issue of this discussion. He trusted, however strongly some
Brethren might feel, that the issue of the present discussion
would be amicable, and lead all to rejoice in the blessing of God
resting upon us. He had anticipated that he should have seconded
Dr. Byrth's proposition in these terms — that the Doctrinal Basis be
adopted by the Conference in its original form — as it existed in the
Aggregate Meeting, and was reported by the Select Committee.
This he expected, on this ground, that the Assembly had been con-
vened on that Basis. All were here come together, for the purpose
of considering the propriety of forming a Confederation, upon that
Basis. Even our excellent and highly esteemed brother Binney
had said, that he signed the paper containing that Basis : — and a
more scrupulous mind, and a more conscientious mind, did not
exist among the Ministers of the Body to which they both belonged, —
that he was able to sign it, after calm and prayerful consideration :
and many others had come up with this calm and prayerful conside-
ration. They were ready to go so far in adopting a symbol of
Union : but not farther. If it should be considered as a Creed or
Confession of Faith, they would think it an obstacle. If the
addition of the Ninth Article, with the addenda to the Fourth, were
intended to fill up the Basis, and to make it so far complete, there
were other things which he thought essential to the Basis. He
called on Brethren to consider, Whether they could not give and
take a little in the matter ? consenting so far to express opinion
as all agree ? to withhold opinion in matters in which they differed ?
They had so far agreed, through almost twelve months of continued
THIRD DAY— MORNING SESSION. 9U
agitation in reference to this Basis ; for again and again they had
come to it, time after time, and had been constrained to
say, with a shout of gratitude to God, that they had been
guided by the Spirit of God, to an agreement on these Eight
Articles, as they were reported by the Select Committee. The
addition, drawn up and presented by the able and discriminating
pen of Dr. Candlish, altogether acquitted them of the responsibility
as to its being a complete Creed, or line of demarcation for
Brotherhood. They were safe from everything like assumption in
reference to others : they were safe in reference to anything like con-
cession of truth among themselves. He concluded by entreating
Brethren, who had laboured in the Provisional Committee, — and
who had sought the Lord, with one mind and spirit, to direct them, —
that they would come back to what they had adopted, and go no
farther.
Rev. J. Birt feared that the adoption of the 9th Article would
tend to make divisions in families and Churches. He was not
aware of any Church, in which the belief of the Eternal Punish-
ment of the wicked was professed : there were other doctrines, the
profession and belief of which was required : but he believed there
was no Church, which made belief of this doctrine a term of
admission to communion. He thought we -were making a new
criterion of fellowship, a new term of communion, — and he feared
the consequences.
Rev. Dr. Cunningham. — As Mr. Hinton has referred to a
statement of mine, I feel I must trouble you for a moment or two.
He quoted a saying of mine at the Liverpool Conference — That it
was absurd to think of battling Romanism under the banner of, or in
combination with, Quakerism. I am not ashamed of it : but I refer
to it simply for this purpose, to press on the Alliance this conside-
ration, that the statement, hastily made, was a just indication of
what was then the state of feeling on the part of the Conference ;
and what I believe to be the general feeling on the part of the
Alliance, namely : — that one great object of uniting together was,
that, as a Protestant Confederation of Christians, we might
oppose the great adversary of the kingdom of Christ. It was just
an expression of that feeling, as far as concerns the relation of
Popery to Quakerism, in a way of contrast. I shall say nothing
about it now : but if Mr. Hinton moves anything respecting the
eighth Article, then will be the proper time to advert to it : at
present I shall say nothing but upon the proper question before us.
