided into the fol-
| lowing dvisons " Church and Theology" christian
Theology and the Difficulties it has 20 Contend With in
| the Popular Life OF Germany" Reaction of the
| German Popular Sentiment Against Utramon
| tanismn 1.-THE Provision OF the Evangelical
ohurch and The Church and its Internal Work"
Iuthers hymn, Fan Feste Burg iSt UHSer GoH," was
first sung after which prayer was offered by Dr.
Dreyer OF Bremen. who appealed to the God OF
Abraham Isaac aud Jacob, praisng Him for ahording
those present the privilege Of greeting American
Christians in the German language. He thanked God
that Germans in country where they could seek
the same God they had worshpped at home and asked
this blessing TO upon these congregated at the Con-
ference and at this meeting.
Dr. schaf in opening the meeting, said that never on
earth had 40 wonderful gathering been seen
"a the Evangelical Alliance. Since the Coun-
ell Of Nice such convocation had not been
mold Other assemblies have had the Interior
object OF binding the individual conscience OF men,
This conyocaon loosens the conscience For i've years
he had attempted to work out the effect this meeting
bad produced and he hoped his efforts were about
10 be crowned with He welcomed and thanked
those German brothers who had crossed the Atlantic in
order to fraternize with Americans He urged
the necessity of forming a sincere alliance
between all sects OF Evangelical Christians
ane recommended that broad line shenld be drawn
between tree Christian life and merely sectarian doc
trnes which make salvation depend upon adhesion to
particular branch Of the church. In conclusion he stated
that the Emperor William had authorized him to con-
grauIate the Evangelical Alliance and to announce that
he gave them his cordial wishes for In the
struggle against superstition and infdety
The chairman then introduced Dr. Dorner. OF Berlin
who spoke upon the subject OF Church and Theology In
the course Of his remaks he said that discussion OF
German theological and ecclesiastical affairs seemed so
much out OF place in this country that he
woud conAne his remarks within very
narrow limits. He said that although
Germany would not sacrifice its individuality, yet 1t
would not attempt to enforce its tenets to an unneces
sary extent. As diamonds can only be cut by
diamonds 20 nations can only be improved by
contact with nations. Germany great as 1t is, can
be improved Dy anu llequeht
course with loher nations sHe SAID that divided as
tire religious bodies OF this country into numerous
sects he had greater evidences of more vital
religion than there are In the United States. The
,neaker closed his remarks by pointing out the advan
taces and OF union between Church and
state as exempl6ed by the Constitution eff the United
States and that OF Prussia.
Tbe Rev. Dr. Held said that he followed speaker
from whose mouth he had first heard the doctrines ne
noU ATTEMPTED TO teach. He said that, although the
rvanoelca Alliance ignored all difsre OF creed, t
vat all followers Of the various forms OF the
protestant religion. The Church OF Jesus Christ re-
sembes pure Deep flowing stream. wherein all brooks
ana ris are united and in which each meets its just
deserts.
The Rev Dr. Zimmerman OF Leipsig said that 1t had
heen remarked by American statesman that the Ger
mans are sentimental nation, while Americans are men
of deeds This might be but he and all the other Ger
mans who had panied him to this Conference could
NOT discover any difference between this country and
,ho,r own home SO warm had been the welcome TO
Amsrioa Such was the feeling which should unite all
branches OF the Evangelical Church. Christian love
should act as q sunbeam, which warns aud llu-
inmates all 1t shines upon the Church Oh zoo
OF any outside influences even or that OF ne state Inc
Chnrch OF Christ In danger any more than was the
ord when he slept board the yesse III the sea OF
Gnasoreth AS His disciples assured Him and He re-
buked the 30 He will awake whenever tue Chureh
shall have need ,.- - .s,.o,.o,
snch large assembly, and that IL was only by the ao
SENECA of DR.. Bomberger that he had 10 40 so
on thus occasion. and he hoped to do so satisfac,,
tnriiv by closing the meeting, which he postponed unt
snnday evening. DR.. schan then announced that the
remande OF subjects TO be discussed as announced
he had tomorrow night at the Cooper Institute
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