this Alliance as a grand alliance for the peace of the world ; and,
in the peace of the world, the conquest of the world by the
preaching of the everlasting Gospel of Jesus Christ. I expect, Sir,
that God will so honour this Alliance, that, in some future years,
when our children's children will have taken it up, and carried it
on to its consummation, we shall come forward with a multitude
which no man can number, and with gratitude bow before the
Throne, and lay a redeemed and conquered world at the feet of
Jesus, humbly begging that He would accept our services for his
Name's sake. Thus, Sir Culling, I am indulging the hope, that
this is only the beginning of better things. We who are in
America — I speak confidently — give you the right hand of fellow-
ship in this matter ; and, God helping us, we will hold on to you
tighter and tighter as difficulties come; and I say, by the blessing
of God, that if we perish in the effort, we will die with our bands
in fellowship.

Rev. E. N. Kirk, of Boston, United States. — Mr. Chairman, we
are met together in the bond of the highest relation that kindred
minds can sustain to one another : — the bond of our union is our
common attachment to the King of glory. Jesus Christ has



26 EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE.

redeemed us by his blood, He has renewed us by his Spirit, He has
brought us out of nature to Himself; and it is by the love we bear
to Him, that we are to measure our love one to another. On
account of the infirmity of our intellects, we have been attached
to particular shades and branches of truth, which have made us
to diverge from one another. But the grace of God has been
poured upon the churches ; and the first-fruits seen are — the
prevalence of Christian love over the infirmities of human intellect.
It is impossible for us to describe the enthusiasm with which the
whole of this movement is regarded in the United States of
America. And as my Brother has just said, the fact of there being
so many persons here, who have subjected themselves to the
embarrassments of leaving home, and have crossed the great waste
of waters, is perhaps as strong and practical a demonstration of it
as could be given. It appears to me, that we should regard our
meetings in the light of a solemn pledge, given to God, to the
Church, and to one another. We cannot come and participate in
these meetings without returning to our homes pledged, and to
what? — The death of sectarianism. This is the day of
pledging ; and we are willing to pledge ourselves, that we will do
our part, when we return home, to promote the interests of this
Alliance. We have all an enemy within, and that enemy is the
enemy of the Evangelical Alliance. And we must seek to discover
how we can best obtain the victory over our own pride and selfish-
ness. There is here such a strong current, such a mighty tide of
sympathy, that it requires no individual exertion to float upon its
bosom. This can be done by remaining passive. But when we
return back to our homes, and to the duties of active life, then
the question is, will we stand true to the sacred principles of the
Evangelical Alliance ? The fact is., Sir, I am perfectly exhausted
with the mere sympathy of the last two or three days. I confess
that the meetings of the last two days have almost deprived me of
the sleep of the last two nights. It seems to me as if heaven had
begun on earth. I came out of the dinner room to-day, and I
heard the voice of singing in one apartment, and the voice of prayer
in another apartment ; and I said, where am I ? I am on the verge
of heaven — I am on the verge of the Millennium. Now, Sir, I have
yielded myself most fully to these influences. I do believe they
come down from before the throne of God and the Lamb, and are
the breathings of the Holy Spirit of our Lord. I am not afraid,
Sir, of committing myself to the sacred principles of the Evan-
gelical Alliance : but, since I have been called upon to state the
prominent feeling of my own mind, it is, a sense of responsibility



FIRST DAY EVENING SESSION. 27

as to the solemn pledge I have given, to this Alliance, and to the
world, that never will I be found on the side of Sectarianism, in
any form, or under any circumstance. I have some intellectual
difficulties. I am a minister of a Congregational church — of a
Church not allied to the State ; and, differing on this, and other
peculiarities, from many of my Brethren, I do feel, that, in taking
this solemn pledge, I become in reality a Member of the Alliance :
I throw myself on the grace of God, and, if I keep that pledge, I
shall be a monument of grace. How is the heart of each brother
prepared for the coming down of the Pentecostal Spirit ? How far
is each of us a consecrated man at the foot of the cross, looking up
to the face of Jesus, who so loves me, and so loves every man who
loves Him ? We occupy high and holy ground, and it is not in vain
that we have met together. The majority of the Brethren present,
did not, I suppose, enjoy the privilege of witnessing the discussion
which took place yesterday. I was afraid when I heard certain
sentiments thrown out, which I considered lax, and contrary to the
system of Jehovah's moral government, on which also the glory of
the cross shall stand. But my fears subsided, when I saw the
mighty tide of love which rolled over that meeting, subduing one
and then another, until at last only five Brethren were left who
remained conscientiously opposed to the Resolution. Let us, then,
in pledging ourselves to carry out the principles of this Alliance,
pray to God, that he would make us to glorify Him ; and that it
may answer the warm desires and expectations of Christians in all
quarters of the M'orld.