This is just a proposal to omit the Ninth Article. We have not a
general Motion for restoring the Basis to its original form ; that has
h 2
100 EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE.
been abandoned ; and, if it is to be brought np again, it must be
the subject of a notice of Motion. Now it is quite plain, that the
discussion of this question, the omission of the Ninth Article, may
lead to a good deal of general discussion as to the character of that
Basis : because really the test, by which we ought to be guided in
deciding the question, whether another Article shall be added or
not, must mainly depend upon the view we take of the object of
that Basis. I am persuaded, that a good deal of the difference of
opinion that has arisen upon this point, and of the confusion we
have got into in discussion, has just been, because we had not in
our own minds, or in the formal document which has been brought
under our consideration, any very distinct and explicit deliverance
as to the real position and real objects of that Basis. This matter
has been left somewhat indefinite : I think, upon the whole, rightly
and wisely. Still there is a certain degree of indefiniteness as to
the intended application of that Basis ; and, that being so, I am at
a loss to find a definite test, to which we may resort, to ascertain,
whether or not an additional Article ought to be appended ? That
has arisen from our having begun this matter, without a distinct
view of what was intended, and our views changing as the matter
advanced. I believe one leading object was, to unite Protestant
Evangelical Christians against the assaults of the Man of Sin.
Then, as we met together, and saw one another face to face, the
idea came out more fully, of having a Confederation of all who
loved the Lord Jesus Christ. Then, as we advanced further, it
came to be more palpable, that, whatever might be our object,
there must be something like a general recognition of conformity to
a certain extent, more or less distinctly brought out, in regard to
the great fundamental Doctrines of the Gospel. These views
came out, — although they have not received that distinct conside-
ration, or been subject to that explicit discussion^, which would have
made the consideration of these points more precise. Still all these
views have been more or less before our minds. They are, more or
less explicitly, embodied in the Resolutions we have adopted. If
there be any difficulties at all, it is because we have not specified
them individually, and assigned to each its due and proper
place. We found, when we met together, that we could agree, to
a large extent, in regard to great fundamental Principles of
Christian Doctrine. We found that we rejoiced in them ; we
thought it right to assert them ; and so, from the beginning, one of
the objects was, the manifestation of existing Unity : for, though
there was no precise form of Confession of that which we hold, we
have pointed, in our Articles,, to the matter of fact, with regard to the
THIRD DAY — MOENING SESSION. 101
great fundamental Doctrines of the Gospel. It was this that
suggested the idea of the Basis. There was a difficulty about a
proper Basis, a difficulty about the appearence of a Confession ;
and it was left somewhat vague and indefinite. I think wisely. I
do not attach so much importance as some Members of the Con-
ference do to this Basis ; just because I have felt, that while there
are differences amongst us, any testimony we can bear to Truth
must be, to a large extent, defective. I felt that strongly ; and I
was not so much concerned about the way in which it might be
borne. But I submit, in opposition to Mr. Hinton's view, — that
the bearing testimony to Truth, so far as we were united, was one
of the objects which, from the commencement of the Alliance, has
been contemplated ; and which, most assuredly, ought not to be lost
sight of. I venture further to say, that an Alliance, such as this,
can do something in the way of bearing testimony to great and
important Truths; and can do something towards commending
them to the hearts and understandings of Christian men, without
claiming infallibility, and without pretending to exercise anything
like authority over the understandings and consciences of men.
Now I have not felt so solicitous as some about the terms in
which the Basis was embodied. But I cannot consent to the idea,
that we cannot bear testimony to the important Truths on which we
agree ; or that we should fail to consider, as one object of the
Alliance, in what way, without claiming infallibility, usurping
authority, or trespassing on the consciences of men, we can do
something for the attainment of that end. Originally, I should
have been satisfied with the preliminary to the Articles, " that the
parties composing the Alliance shall be such persons only as
hold and maintain what are usually understood to be Evangelical
views." I should have been, to a large extent, satisfied with that :
because I do not hold, that much more is gained upon that, by the
express mention of those points to which we refer. I think there
lies the substance of it. It is upon the ground of being believers
in the Lord Jesus ; and, further, in receiving what are usually termed
Evangelical views ; it being one duty of such men, so combined,
that they should, as one of their objects, bear testimony to
those Evangelical Truths which they wish to present to the
acceptance of the World.
