The New York herald., 1873-10-20
UNITY CHAPEL.
Sermon by the Rev. w. j. Clarke on
the Evangelical Alliance.

Sermon by the Rev. w. j.. Clarke on
the Evangelical Alliance.
The Rev. w. J. Clarke preached in Unity chapel
in Harlem, last evening, on the subject OF "The
Evangelical Alliance" and taking for his text the
Acts OF the Apostles, xv., 16, beginning, "And the
apostles and elders came together" &c.
He spoke of the first Christian council In Jerusa-
lem, which showed much liberality and breadth OF
sentiment in admitting the uncircumcised Gen.
tiles to fellowship He regretted that we have not
a copy OF the Jerusalem Herald OF those days SO
as to read full report Of the entire proceedings
Of that primitive council. He was sorry that some
recent councils lacked the liberanty shown by the
Evangelists Of Jerusalem.
FROM THE FIRST EVANGELICAL COUNCIL
to the one just adjourned, there is very long
interval This one was formed SO late as 1846. to
band Protestants together against the encroach-
ments OF Rome. The Alliance was at first unpop-
ular in Europe, but soon political events favored
the spread OF its doctrines. The great elements
OF modern life-rairoads, books, telegrapns, immi-
grafton, newspapers-tend to break down secta-
rianism, and bring our people together. The God
OF civilization Is mghter than the God OF theology
The preacher rejoced in the Council for M its ex-
When 1t is remembered that twenty-five years ago
the sects were wrangling, and that such Council
was impossible, we can understand the JOY the del
egates felt in uniting In deliberations. The re-
proach OF Professionalism has been its divisions. In
Ts Gt OF Se
best part OF it. II unity ever comes it will be
the most liberal grounds: The Atlantic cannot be
AN APOLOGY FOR CREED
which 1t takes pains TO say nobody need believe
jected because the Council would have gone to
pieces like raft whose ties are broken, II 1t ven-
tured ON creed making. IL did not dare 10 hang
up theological thermometer to see where the
intellectual mercury stood. The time had gone
by when q creed was post for man to tie him
sell to; but now it is point OF departure. The
point wherein the Council failed sadly was its
treatment Oi science. The theologlans were as In
in steel mail to handle the weapons OF modern
warfare The recent scientific discoveries clash with
with and ex
plodes the tradition OF the Falls and the doctrine OF
evolution annihates the old idea OF creation out OF
nothing. But the doctors treated the subject with
grapple With science they dropped their doctrines
and took stand on natural religion, which sees God
in the globe as well as out Of 1T.
SCIENCE Is A NEW REVELATION.
cades isai ali worlds @ a and ali men. Criticism has
explained the universe, with its sun and worlds.
criticised the inadequate way IN which the
Council dealt with the great questions Of
Charities were the mere ornaments Of Or religion to
be worn like bows Of ribbon or buttons on coat
tall He protested against the claims OF the Alli-
1t was evangelical Professionalism, and
and nothing else. One-half OF Professionalism
man Catholic Church, which 0utnumbers 1t at
least four to one, was excluded and anathema-
tzed The Greek Church, with twice the number
OF adherents, and with traditions that reach back
TO the foot OF the cross, was ignored Nine-tenths
of living Christianity was turned out OF DOORS It's
excusiveness was its condemnation. The
idea OF true Christian council is represented by
a great library, IN which all sects and schools have
place. and the great teachers OF all ages stand side
by side in eloquent silence showing unity in d.
versty and contributing to the totality OF truth.
The preacher said that the Free Religious Asso-
ntott .nfntc cnfg
tact in all sects Of religion. 1t stands forth the
heart OF faith and hope, and up-reach Of all races
OF men. II means the freest inquiry and the bold
est expression. Its members are explorers and
pioneers, rather than defenders or builders. Some
OF the addresses last week were remarkable for
their ability and comprehensiveness. They dealt
with vital subjects In vigorous and realistic way
but the preacher regretted that so many OF the
disc0urses fell below the level OF their idea. Fault.
finding Is q poor substitute for faith