Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-02-06
GOD AND THE STATE.
Meeting Of the National RefOrmeTs at
Pittsburg-AnOther FanaticaI
Howl.
A Determined Effort at Fastening a
Particular Religions Faith on
ihs Country.
The Substitute for the Negro is Chris
tianity, as Fanatics Believe and
Understand It.

PITTsBCRG, February 4.-The annual
convention Of the national reform association
met at ten O'Clock to-day in the Library hall.
An immense audience were present embrac-
ing delegates from almost every STATE in the
Union, and representatives Of all the evan
gelical denomination.
The meeting was called 10 order by Hon.
Felix K. Brunot, presiding, and Prof. J. r. ".
Sloane, OF the reformed Presbyterian semina-
~ of Allegheny, chosen president pro TEN.
Prayer was offered by Prof. A. A. Hodge, of
Pittsburg. The committee On permanent or
ganization having been appointed,
reported as follows: President, F.
+ Brunot; viceIpresidents, a. A.
1ndianna; Rev. n. r. Craven, New Jersey
DR.. j. B. Johnston, Ohio; Hon. T. n. B. Fat
terson, Pittsburg; Rev. Randell Ross, Mis-
sourf: Rev. NJ. Keiffer, Pennsylvania Rev.
r. B. Cameron, Wisconsin; Joseph Bower,
Florida; Rev. d. d. r. Kerr, PitisbuIg; Rev.
Jonathan Edwards, Illinois, and Rev. DR..
Rev. I. P. Stepenson addressed the eonven-
tion on " The ENDS We Seek" He maintained
that a union of church and State was not 10
be expected as the legitimate effect of the
work OF the association; that the object was
to get the State TO acknowledge Gcd for itself,
and not through the medium of any
church establishment. He cOntended that
the accomplishment Of the objects of
the association would not give any one Sc eta
rian body an advantage over another, but
merely preserve and perpetuate our christian
institutions as they have come 10 US from our
fathers. he said that attac Ks were being made
on the institutions by inhdels, and that they
were giving way before such attacks and the
only way TO secure them was by the acISnowl-
edgmenG of God in the manner proposed in
The association.
Rev. D. McAIlister, Of New York. addressed
the convention on testimonies to the religious
defect OF the constitution. He cited passages
from the statements of the most learned
urists, professors OF political economy and
ministers, IN testimonies OF the irreligiOus
character OF our national charter and the
dangers TO be feared rherefrDm
navrfd
ed the convention on the responsi bility of ma
tious to God. He did not see how any people,
who desired the reign Of God in their hearts,
could object to him reigntng in the nation.
He eombatted the idea that nation was a
mere aggregation of individuals, deriving all
its power from them, and said that that was
or church.
DR.. Brown, of Newcastle addressed the con-
vention on the relation of the proposed
amendment to the suffrage of citizens who
oppose it. The amendment, he said, was de-
signed 10 deprive no man of his rights,
whether Jew, Unitarian OF infidel.
Professor Z. A. Blanchard, of Wheaton col.
lege, Illinois, addressed the convention on the
conflict Of law. He admitted that no matter
how frequently God was acknowledged in the
constitution, II would no more make a
nation religious than putting a pump in a
well to increase the supply OF water. What
he wanted was to pump religion into our
laws until they corresponded with the chris
tan sentiment of the people. He was OF.
opinion that while it was not intended TO
unite Stste and church, IL would be better to
have the ballOt-bOX in the church than rum
shops, or that some religious test should be
demanded rather than accept the thieves and
drunkards that now make our laws.
SECOND DAY.
PITTsBURG, February 5.-The nation
al reform convention met at half-past nine
o'clock this morning, and the hall was filed
TO its utmost capacity. President George, of
Ohio, addressed the convention on the pro-
gress OF the work in that state, and said that
the movement was making widespread i'm
preston there.
Rev. Mr.. MiIligsn, of New York, addressed
the convention on the "c0nfiict in the world
between light and darkness, and urged that
all the powers of darkness were arrayed
against this movement. The committee on
declaration OF principles and resolutions pre-
sented the following points:
Flrst-The country and institutions founded
by christians should remain christian.
Second-W neither acknowledged or not, Je-
sus Christ is ruler OF the nations of the world,
and Gods moral law the nations guide.
Tnird-The constitution fixes the moral sta
tus Of the people. II the constitution be
christian the people will be christian.
Fourth-The objects of the a -sociatiOn is the
perpetuation of the christian sabbath, main
tain the bible in public schools, establish
proper regard for the sanc,ity of the marriage
relations, and TIE suppression Of intemper-
ance.
DR.. Balm. of Pittsburg, spoke on the patri-
Otic features Of the movement, and said that
if the laws Of the country had no higher
service than Harrisburg or Washington, they
were without any binding force upon the con-
sciences Of the people.
DR.. Keiffer spoke briefly of the impossi bility
of preserving civil liberty without devotion
TO rellGious duties. The question of the adop-
tiOn Of the declaration Of principles and the
resolution was decided by rising vote, every
one in the audience rising up aEd answering
in the affirmative.
The report of the executive committee
showed that nearly SIX thousand dollars had
been expended in the advancement of the
cause during the war.
EVENING SESSION.
PITTsBURG, Pa, February 6.-On re-
assembling OF the convention the report of
the general secretary was read. The report
claimed that the securing Of the recognition
OF God in the new constitution of Pennsyl-
yInia was due TO the exertion Of the associa-
ton.
The petitions to congress on behalf of the
amendment laid before the convention
summed up tfty-six thousand names. These
petitions are 10 be retained In possession OF
the officers until the number Of names Sc
cured reach two or three millions.
The enrolment committee reported one
thousand and sixty delegates present.
Professor A. A. Hodge, OF PittSburg, deliy-
cred an address on "Our Nation Historically,
and, Of Right, Christian MAJ Nation"
ecclesiastical convention, but political one,
assent bled to demand that politics should be
chrisiianized. I. b. B. Patterson spoke on
the relation Of the government and the con-
stitutiOn to christianity.
Rev. 6. +, ScoVell on "Independent Morals >
and President George P. Hays on the "Indi-
vidual Corporate Existence Of the State " AZ
ter the appointment of officers of the assOcia-
ton for tue ensuing year, the convention ad-
ourned sine die.
The convention in respect to the immense
audience that attended ITS sessions, was al
mosL a duplicate of the evangelical
alliance, meeting in New York city,
tense Interest manifested in the pro-
ceedings, have created q profound impression
in this city and vicinity.