EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE.
REPORT
OF THE
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONFERENCE;
HELD AT FREEMASONS' HALL,
LONDON,
From AUGUST 19th to SEPTEMBER 2nd INCLUSIVE,
1846.
^ublisfjett 6^ ®rtter of tfje Conference.
LONDON :
PARTRIDGE AND OAKEY, PATERNOSTER ROW.
EDINBURGH \ J. J. JOHNSTONE. GLASGOW: D. ROBERTSON. DUBLIN : CURRY.
AND ALL BOOKSELLERS.
1847.
ADVERTISEMENT.
At the last Session of the Conference, held on Wednesday,
September 2nd, T. Pf.rcival Bunting, Esq., moved, J. S.
Blackwood, Esq., LL.D., seconded: —
" That a Committee, consisting of the following persons, be appointed to prepare
and publish a Digest of the Proceedings of the Conference : —
Sir Culling Eardley Smith, Rev. Dr. Morison,
Rev. Edward Bickersteth, Rev. G. Osborn,
Rev. Dr. Jabez Burns, Rev. John Scott,
Rev. W. M. Bunting, Rev. Dr. Steane,
Rev. W. Bevan, Rev. A. S. Thelwall,
Rev. W. Chalmers, Rev. Algernon Wells."
Rev. J. H. Hinton,
Carried.
Rev. W. M. Bunting moved, Rev. Owen Clarke seconded : —
" That Rev. E. Craig be added to the Committee appointed to superintend the
publica:ion of the Proceedings of the Conference."
Carried.
The Committee appointed by the Conference which formed the
Evangelical Alliance, to superintend and publish a Digest of the
proceedings of that Body, at its Meetings, held from August 19th
to September 2nd, inclusive, do hereby authorize the present pub-
lication, which has been prepared by Editors selected by them.
The Committee much regret, that — as the duty of Editorial
Revision was found much more onerous than could have been
anticipated — the issue of the volume has been very considerably and
undesirably delayed. They trust, however, that its general ac-
curacy will, in some measure, compensate for this delay.
By direction of the Committee,
(Signed) Culling Eardley Smith,
Chairman.
Feb. bth, 1847.
*** It is expected that a Report of the Proceedings of the Con-
ference, held at Manchester in November last, for the Formation
of the British Organization, will be 'published in a few days.
CONTENTS
Page.
First Session, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 1846,
at 10 a.m 1
Rev. E. Bickersteth addressed the Con-
ference 2
Sir Culling Eardley Smith, Bart., took the
Chair 4
Preliminary Resolution 6
Appointment of Chairmen ,.. 8
„ Secretaries 12
„ Committees 13
Vote of thanks to Dr. King for his Nar-
rative 18
Second Session, at 5 p.m 19
Rev. Dr. Patton addressed the Conference 23
„ E. N. Kirk 25
„ M. Richey 27
„ Prof. Tholuck 30
„ Adolphe Monod 33
„ Prof. La Harpe 36
Third Session, Thurs., Aug. 20, at 10 a.m... 38
Public Meetings— Hon. and Rev. B. W.
Noel and Rev. M. Audebez 40
I. Resolution on the subject of Christian
Union, Rev. Dr. Wardlaw 44
Rev. Dr. Olin 46
„ S. L. Pomroy 49
,, M. Vernet 52
II. Resolution — Rev. John Jordan 54
Rev. M. Fisch 58
,, W. Anderson moved an Amendment 59
„ James Begg seconded 60
,, Dr. Cunningham offered a sugges-
tion 61
Fourth Session, at 5 p m 62
- III. Resolution — Rev. Dr. Buchanan ... 64
Rev. Dr. De Wit 68
J. P. Plumptre, M.P 70
Rev. E.Kuntze 71
„ R.W.Kyle 73
Fifth Session, Frid., Aug. 21, at 10 a.m... 76
Page.
