The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-04-28
The Church of Emanuel and the Christian
Alliance.
To the Editor of the Press:

To the Editor of the Press:
My attention has been called to an ar
tloie III your paper relative to some
trouble in the Church OF Emanuel in your
city. In the article statements are made
that imply that this church bears some
relation to the Christian Alliance, that
the Alliance takes a position against
secret societies and that DIR. Simpson
may be called to settle disputes over this
subject in this church. write to correct
an evident misapprehension. 1t may be
well to say that was present at the Or
ganization of this church, have been
acquainted with all it's pastors except she
present one and know it's history. In the
| first place the Christian Alliance does not
| touch this secret society agitation. Its
leaders and members recognize their call
ing to be the proclamation Of the full
Gospel of Jesus Christ as Saviour, Sano-
tifier, Healer and coming Lord, and the
speedy evangelization of the world, and,
busy with this work of Instruction. and
evangelism, unlmportant side questions
are not taken up. An apparently strong
point is made against this assertion in
the article in your paper, in which it is
stated that since Mr.. Luscomb, who had
much to do with the church's organ MIA
tion and policy, was also missionary Of
the Alliance that he must have known DR..
Simpsons mind relative to secret societies
and acted accordingly. The fact is that
when the church was organized Mr.. LUIS
comb was but just coming in contact
with the Alliance, had out recently unit
ed with that body if he was member at
all and, l think, was not acquainted with
DR.. Simpson. He had been associated
with the Holiness League, and had his
own private conviction in regard to secret
societies which were not the result of any
connection with the Alliance, which
body as we have said does not touch this
question. Moreover, If the Alliance did
take position against the orders this
church would not be affected, for the
church has no connection with the Ali
ancs and never had any. The Alliance
is inte rdenominational in character with
mem bers in all evangelical churches, but
it is net sect. If any member of this
church, Or the church as whole, say
that they are ''a part of the Alliance"
and that DR.. Simpson has anything to
say about this question or any other per.
| tanning to the church they are laboring
| under misrepresentation as grave as it
would be if, because "a church had several
mem bers of the Woman's Christian Tenn
perance Union as members, it should
consider itself part of the w. c. r. u.
| and ask the president of that organiza-
| ton to settle its disputes. The cases
would be parallel. The Church of Emman-
uel was organ lied by members of the
Evangelical Christian Union, an organ
ization holding views similar to the
| Christian Alliance but also, in addition,
having an anti secret society plank in it's
platform. his organization was eocle-
| siastical, Ordaining ministers and organ
| izing churches, 1t was practically de-
| nomination, it had no connection what
ever with the Alliance and has passed
out of existence. The fact that some
Union members, the pastors Of this
| church and some church members were
also Alliance members does not alter tho
case in the least the church as o body
has no connection with the Alliance as q
| body and never had any, hence DR.. Simp-
son has nothing to do with the church or
| it's disputes. In view of the facts that
| the Alliance keeps free from this secret So
ciety question and that it is an interde-
| nominatienal body having no relation to
| this church whatever, it is obvious that
any talk about an appeal to Dr. Simpson
or any reference to the Alliance is wide
of the mark. These statements are made
with a full knowledge of the facts, made
possible by a longer connection with both
Alliance and Union than any of the par
ties named in the article who were con-
nected with the church hayo had and by
years of acquaintance and association in
Christian work with all the parties in
the case.
REV. GEORGE l.. KIBBEE,
844 Walnut Street, Manchester, N. Fl.
April 23, 1896.