But, since it has been the mind of the Conference, that we
should specify some of the points we hold in common, — that being
the case, — I concur in the remark, that at present we are in this
position. We are to have this preamble ; and we are to specify some
of those great leading points, with respect to which we do hold
102 EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE.
views that are Evangelical. This, then, is the question before us :
Whether the Ninth should be specified, as one, with regard to
which we hold the Truth ? Upon that point, I have said, it is
scarcely possible to discuss, without some reference to the design
of the Basis. We are in this position : we not only profess to hold
views commonly called Evangelical; but we have come to the
conclusion, on the whole, that it is desirable that we should specify
a good many of the points on which we hold Evangelical views.
The question is, shall one of these great leading points— with
respect to which we wish it to be known over all the World that
we agree — be, the Resurrection of the Body, a future Judgement,
Eternal Rewards, and the Eternal Punishment of the Wicked ? I
feel the want of a test, whereby to judge of this. That is the
reason we have been led to this long discussion. But I have felt,
that the Ninth should remain one of those points, with respect to
which we wish to bring our testimony to bear on the World ; — and,
with regard to which, we should hold the views commonly
recognised as Evangelical. I think the strong conviction upon this
point is, the necessity of another Article. It is true, it is not
generally thought much of in this Country. But we are bound to
attach due weight to the solemn, deliberate testimony of the
American Brethren. If there is to be anything of a statement
reo-ardino- Truth, — if it is to enter into our consideration, — it is
important that it should be given out on that point. Then, with
regard to our own Country, as far as the Theological literature of
the Country is concerned, we have scarcely anything of the denial
of the doctrine of Eternal Rewards and Punishments, except from
Unitarians, and men avowedly Infidel. I do not speak of
individual instances in a Meeting like this. We must judge from
what appears fully and palpably ; and I assert, without fear of
contradiction, that, as far as concerns the Theological literature of
Great Britain, the denial of Eternal Rewards and Punishments has
been, with few exceptions, characteristic of a sect whom none of us
regard as Evangelical. Therefore the addition of this Article to
our Basis, professing the views commonly called Evangelical, is a
following out of our general assertion of Evangelical principles, by
embodying in our list an Article, in regard to which the views of
such as differ from us have been characteristic only of an Un-evan-
gelical or Anti-evangelical sect.
If it be true, that there is some indication of what has not
appeared in the literature of Britain, — some indication of such
doctrines being held by men, Evangelical on other points ; if that
be the case, it sesms to me, that, unless we are to exclude from our
THIRD DAY— MORNING SESSION. 103
consideration altogether the element of doing anything for Evan-
gelical Truth, that fact constitutes the strongest reason why we
should let the World know, that we believe in the Scriptural
doctrine of the Eternity of Future Rewards and Punishments, as a
part of that great system of Truth, to which alone we can attach
the name of Christian. If the case be as represented, — and there
is a mixture of Truth with heathen philosophy, — it is one of the
great dangers to which rising Christianity is exposed : it is a danger
against which, if we have any regard for Truth, we are called to go
forth with a warning voice ; and, therefore, to oppose the Amend-
ment which proposes to leave out the Ninth Article.
Rev. Dr. Morison. — I have not risen to tell you on this
occasion, that, if my views upon this question do not prevail, I will
not continue to adhere to the Evangelical Alliance. Whatever
may be the form in which this question shall be disposed of, still,
with the views which I take of the subject before us, I feel, that
the Alliance is mainly unimpeached in its excellency, and in the
convictions of my mind. It is a question of comparison, I hold,
between a less perfect, and a more perfect Basis of our proceedings.