IV. Resolution, The Basis, Rev. E.
Bickersteth 77
Rev. Dr. S. H. Cox 8 2
„ Dr. Byrth's Amendment 93
„ J. H. Hinton and Rev. T. Binney ... 95
., R. H. Herschell 97
„ Dr. Massie 93
„ Dr. Cunningham 99
„ Dr. Morison 103
„ J. Angell James 104
„ Dr. Wardlaw 107
„ Dr. Beecher 109
Sixth Session, at 5 p m no
Rev. Dr. Patton \\\
,, J. Haldane Stewart 115
Hon. and Rev. B. W. Noel 117
The Amendment negatived 121
Discussion on the Clauses ib.
Rev. E. S. Pryce's Amendment ,'/,.
Articles I. — III. adopted ]22
„ IV. and V. discussed and adopted ib.
VI. and VII. adopted 128
„ VIII, ; Dr. Beaumont and Rev. J.
H. Hinton propose Amendments 129
Rev. Dr. Reed 130
Seventh Session, Sat., Aug. 22, at 10 a.m. 133
Letter from Rev. James Hamilton ib.
Arrangements for Preaching on August
23rd 134
Discussion on Article VIII. continued 135
Rev. E. Bickersteth 136
„ Dr. Hoby 138
„ Dr. Morison 141
„ J. H. Hinton 142
„ W. W. Ewbank 143
„ O. Winslow and Dr. Beaumont 146
„ Ad. Monod 147
„ C. Hargrove 149
„ T. Binney 150
Hon. and Rev. B. W. Noel 151
Article VIII. adopted ,.' 152
CONTENTS
Pago.
: linances of the Christian Sabbath,
August 23 153
BieBTH Session. Monday. Aug. 24, at 10 a.m. 160
Article IX. Rev. Dr. Leifchild 163
Amendments proposed by Rev. R. S.
Hutchinson. Rev. Dr. F. A. Cox, Rev.
G. B. Kidd, Rev. S. A. Walker, Rev. F.
W. Gotch. Dr. Blackwood, Rev. E.
Kuntze, R. A. McFie, Esq., Rev. T.
Bim.oy 163-169
Supplementary Clause— Rev. Dr. Cun-
ningham's Amendment 170
Rev. E. Bickereteth.Rev. Dr. S. H. Cox,
I;, v Dr. Wardlav, Rev. J. S. Taylor,
K.\. Dr. Bunting, Rev. T. Scales/Rev.
Dr. Hoby, and Rev. Dr. R. J. Brown.
Amendment referred to a Committee 177
V. Resolution, Rev. Dr F. A. Cox, and
BeT. Dr. Bedford 178
Ninth Session, at 5 o'clock, r. U
Rev. Dr. Bunting brings in Report of
Committee
Order of the Articles changed
IV. Resolution, as amended — Rev. E.
Bickersteth
Rev. Dr. S. H. Cox
,, J. Jordan and others
Resolution adopted nem. con
Tenth Session, Tuesday, Aug. 25, at 5 p.m.
VI. Resolution, Rev. Dr. W. Symington
Rev. Alexander MLeod
VII. Resolution. Rev. W. W. Ewbank...
Rev. Dr. King
Rev. J. H. Hinton, and Hon. and Rev. B.
\v Noel
B«T. W. M. Bunting
Rev. J. Preston, and Rev. T. Scales
VIII. Resolution— Rev. Dr. J. Smith
Rev. C. Cook
„ Pharcellus Church
IX. Resolution— Rev. Dr. Peek
Rev Dr. J. Carlile
„ A. Thomson
„ i dward Fraser
., Dr. Be«>chcr
L83
182
L83
189
190 |
191 j
193
194 I
195 I
199 j
204 '
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
215
216
217
218
Eleventh SsSBIOlf,Wed., Aug. 26,at 10a.m. 221
X. Resolution, Rev. J. Haldanc Stewart 225
R,-v. Prof. Campbell 226
,, A. King and others propose Amend-
ments 227
XI. Resolution— Rev. T. R. Birks 229
J. M.Strachan, Esq 230
Rev. S. L. Pomroy 231
,. \V. Anderson's Amendment ib.
