The New York herald., 1873-08-25
Representatives Of Europe and America and
the Islands Of the Sea EXpected-Great
Preparations Making for
Their Reception.
Dollinger and Reinkens Re-
fuse to Come.
Origin and Oharacteristics of the Alliance
A Speck of Trouble on the Communion
Question What Is Proposed
and What Expected.

tn0 the attention which it deserves. so great an
array of eminent names has, probably, never
before been called together to deliberate upon
matters connected with the progress OF Protes-
ant Christianity Nor was the Protestant world,
apparently, ever so ready to listen TO the counsel
OF such an ecumencal council as 1t Is today. The
movements toward western civilization and re-
uyion which we behold the nations OF the Orient
making invite the calling together Of this Alliance
Convocarion. And from France, Germany, Great
Britain, the Netherlands Scandinavia, Italy,
Spain, Russia, Switzerland, the British North
American Provinces and the distant colonies OF
the south Pacific, from South America and
the islands OF the sea, as well as from
many States of this Union, delegates are expected
10 come and to pour out their thoughts and their
words OF maturest wisdom in the ears OF each other
and OF the New York Christian public. The ap
pointed meeting OF the Evangelical Alliance will,
doubtless, be an event Of more Importance than
any similar assemblage OF modern times The 0c.
casion and the purpose OF the Council magnify in
consequence. Nor can we conceal the thought
that the epoch in our own history when,
and the place on our own soil where
the conference will be held, are not unimpOrtant
circumstances. Civn and religious liberty have
here achieved their proudest triumphs. We have
now no shameful national sin to dim the lus:re Of
-
struggling for existence, nor divided nation,
whose different members are claiming recognition,
but we present before the world the strength and
glory OF free and happy people. The elements OF
moral power and OF true greatness are combined
with the causes OF our progress We are not only
Tree and prosperous people, but we are mighty
before the powers OF the earth,. because we are
Christian nation. Although there is here
NO UNION OF CHURCH AND STATE
and no en- orcement OF ecclesiastical authority by
the arm of secular power, yet as a people we pro-
less the principles OF Christianity, while AT the
same time cheeruhy concedng the rights ofJews,
MahOmmedans and Pagans in our land. We
reverence the Bible and hold sacred the rights of
religious liberty Our religious sentiment is an
element of strength and greatness. Its
power is mightier than thatsof mans law
There is no better place than our land
for an assemblage OF Christian representatives
TO meet and consult upon the fraternal and s1u-
pendOus interests of Christian Alliance.
1t is believed that the assembly will fairly repre-
sent the learning and piety of Professionalism; that
new forces of sympathy and new methods OF con-
cert between the various branches OF the Church
of Christ Will be exhibited, and that more ausp-
cious in the religious history OF the world will
date Its from the great conference OF 1879. The
duration OF the conference will be short, but its
work will be enduring. Various brOtherhoods will
be unified by new fraternal tie, who shall no
more treat each other strangers and foreign
ers, but fellowctizens with the saints and OF the
household of God.
For more than quarter OF a century the idea of
Protestant unifcation has had possession OF GER
tain great minds both in the Old World and in the
New; still, nothing materially important has been
accomplished in this direction. Great things are
looked for, however from the coming meeting OF
the Alliance. Not that any very de6nitve legsla
tive action is looked for from that body, though
there are some among the Protestant churches in
ths land who would Ike to see the Evangelical
Alliance assume modified Papal authority ovel
the represented and subscribing sects and churches
OF CbristendOm. Others there are who favor the
assumption OF an advisory rather than a legisla
tive character by the Alliance. And yet thirC
class see nothing good to come OF the great
gathering, and fear only evil as the result. This
class is however, by large, distinctive OF
important, and while the Alliance Will very likely
not assume any legislative authority over the local
churches or denominations represented, there Is q
strong probability that 1t will speak advisingly to
those who may hear concerning the petty diner
ences which now divide Protestant Chrstendom
and touching the best methods OF bringing min
listers and churches into closer alliance they
have ever before aimed at.
ORIGIN OF THE EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE.
As early as 1874 the weakness OF Protestant Chris
uanity, because OF the divisions and dlsseDsions in
its body, led some OF the then great minds OF Eu.
rope and America to seek some means OF restoring
harmony and unity in the body. For two years
preliminary meetings and conferences we're held
until measures had ripened sufficiently to warrant
ths holding OF a meeting in London In August, ls40.
FIFTY denominations were represented In that
gathering by 92l delegates from Germany, switzer-
land, Holland, France, Great Britain aud the
united states. Baptist Noel, OF London; Dr. Guth-
re, OF Edinburgh; Pastor Monod, OF Paris: Dr.
Baird, OF Baltimore; Drs. Kurtz. Schmucker Nor.
rfs OF the United States, and many others OF equal
eminence In the Christian Church took part IN the
deliberations OF that Conference The Alliance was
then formed, and its object was then and there de
clared TO be to promote Christian feeling and low
ing intercourse between the various Protestan,
denominations, and an effective cooperation
In the efforts TO repulse what 10 them appeared
to be the common enemy-Roman Catholicism
They saw with regret that the Catholic Churci
everywhere presented a united front, and that IL
heather countries especially this fact gave her
decided advantage over Protestant missionaries
They saw, too, with deep and sincere pity tina
Professionalism was perpetuslly dividing and sub
dividing itself into little sects about the meres
Iorns and ceremonies or appliances OF church wor
ship. The Introduction OF an organ or other In
strument OF music, the raising OF a spre on
church. the singing OF hymns or or improved metrI
cal versions OF the Psalms and such non-essentia
forms would drive away handful OF Christians
from the main body and a new sect was certain tt
be the product. And, like the divided members o.
family the difference between these several
branches has been dIffcult to heal. There has
never been any particular sympathy between
them, and consequently no concert OF action. The
feeling on the part OF several OF the churches TO-
ward these dissenting Protestant brethren has
been as bitter as that expressed BY the same
bodies toward the Church OF Rome.
FIRST MEETING OF THE ALLIANCE.
Al the first meeting In London, In 1886. the dele
yates therefore resolved 10 do what they could to
Leal these dinerences OF Protestants. Six dvi.
flons were organized as follows:-First That OF
Great Britain and Ireland; second, the United
states; third. France, Belgium and switzerland; !;
,ourtb, North Germany and a portion OF Switzer.
Aaloi I'LL, British North America, ana sixth, the