Evening journal., 1899-09-22
FOLLOWERS OF KNOX.
Prominent Presbyterians to
Gather at Washington
FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD

HOW THE MOVEMENT oRIGI-
MATED AND WHAT IT HAS AC-
CoAiPLISHED-THE MEN WHO
GUIDE THE WORK.
Washington, Sept. 22.-About the
year 1870 some Of the leading Presby-
terians Of this country and Great Brit
ain conceived the idea that an alliance
of the churches in the world holding
the Presbyterian system Of govern
ment would be Of great value. giving
an opportunity for the holding of in
terdenominational conferences wher
methods might be compared and tie
people of the reformed churches en-
abled to show to the world an insnfr-
ing fellowship and unity Of purpose.
Rev. DR.. James McCosh, then president
of Princeton University, and Rev. DR..
William Garden Blaikie, Of the Free
Church College, Edinburgh, Scotland,
were the chief leaders in the move
ment in their respective countries. In
ISIS the General Assembly Of the Pres
byterian Church in the United States
of America and the General Assembly
OF the Presbyterian Church in Ireland,
each adopted resolutions appointing
committees to correspond with the
Presbyterian and Reformed churches
Throughout the world with a view of
bringing about a council of such
churches.
The work Of these committee result
ed in a General Council, which was
held in London. England, in 1875. AT
this council representatives Of Presby-
terian and Reformed churches from the
United States, England, Wales, Scot
land. eIreland, Canada, France, Bel
GUM, Switzerland, Italy, Germany and
Spain were present, and the work of
the council included the organization
of the alliance of the Reformed
churches throughout the world, hold
ing the Presbyterian system" and the
adoption of a constitution. The next
meeting OF the Presbyterian Al
lance, as the organization is usually
called, was held in Edinburgh. Scot
land, and at it churches in Asia, Africa
and Australia, as well as Europe and
America, were represented. Since the
Edinburgh Council the alliance has hat
five meetings-at Philadelphia, Pa, in
1SSO; Belfast, ireland, in 1884; London
England. in 1883; Toronto. Canada. il
1S92, and Glasgow, Scotland, in 1896.
OFFICERS OF THE ALLIANCE.
Delegates to the Alliance are makinl
their way to Washington, d. c., wher'
a conference of the organization is Il
be held beginning September 27. Abou
eighty delegates from British churche
are expected and about two hundred
Americans. Besides these there will b.
a few from other parts of the world
Among these delegates are some of thI
principal men in the churches. Th'
president of the Alliance is Rev. DR.
John Marshall Lang. He has been 10
tweny-six years pastor Of the Baronl
Church. Glasgow, and about ten year
lago built new church edifce at a cos
of $150,000 to take the place Of tn
old building, which had been erecte'
about the first of the present century
DR.. Lang has been active in the edu
q cational and philanthropic work in tn
q city of Glasgow, and was also for som
years chairman of commission ap
: pointed to inquire into the religion
and moral condition of the people G
4 Scotland.
= Rev. DR.. G. d. Matthews is the gen
v eral secretary OF the Alliance. He ha
Q held pastorates in New York, Quebe
q and London, but now spends all hi
q time travelling about the world inquiI
ing into the condition of the churche
and furthering the work of the Al
lance. He comes here from Persi;
- and as soon as the council adjourn
y he will start for Paris. DR.. Matthew
n Is an Irishman by birth, but all cour
tries may now claim him, for he goC
/. constantly from one to another. or
% Of the delegates is Rev. Dr. JAIME
: Stewart, who is moderator Of the Ere
= Church OF Scotland, and resides in E'
IS inburgh He is a well-known man
" the church life of Great Britain, beir
ID best known for his wonderful work
~ Africa, where he was associated in Il
work of Livingston. other foreign del
gates are Rev. DIR. John Robson,
n Aberdeen, Scotland. moderator of Il
~ Synod of the United Presbyterii
w Church of Scotland; Rev. DR.. Villa
al Beatty, moderator of the General A
d, sembly of the Presbyterian Church
~ ~ Ireland Rev. DIR. A. d. F. Salmon