„ C. Hargrove and Rev. A. D. Camp-
bell 233
Page.
Rev. R.W. Overbury 235
XII. Resolution— Rev. Dr. Massie 237
Rev Dr. Baird 238
XIII. Resolution, Objects, Rev. J. Angell
Jamos 240
Rev. J. G. Onken 241
Various Amendments 243
Rev. Dr. Smyth 244
„ S. A. "Walker, Rev. W. Johnstone,
Earl of Roden 245
,. T. Frossard 247
., Dr. Bunting 248
., W. M-Ilwainc 249
„ T. Binney's propo.-al 250
Twelfth Session, Thu., Aug. 27, at 10 a.m. 253
A Fourth Public Meeting proposed 256
Paper read by Rev. P. La Trobe 258
Rev. T. Binney's Motion as to Objects ... 260
„ A. Tidman seconds it 263
„ Dr. Beccher 264
,, J. Angell James 265
„ Dr. Baird 266
„ E.N. Kirk 267
„ Ad. Monod 269
The subject referred to a Special Com-
mittee 270
Thirteenth Session, Fri. Aug. 28, at 10 a.m. 2/2
Report of Finance Committee 274
of Special Committee, Rev. J. H.
Stewart 276
Rev. E. Bickersteth ib.
,, Dr. F. A. Cox proposes a Periodical 279
„ W W. Ewbank seconds it 280
„ Dr. S. H. Cox and others oppose it ib.
XIV. Resolution— Rev. J. Scott 282
J. Trotter, Esq., Rev. Dr. Bunting 283
Rev. Dr. Robson's Motion — deferred 284
XV. Resolution — Organization 286
Rev. Dr. Schmucker moves 287
„ Dr. Bunting seconds 288
First Clause, Rev. J. H. Hinton's Amendment 290
Rev. J. V. Himes seconds it 296
„ J. Angell James .. 297
„ T. Brainerd and W. Patterson 298
„ H. Girdlestone 299
„ S. L. Pomroy 300
„ Dr. Smyth 304
Fourteenth Session, at 5 p.m 310
Rev. Dr. Patton continues the Discus-
sion 311
Rev. President Emory 317
„ Dr. Wardlaw 322
„ W. W. Ewbank 325
„ Dr. Baird 327
„ Dr. Urwick 328
„ Dr. Skinner 329
„ James Pringle 333
CONTENTS.
Vll
Page.
Rev. Adolphe Monod 33C
., Dr. F. A. Cox moves, Rev. E.Bick-
ersteth seconds, That the subject be
referred to a Committee 338
Rev. T. Scales offers a suggestion 329
Committee appointed 340
Fifteenth Session, Saturday, August 29th,
at 10 a. M 342
Devotional Exercises continued, during
the absence of the Committee 344
XVI. Resolution (Miscellaneous Reso-
lutions) moved by Rev. H.Girdlestone, 348
Seconded by Rev. Pharcellus Church... ib.
XVII. Resolution, Rev. Lord Wriothesley
Russell 350
Rev. Dr. Carlile, of Parsonstown ib-
XVIII. Resolution, Rev. J. L. Chute 351
Rev. Dr. Archer ib.
„ S. A. Walker suggests an Amend-
ment 352
Rev. R. W.^Overbury seconds it 354
„ N. Macleod opposes it ib.
Townshend Heatley, Esq. suggests an
Amendment . 355
XIX. Resolution, Hon and Rev. Leland
Noel 356
Rev. John Maclean ib.
