Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-12-25
THE PEACE MOVEMENT.
Recent Action OF the Executive Committee
ofthe Ecclesiastical Conference.

Recent Action OF the Executive COMMITTEES
of the Ecclesiastical Conference.
The. Executive Committee of the Eccle-
siastical Peace Conference, which Is d.
recting the work of securing the concur
renee II the churches Of Christendom
In q petition to governments In behalf
OF arbitration, held a meeting last week
In the ONCE Of the president OF the State
Bank. In this city. The committee hav-
ing failed In their efforts to raise the
funds TO send representative to organize
cooperating committees In the several
countries of the Continent OF Europe.
met 10 consider how. In this state OF
embarrassment, they could further prose-
cute the work. The failure 10 raise the
needed money was greatly deplored; but
Notwithstanding this source Of embarrass-
ment, 1t was determined not to desist
from the further prosecution OF the work.
even though they could not now carry
out the plans which they believed would
be best to accomplish the end In view.
ASK COOPERATION.
As a representative could not now be
sent to Europe, II was determined to
ask the cooperation Of the Arbitration
Alliance OF Great Britain. This associa-
tlOn IL tne OutgTOWtn OF u CO-OpcTHllDB
committee in Great Britain. appointed by
the Richmond committee with n view to
the interests OF the cause In Great Britain.
90 efficiently has the British committee,
under the able leadership of its chairman,
w. Evans Darby. d. D., LII. d.. prose-
cuted the work in their own country that
they have secured the adoption of the
petition by the church assemblies Of every
denomination. except the Church Of Eng
land. and they have the cooperation OF
a number Of very prominent clergymen
OF high rank In that Church.
The service which the alliance is asked
20 undertake is set forth in the following
letter, addressed to that body by the
chairman OF the committee:
THE LETTER.
To the Executive Committee Of the Arbi-
tration Alliance Of British Christians:
Gentlemen,-You have been acting in
twofoid relation, representing both the
American Executive Committee OF the
Ecclesiastical Peace Conference and your
alliance. In the prosecution OF our COM
mon cause in your own country. The
American Committee now asks you to lay
before the Arbitration Alliance the fol-
lowing request, which, If compiled with,
will extend the sphere Of your represen-
tative service.
The American Executive Committee has
been endeavoring to organize committees
on the Continent of Europe similar TO
that out of which grew your alliance;
but owing to our great distance from
these countries, and our not being able
to send a representative to act for us on
the ground, We have not been able to &C
complish this purpose. We now respect
fully request the Arbitration Alliance 10
undertake this work for us. Your
proximity to the other countries of
Europe. the constant communication be-
tween your capital and the capitals and
other cities OF the Continent your know
ledge Of their churches, customs, and
laws. and your influence with the Chris
tian people of Europe. place you in
position TO accomplish the purpose in
hand which we do not hold and cannot
attain. Moreover. the example of your
own eminent success in organizing an as
ISOLATION OF 80 many men of piety. ability,
AMI prominence. and in securing the
concurrence Of the British churches in our
petition, will give great weight to over
lures coming from you to the Christian
people of the Continent.
We therefore. ask you to organize
cooperating committee In each OF the
countries Of the Continent, whose office 1t
shall be
First, To secure the concurrence of the
churches OF its own country In the petit
ton TO governments when We have in
hand: and.
Secondly. To appoint a suitable deputa-
ton of influential persons to present the
petition to the government. In making
this request oil you we wish 10 assure
you that 1t is not because our zeal In
the cause is tagging, but because we
believe you can carry forward this move
ment more efficiently than we can. We
will do all in our power TO cooperate with
you. and will exert ourselves to bring TO
bear the influence of the churches OF
Christendom upon the governments of
Christian nations in support Of the cause
of arbitration.
On behalf of the committee.
Very respectfully and fraternally yours.
w. A. CAMPBELL, Chairman.
Richmond. Virginia, u. s. A., December
Il, 1891.