If we should return to the Basis which has been originally agreed
upon in the previous sittings of the Committee, I shall feel, as an
individual, that we had such an amount of Truth in this Basis as
may sustain our proceedings, — while we go forward in the
Christian world, to endeavour, by God's blessing, to draw around
us vast numbers of the people of God. But if I had now come
into this assembly, and for the first time had looked at the Basis as
it originally stood, I think the question would have occurred to me,
— professing no very high measure of intelligence on such points
How marvellous it is, that a Basis of Truth, coming from such an
assembly as this, should not contain so much as one reference to
the destinies of Futurity ! although it be the great characteristic of
Christianity, that life and immortality are brought to light by the
Gospel ; and although it be the constant testimony, both of Christ
and his Apostles, that the wicked shall be punished with everlasting
destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of
His power? I do not, for a single instant, call in question any of
those statements made by Mr. Binney, or Mr. Hinton, relative to
the personal piety of some individuals who may be, as I think,
fearfully at variance with Scripture upon the subject of the
everlasting destinies of mankind. But this I will say, if you do
not adopt a principle similar to that which alters the Articles of
your Basis, you will not only include these godly men ; but you
will open your doors to the admission of every man, and any man,
1Q4 EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE.
who chooses to hold the doctrine of the Non-eternity of Punishments
and Rewards. And I want to know, if you do open your doors so
wide as this, how you will conduct yourselves, if thousands in
America should come forward, and propose, to subscribe every
Article of your Creed? How will you act towards them? How
will it be possible for you, under your existing Creed, I mean the
Provisional Basis, — how will it be competent for you to exclude
them from your fellowship? I know that what our friend,
Mr. Hinton, has said, looks very well. I wish to say nothing but
what will produce kindly feeling, about the Experimental Basis. I
do not think, that, clear as my friend's mind is, he would be able
to lay down an Experimental Basis which would be satisfactory to
himself. Nor do I think that he clearly keeps in view, what is
meant by the love of the Brethren. It must be love in the Truth,
and for the Truth's sake. I fear that the Alliance will commit
a felo dc se, if we do not retain the Article. For if the doctrine
of Eternal Punishment, so plainly stated in Scripture, be shut out
of the pulpits of Great Britain, farewell to the energy of
Evangelical preaching.
I could not have discharged my conscience with saying less than
this. While I have said, that I will abide by this Alliance, if the
proposition of Dr. Byrth is adopted, I hope you will not consider,
whatever element has entered into the few remarks I have made,
that there has been any sectarian element in it. I could receive
the Alliance — unite with it cordially ; — I could act with it from
my heart, if we return to the original Basis ; but I do confess,, that
it will carry more fully the thorough-going conviction of my mind,
if the Ninth Article be preserved in its integrity.
The Rev. R. W. Kyle. — I have risen to set our Brother from
Oldham right, as to one expression he made use of. I do so, because
I know it will wound the feelings of many, if it be not set right.
The expression was : that there was no Church that made the
belief of eternity of punishment a term of communion. In one
of the three Creeds of the Church to which I belong there is this
sentence : " They that have done good shall go into life everlasting;
and they that have done evil into everlasting fire." I trust the
Alliance will agree with the creed of my Church.
Rev. H. Girdlestone suggested an Amendment for the sake
of peace : but it was not seconded.
Rev. J. Angell James. — I will endeavour to compress what I have
to say within as narrow compass as possible. We have arrived at a
critical moment in the history of this Alliance, which I am happy
to say is already formed; but it depends very much on the
THIRD DAY MORNING SESSION. 105
decision to which we come on the question before us, whether it
shall continue ? and, if it continues, whether it shall nourish ? I
am relieved, however, in some measure, from solicitude, by the calm
and tranquil manner in which the discussion has proceeded, since
we have suppressed the expression of approbation or disappro-
bation. Nothing that has yet occurred has tended to disturb the
Meeting from a calm, cool, dispassionate consideration of the
question ; and I trust we shall proceed to the decision in the same
temper of mind. Though I am afraid it is too much to expect
that we shall come to an unanimous vote, I wish it may be so.
May God, of His great mercy, so illuminate our minds and sanctify
our hearts, that it may be so ! But if it does not, I trust the
minority, on whichever side of the question it may be found, will
not feel it a point of conscience to separate from the Alliance.