Conference re-assembles at 4, p.m 357
XX. Resolution, Rev. C. Hargrove' 358
Rev. John Johnstone 359
XXI. Resolution, Rev. A. M. Rogerson... 360
Rev. Dr. Davis 362
XXII. Resolution, Rev. W. Arthur 363
Rev. Dr. Cumraing 364
Hon. Wm. Cowper, M.P 365
Rev. C. Cook 366
„ Dr. F. A. Cox brings up the Report
of the Special Committee 370
Rev. J. H. Hinton moves its adoption ... 371
„ A. T. Hopkins seconds it ib.
James Stanfield, Esq. dissents ib.
Rev. Is. Nelson moves an Amendment ... 372
„ Dr. Urwick suggests its withdraw-
ment 376
The Chairman urges unanimity 377
Rev. Dr. Smyth, of Glasgow 378
„ O.Scott 379
Hon and Rev. B. W. Noel 380
Rev.W. Bunting and Rev.PresidentEmery 381
" Dr. Bunting and Rt v.J B. Adger ... 382
,, President Olin and Rev. Dr. Mason 383
„ J. V.Himes and Rev.W.G. Brown,&c. 384
The Report of the Special Committee
adopted 385
Sixteenth Session. Monday, August 31st,
at 10, a.m 3se i
Rev. Dr. Bunting moves. That the last
Pag".
Resolution be placed among the Mis-
cellaneous Resolutions 387
Rev. Dr. Schmucker seconds it ib.
„ Gorham D. Abbott explains the po-
sition of the American Brethren 388
lev. Dr. Olin further explains 389
Hon. Justice Crampton regrets the Reso-
lution, and the discussion is renewed... 390
Rev. Dr. Beecher 395
„ Dr. Massie 397
„ J. Macleod 399
„ Dr. Skinner 400
Sidney E. Morse, Esq. reads a paper 402
Rev. E. N. Kirk explains 405
„ W. Livesey 409
„ Dr. S. H. Cox 411
Hon. Justice Crampton moves an Amend-
ment 417
Thomas Farmer, Esq seconds it 421
Rev. E. Bickersteth jjb.
„ J. H. Hinton opposes it 422
The Chairman suggests the re-commital of
the subject 425
Rev. Dr. "Wardlaw ib.
„ Dr. Massie ib.
„ Dr. Patton explains his position 427
„ Dr. Beecher and S. E. Morse, Esq... 429
Hon. and Rev. B.W. Noel moves, and Rev.
Dr. Beecher seconds, That the whole
matter be again referred to a Committee 430
Rev. Dr. Emory 431
The Motion put, and carried 432
Seventeenth Session, Tuesday, Sep. 1st,
at 10, a.m 433
Rev. Pharcellus Church addresses the Meet-
ing ib.
Sir Culling Eardley Smith brings up the
Report 43,5
Rev. J. H. Hinton moves its adoption 437
Sir Culling Eardley Smith seconds it 439
Rev. Is. Nelson objects 441
and moves an Amendment 442
Rev. Dr Carlile, of London 443
„ A. Tidmau and Rev. Dr. Wardlaw 445
„ Dr. Skinner and J. V. Himes 447
„ S. A.Walker 448
„ Dr. Urwick 449
,, Dr. Beecher 450
„ S. L. Pomroyand Rev. Dr. Patton... 451
„ Dr. Bunting 452
„ Dr. F. A. Cox 453
„ Dr. S. H. Cox 454
„ Rev. J. Hinton moves the adoption
of the Report, subject to revision of the
details 457
Rev. J. B. Brown suggests an Amend-
ment 4.* 3
Rev. J. D. K. Williams a^ks a question... 459
CONTENTS.
Page.
Committee appointed to consider details 459
Eighteenth Session, at 5, p.m 460
First Clause, Rev. Dr. Schmucker and
Rev. Dr. Bunting 461
Second, Rev. Dr. Hoby and Rev. Dr. Olin 462
Discussion on the Districts 464
Third Clause, Rev. Dr. Smyth and Rev.
S A. Walker 467
Fourth, W. Lepard Smith and M. Martin,
Esqs 468
Fifth, Rev. W. M. Bunting and Rev. Ph.
