The New York herald., 1879-09-21
Theological Celebrities Assembled
in Switzerland
BASLE AND ITS GUESTS.
Pressense, Van Oosterzee, Macarthur, Bis
marck-Bohlen.
CLOSE OF THE SESSIONS.

Alliance met in this city Sunday. August 81. The
first meeting OF the Alliance was held in London in
August 1S45. and subsequent conferences have
taken place in Paris. in 1855; in Berlin in 1857 in
Geneva. In 1861; in Amsterdam In 1867 and in New
York. in 1873. Very after the organization Of
the Evangelical Alliance 1t began to ex-
hibit very bold front against religious
persecution and q profound sympathy with
the suffering For example. its protest against the
imprisonment Of the Madai at Florence. in lS47; its
efforts to deliver Matamoros and his friends from
the hands Of tho fanatca Isabella Of Spain and its
influencing of King Oscar. of Sweden to revoke the
laws which deprived the Catholics of that country
OF tho right Of residence there prove it to be bold
and at the same time broad and liberal In its
spirit and efforts One Of its most important
works has been its effort In favor Of
the liberation of the Protestant Lutherans Of
the Russian Baltic Provinces from the religious
disabilities which had been inflicted upon them. 1t
even sent delegation to the Russian Emperor
Alexander. and while no pledges were made on the
part of the Emperor later events proved that the
Alliance Committee had really gained their end.
Tho Alliance very early took an important part,
delicate the task in favor OF the prosecuted
Bulgarans and this great body of Protestant Chris
tians did very important service in preparing the
Christian nations for generous sympathy with the
Bulgarians in their struggle for Independence ~
THE CITY AND THE cELEBRrTIEs.
The city OF Basle has been completely taken by
surprise by the large number of guests who have
arrived. Some three hundred only were expected.
and now the number has gone beyond fifteen hun
dred. The tickets given to members for seats uron
the platform no longer servo Q purpose. as only
those who go early can have any opportunity what
ever for seats. The most of the sessions are held
in St Martins Cathedral. though some are
given to the representatives. from America
and Great Britain Special sections have been organ
lied the speakers in the English French and Ia
tan languages Thus Ear the exercises have been of
intense interest to the vast audiences which have
gathered in the various places Of meeting. The
largest gatherings. of course. are in st. Martins
Cathedral, where all the exercises in the German
language. Councillor Sarasin Of Basle. has been
appointed president of the Conference. and with
him have been associated number Of vice presi-
dents from various countries. The president. how
ever, occupies the chair the most OF the time. aud
the time allotted them. One OF the vice presidents
IL Count Bismarck -B0hlen, an active and earnest
He has taken part in the informal discussions. and
speaks as thoroughly evangelical man. Indeed,
this session of the Alliance s more remarkable than
any previous one held on the Continent for the In
terest taken by laymen of great social influence and
recognized worth. This we might expect In the
United States but on the Continent 1t Is phenom-
enon which great Another one the
vice presidents is DR.. Pressense, OF Paris He 10
man OF stout frame; gray hair: very un,p.risian ,
work. Van Oosterzee. of Holland, is also here He
stands at the head the Dutch pulpit and theology
He is gentleman OF the old school, thorough
Dutchman In physique and manner. Alderman Nc
Arthur. OF London. is another vice president aud
has presided at several OF tho AngloAmerican meet
tngs. r.ir
THE ADpRKssEs.
On Sunday evening: the sist an immense audience
of welcome by Pastor Ecklin. of Basle. The
preacher confined himself to the Scriptural view of
Christian Fellowship and association: Dr. Schaf
discussed the relations Of Basle to British Chris
tianiy and the service which this city had rendered
the whole Church. He was followed bv Professor
viquet of Lausanne who addressed the audience in
French. The first formal opening OF the real work
of tho session was on Monday morning. Councillor
but somewhat lengthy address. He spoke of the
brotherhood of all believers and gave the Alliance
fellowship in Switzerland and the work which
is still before the Church it can fulfil the mis-
address the regular speakers the programme for
the day announced. DR.. Guder. of Berne.
drew dark picture Of the state Of tho Church He
represented evangelical religion divided and
declining. But he named several causes for
encouragement. DR.. Cremer. Of Greifswsid
University. gave an encouraging view OF
the state Of the Church in Germany. The church is
masses. On Tuesday Pastor Bligh. OF England. re-
ported on the religious condition OF that country;
United States. DR.. schafY spoke OF the denomi-
national divisions OF the American Church. and
said that they all dated from the dis
tue afternoon DR.. anderson OF the Baptist Church.
To-day the discussions have been the state of
ligious federation in the European countries. DIR.
mnrsssian by choice and besutsul address on
Christian fellowship. DR.. Rgg went over the
condition OF the European countries In respect to
religious toleration. aud showed that Austria and
Bavaria really behind Spain and Italy in the
toleration Of religious Worship.
The Rev. DIR. Brown. president OF Hamilton Col
lege. New York, read paper which Dr. Thompson
had prepared, but who, from indisposition. un-
able TO be present. Referring to the Conference at
Berlin and the action then taken in relation to the
question Of religious freedom in Turkey he said the
result had been favorable and no thought that they
vided that "in part of the Ottoman Empire shall
difference OF religion be alleged against IN indi-
CARDS the discharge OF civil aud political
rights. sdmission to the public service func-
Inherent professions and indus.ries. s The same no
declaration was made concerning each and every
State affected by the treaty and the great point Of
union OF the leading Powers of Europe In divorcing
religious faith and Worship from civil and political
discussion took place on the whole subject and
the feeling of the Conference evidently one Of
deep sympathy with tho oppressed.
EosPrrABIR PRESIDENT.
This afternoon Mr.. Theodore Sarasin, o wealthy
layman. has invited the whole Alliance to his coun-
try villa spend the late afternoon and evening In
his gardens. He has provided special tram. and
tickets back aud forth are given to all guests and
their friends He has very beautiful home at
Riehm. the Rhine. and immense grounds.
They filled with guests. for his invitation has
been very generally accepted Over the entrance his
grounds he has placed q motto May thy incoming
and outgoing be blessed" He has had printed =
special "Book OF Melodies" for tho OF his guests
Little services organized In different parts OF his
gardens. and all can attend them walk about and
converse. as they choose. Among Americans pres
cnt are Drs. Philip Schaff. 4. W. Chambers, ]. II.
Hurst, IL. \. Porter, q. II. Tiffany. =. De Vcuve f.
A. wasbburn and Bishop Cheney. A special book
OF Hymns" In tho German, English. French and
Italian languages. has been printed for the use OF
the Alliance ut the various meetings. directory of
guests and delegates has also been published. The
proceedings OF the meetings are published in very
brief FORM and come out tardy the evening OF the
day following their occurrence. This contrasts
very unfavoraby with the funess aud despatch
with which tho proceedings OF the New York session
Of the Alliance were published.