Indeed, I do not anticipate, to any considerable extent, such a
result. Now I will just bring into the discussion, if I may do it
without impropriety, some of the transactions which have taken
place in the Aggregate Provisional Committee, during its sittings in
London. Most of us came to the Metropolis, with an anxious hope
(I did for one) that the original Basis would not be touched. We
thought that, if any infringement were made upon it, it would lead to
an endless multiplication of particulars. The original Basis had met
the views of all the friends of the Alliance. It had, besides, carried a
kind of sanctity in our view, — considering how cordially, on that
Basis only, we had acted hitherto. With these views I listened to
the discussion which took place on the first alteration, suggested by
our friends from the North, clearly perceiving, as I thought at the
time, that it was not possible to establish them in so close a
connexion with the Alliance as we wished, without the small
alteration they proposed. I felt that it was conceding a small
point, in making the addition which was then made to the Basis.
When we came to the discussion of the addition of the Ninth
Article, an important and serious question was evidently before us ;
and those who were present at that Meeting will not easily forget
the four anxious hours we spent in considering, whether this Ninth
Article should be introduced or rejected? At the commencement
of the Meeting many of us, — I myself among them, — were stoutly
opposed to the addition of the Ninth Article. We again perceived,
that there was no possibility of conciliating the minds of a large
section of the Alliance, without that introduction ; and we acted
on the idea, that it was important, not merely to conciliate friends
without, who had not yet come in; but to conciliate and com-
pact the friends within. After four hours' discussion (I believe
106 EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE.
those who were present will bear me out in the assertion), we came,
certainly not to an unanimous decision to introduce that Article :
but, if I am correct, in the Aggregate Committee there were not
more than four or five hands held up against it. This shows the
feeling produced in the Aggregate Committee by the statements of
those friends who were anxious for the introduction of the Article :
and there appeared to be no likelihood of having a close connexion
between our Transatlantic friends and ourselves, if that were
rejected. One after another arose, and confessed that the weight
of argument adduced was in favour of the Article ; and we yielded
up our convictions to what they had stated. I think this has some
bearing upon the question, in showing what are the views of those
who have already had the subject under consideration. Not that
I mean to say, that their views are to bind the present
Assembly : I still say, I would rather, upon the whole, that the
original Basis had not been touched : but since I see, that we
hazard, not merely the keeping back of some who have not come
in, but the driving out of some who have already joined us, I feel
disposed entirely to agree to the introduction of the Article. Now,
for one moment, I would say, I have been astonished, and actually
startled, at some of the statements which have come before this
Meeting: as, from these statements, it might be inferred, that an
opinion prevails widely among our Denominations, which I do not
believe exists. I do not, as far as my knowledge of our own
Denomination extends (and of other kindred Denominations who
hold the same general principles) know, that there is any material
defection in reference to this Article of our Christian Faith. And
I should be sorry for any individuals from Foreign lands, or from
our own, to go from this Meeting, under the impression, that
heresy of this nature was gaining ground amongst us. Then, as to
the objection taken by Mr. Hinton, with respect to its giving us a
new denomination, — that of eternal tormentists ; — this has been
applied already, in scorn and ridicule, by those who do not agree
with us. I believe, therefore, there is nothing to fear upon that
point. As the object of the Basis of the Alliance is, to com-
prehend all we can within the circle of this holy brotherhood, I
believe, by the adoption of this Article you will most effectually
answer that end. You will, I believe, secure the end of the
Alliance more effectually, by the introduction of the Article than
by its exclusion. At the same time, I would so far concede to
some of the Brethren I have heard, that I would not make a belief
in that fearful truth, in all its import, a test of real Christianity.
1 would not, for a single moment say, that a man could not be a
THIRD DAY — MORNING SESSION. 107
Christian (God forbid I should entertain such a thought !) who did
not hold with me, in regard to the eternity of the punishment of
the wicked. But it is rather a different question, whether, in
drawing the circle of this Christian Alliance, the Article shall be
rejected or omitted? Now I would hope that we shall get through
the discussion of the whole Basis to day ; for, if we give loose to
our feelings, we shall never get to the end of the formation of our