Church ib.
Questions and Explanations 470
Rev. Dr. S. H. Cox presents a communi-
cation from the American Brethren 474
Nineteenth Session, Wednesday, Sep.2nd,
at 10, a.m 476
XXI 1 1 Resolution (Closing Resolutions)
Rev. J. Beecham 479
R;v. R. H. Herschell 480
XXIV. Resolution, Rev. R. Eckett 481
Rev. Richard Reece 483
„ M. M. Clark addresses the Meeting 485
,, Dr. Bunting moves, .Rev. Dr. S. H.
Cox seconds, That Rev. M. M. Clark's
Address be entered on the Minutes 487
Rev. Dr. Baird, Rev. Dr.Olin, Rev. Dr. Pat-
ton, and Rev. Dr. Wardlaw address the
Meeting.
XXV. Resolution, Rev. Edward Frazer... 491
Captain Caldwell 492
XXVI. Resolution, F.Wills, Esq. and R«v.
Dr. Patton 493 |
Sir Culling Eardley Smith acknowledges it 494 )
Rev.W. Bevan proposes, That the Resolu-
tion be engrossed — Rev. Dr. S. H. Cox,
Rev. A. S. Thelwall, and Rev. Dr. Ur-
wick support it.
Page.
XXVII. Resolution, Rev. Dr. Wardlaw
and Rev. F. Martin 497
Rev. W. Bevan acknowledges it 498
XXVIII. Resolution, Rev. A. Macleod ib.
A. G. Ellis, Esq 500
Rev. E. Bickersteth acknowledges it ib.
XXIX. Resolution, Rev. O. Clarke and
Rev. Dr. Massie 501
XXX. Resolution, T. P. Bunting, Esq.,
and Dr. Blackwood ib.
The Organization, as revised, submitted
andadopted 502
XXXI. Resolution, Rev. Dr. Steane and
Rev. J. Scott 504
Session continued in the Evening 505
The Four Divisions of the Aggregate Com-
mittee authorized to meet to wind up ib.
Address of the Foreign Brethren ib.
XXXII. Resolution ib.
Minutes of the concluding Meeting read
and confirmed 507
Rev. Dr. Bunting's concluding Address ... ib.
APPENDIX i
Appendix A., Documents presented to
the Conference.
Documents from the Continent iii
. Documents from America
and the Colonies xix
Documents from Christian
BodiesatHome xxxiv
P.S. Declaration of Ministers ordained
in Prussia* xli
Appendix B., Statement of Accounts, &c. xlii
Appendix C, Alphabetical List of the
Members of the Conference lxxvii
List of Denominations of
which Members were present xcviii
* This should have been placed among the Continental Documents ; but it was not put into
the hands of the Editor till after that portion of the Appendix had been printed.
*******
**flflsJ*'
EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE.
August 19 /A, 1846.
FIRST DAY— MORNING SESSION.
The Members of the Conference, who had come from all parts of
Great Britain and Ireland, and from various Foreign Countries, to
deliberate on the formation of an " Evangelical Alliance," assem-
bled in Freemason's Hall, Great Queen Street, to the number of
about eight hundred, on Wednesday morning, August 19th. The
proceedings were commenced at a few minutes after 10 o'clock, by
Rev. Dr. Bunting, rising to move : —
" That the Rev. Edward Bickersteth preside over the Devotional Exercises."
Dr. Bunting. — Dear and honoured Brethren, I think I shall
have your unanimous .concurrence, in proposing that a friend, who
has been with us from the beginning — also had much to do in
originating and helping forward this movement — and whom it has
pleased Divine Providence, after a very serious accident and conse-
quent illness, to restore to a measure of health and activity — the
Rev. Edward Bickersteth — be requested to preside over the de-
votional exercises of this morning.
Rev. Dr. Morison. — I have unfeigned satisfaction in seconding
that Resolution. (Carried unanimously.)
The Chairman gave out the 100th Psalm (old version), which
was sung by all present. He then read Psalm cxxxiii. and
part of the 17th chapter of St. John, after which
Rev. J. Angell James (in the absence of Rev. Adolphe Monod,
of the French Reformed Church), engaged in prayer.
2 EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE.
The Chairman then gave out Hymn 62, of the first book of
Dr. Watts's Hymns, after which
Rev. Dr. S. H. Cox, of New York, engaged in prayer.
The Chairman then addressed the Meeting, and said : —
Honoured and beloved Fathers and Brethren, I feel unworthy
of that position in which you have placed me. I feel deeply in-
competent to its duties. I feel the solemn responsibility of opening
such a meeting as that which is now assembled. For thirty years I
have met different Religious Societies which have assembled in this
room ; but never before did my eyes witness such a scene — never
before did my heart rejoice in such an assembly as is now gathered
together. To our God be all the glory. I feel for myself per-
sonally, that I could not have been here at this time (though I
might have been, I trust, with my Saviour, in the realms of bliss
and glory), had it not been for the prayers which have been poured
forth by hundreds and thousands of dear brethren, whom I have
never seen in the flesh. God has graciously raised me from the
borders of the grave ; and I rejoice in the privilege of meeting my
beloved brethren on this occasion, painful as it may be to my
own personal feelings to take the post to which you have called me.
When our beloved brother, Mr. James, opened the meeting at
Liverpool — that ever-memorable meeting with which our work of
love began — he said he would us give "the key-note of Love:"
and well was that key-note responded to by every speaker. And
as that key-note was given, our God gave us Truth with Love, and
united our hearts in the great Truths of the Gospel which we hold
in common. May I suggest another key-note for our meeting at
this time ? the key-note of Praise and Thanksgiving to God ;
giving glory to him and exalting our one Redeemer. This may
seem in many respects inconsistent with our present position. I
strongly feel — I know my beloved brethren feel — that we all need
much deeper humiliation before God ; much more abasement of a
contrite spirit before him, in order to deepen and extend our union.
We are also surrounded by mighty foes on every side ; we know
that Ave wrestle, not merely against flesh and blood, but against
principalities and powers, and spiritual wickedness in high places.
We are exposed to the attacks of the open enemies of our
Redeemer, increasing and strengthening as they see us more united
and combined ; while our union, delightful as is the progress which
has been made, is but a feeble beginning. Why, then, should we
open with the key-note of praise ? I reply, I believe, that not only
my heart, but all our hearts overflow with thankfulness to God for
what he has already done for us. We see in every step of our
FIRST DAY MORNING SESSION. 3
proceedings that He has been present with us. He has extricated us
out of difficulties : He has marvellously appeared for us from time
to time : and He has especially, in all our meetings, given us the
spirit of brotherly love. Let us glorify His Name for it. By
offering praise we glorify Him ; and if we abound in praises, he
will give us with it deep humiliation. And while we glorify our
God — and come into his presence to praise his Name and tell of
his goodness to us, let us be abased in the sense of our own
unvvorthiness and unprofitableness. When Jehoshaphat went
against his enemies, and when the assembled army began to
praise the Lord, then the Lord gave them the victory ; and the
place was called Berachah, or blessing. At the dedication of
Solomon's Temple, when the singers were as one in praising the
Lord, then the glory of the Lord filled the temple of the Lord.
Oh, what cause we have for praise at every step in our way ! How
delightful it is to think, that we have here gathered together the
principal movers in this good work from the very beginning !
Those, into whose hearts, for more than twenty years, God has put
a desire to labour for the union of his people, are now assembled,
with one accord, with hope of a joyful conclusion ! What glory
should we give to God, for bringing our beloved Brethren from
Foreign Countries — travelling so many thousands of miles, unhurt
and uninjured, to unite with us in this great object ! What
glory should we give to God, for the grace he has given us,
to submit to one another in the fear of God, in our different
meetings ! I have never seen, in all my experience, more
blessed manifestations of that precept, " submit yourselves to one
another in the fear of God;" and, " the spirits of the prophets
are subject to the prophets.'' What thanks and glory should
we render to Him, for that glowing love towards one another which
He has put into our hearts, in endeavouring to advance this cause !
And can we doubt but that He who hath helped us hitherto, will
help us, will pardon us, will pity us, will direct us, even to the end?
We may thank him for coming victory, even as Jehoshaphat, before
the battle, thanked God for the coming victory, and gave him the
glory. Let us then praise his Holy Name ; let the spirit of joy and
praise animate our meetings; and may the Holy Ghost, in all his
rich effusion, in His plenitude of grace, descend upon us in our
meetings ! May the primitive state of the Church again be
realised ! and may the multitude of them that believe be of one
heart and of one soul !
Rev. Dr. Steane stated the order proposed for the transaction
of business.
b2
4 EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE.
Rev. Dr. Buchanan. — Mr. Bickersteth and Christian Brethren,
I am sure the motion I have been requested to propose will meet
with the immediate and cordial approbation of every gentleman
present. We must all be aware how much of the comfort, the
propriety, and the efficiency of the proceedings of this important
assembly will, under God, depend upon the competency of the
Chairman ; on his intelligence, his Christian feeling, his thorough
appreciation of the delicacies and difficulties of the momentous
circumstances in which God has called us together. And I think
we are happy in possessing among us a gentleman who meets these
necessities ; and who already, in the preceding Conferences, which
led to this important assembly, has exhibited all the qualifications —
and these of a very high order — which could be desiderated in this
important office. I beg therefore to propose, —
" That Sir Culling Eardley Smith, Bart., be requested to preside over the delibe-
rations of the Conference at its present sitting."
Rev. John Jordan, — Dear and reverend brethren, I need, I am
sure, add nothing to the observations which have been already made
by Dr. Buchanan in proposing that Sir C. E. Smith take the chair.
I will, however, make a single observation on the subject, and that
is, that one who has deservedly obtained so much honour in all the
Churches is the best fitted to preside over such an assembly as this,
composed, as it is, of members of all the Churches.
The Resolution was carried unanimously.
Sir Culling Eardley Smith, Bart., on taking the Chair,
said, Brethren, I feel myself perfectly overwhelmed by the position
in which I stand. Would that I could convey to your minds, (and
why may I not hope to do so ?) something of the enthusiasm which I
feel in witnessing this great assembly. And how have I imbibed
this enthusiasm ? I have endeavoured, (I hope I am not wrong in
saying so,) to place myself where my Saviour is ; and I have con-
sidered, humbly I conceive, what must be His feelings in looking
down on this assembly. Brethren, is it wrong to say, that when
our Saviour's eyes witnessed your entrance into this room, he
witnessed a sight, that, since the early days of Christendom, has not
been presented to the eyes of God or man ? Am I wrong in saying,
that when we joined in singing that hymn together, it came up from
an aggregate of voices and countries, which never before had swelled
together the song of praise and triumph to our God and Saviour ?
Brethren, I rejoice to think of the solemnity, the grandeur, the
nobleness of the object, and of the happiness of the circumstances
under which we have been brought together to day. But may I
FIRST DAY MORNING SESSION.
be permitted to add one or two grounds of congratulation, which
occur to myself, and may easily suggest themselves to you. Brethren,
when you kindly desired that I should occupy this chair, I felt that
that desire was the embodiment of a principle, and that principle is
this, that to day we have a combination of ministers and laymen in
Christian conference ; and in this respect we differ from any assem-
blies of the Christian Church, which have been held at other periods.
We come together honouring, I hope, the Christian Ministry, and
rejoicing in the grandeur of that office ; yea, I am ready to believe,
no office on earth is a worthy type of it. I believe that the captain
of a vessel, the highest officer of a municipality, nay, the sovereign