Rev. M. Richey, from East Canada. — After the hallowed and
elevating feelings which had been awakened by the addresses of the
estimable gentlemen who had preceded him, he rose with trembling
lest he should in any degree deteriorate or lessen those high and
holy emotions which rested on that assembly. He would only
endeavour to discharge an imperative duty, and to fulfil, in an
humble degree, a portion of that obligation which he owed to the
Alliance which had sent him there; and to put the IMeetino- in
possession of some facts, which would show how those sentiments
and feelings, which had issued in the calling of that Conference,
had vibrated in the hearts of Christians in Canada, with all their
power and effect.

No sooner was it ascertained that that cause was in progress in
the fatherland, than, under the influence of a filial and holy emu-
lation, they attempted to copy their example; they began to
meditate upon the means of arriving at conclusions which could
place them in such a position. Various preliminary meetings were



28 EVANGELICAL* ALLIANCE.

held in the city of Montreal, during the early part of last winter.
Only one element arose among them which seemed to disturb the
perfect harmony of sentiment which prevailed ; and that was the
very same element which had called forth so much discussion
yesterday morning. Being so situated, the great majority of those
who were prepared to enrol themselves as members, felt it to be
incumbent upon them, to await the result of the collected wisdom
of the Conference, which was to assemble in London, ere they should
venture to introduce anything that might be deemed of an
unnecessarily exclusive character among the Articles constituting the
Basis of their Alliance. But now he was relieved from an oppression
which was painful beyond description ; and the principles on which
it had been resolved to base the Alliance, would meet with the
convictions and the cordial acquiescence of every Evangelical mind
in the country from which he came.

But they had gone farther than even this. Having deliberately
come to the conclusion, that it was for the divine glory and the good
of their fellow creatures, that there should be a farther develop-
ment of those principles which bind together in a manifested union
the disciples of our common Lord; they had determined that, what-
ever might be the result of the movement then making — and its
bright glory had already beamed upon them — that, whatever, in the
contingency of human events, by the infirmities of human nature,
and through the counteracting agencies by which it was assailed,
might be the result in this country, they, on the platform of their
Alliance in Canada, had determined, by the help of God, to walk
according to the same rule, and mind the same things.

Perhaps they had been urged into this determination by a sort of
moral coercion. They lived amidst the domination of the Papal
Apostacy, where the ceremonials of that faith met the eye with a
gorgeousness which perhaps was not exceeded in Rome itself, and
where hundreds of priests and Jesuits were trooping the streets
from morning to night, and he might have said, from night to mor-
ning. All who really believed in the great principles of the Refor-
mation as established by law, and, what was far better, established
in the souls of Evangelical Christians, must feel that many of the
differences existing among them, as Evangelical Protestants, were
not worthy of a thought, compared with the advantages which
would be gained by presenting a united phalanx against the great
apostacy.

Among the objects contemplated by the Alliance, he had regarded
one to be — opposition to the efforts of Popery. But when he had
heard many difficulties started upon that point, his heart trembled,



FIRST DAY EVENING SESSION. 29

and lie was afraid lest the Conference would not present an uncom-
promising, but, at the same time, holy opposition to that apostacy,
which, " in the temple of God, exalteth itself above all that is
called God, or that is worshipped:" but those fears, thanks to God,
were now dissipated, and he would go back to Montreal ; and, amid
the gloom of Papal supremacy, should not shrink from declaring,
that one of the main purposes of this Alliance, in connexion with
others of a purely spiritual character, was to renew the spirit, and
give a higher development, to the principles of the Protestant
Reformation ; and seek — by public addresses, and by the diffusion of
the Holy Scriptures in the language of that people, by multiplying
the number of colporteurs, who should especially visit the French
habilans — to carry out the grand object of the Alliance to that
development. These means had already been instrumental in the
hand of God, in achieving the most blessed results. Nor was he
without hopes, that they would be, to a very great extent, success-
ful, if the matter were taken up systematically.

There was in Canada a diminution of that deference which was
formerly paid to the Roman Catholic priesthood ; and he well knew
that considerable dissatisfaction existed among many members of
that communion on the subject of religion. The testimony of many
of his own converts was, that they had long prayed and sighed to
know the good and the right way, and that they regarded him as an
angel of light from the throne of God, who introduced them into
the marvellous light of the glorious gospel of Christ. The spirit
of enquiry was abroad ; and he was persuaded that numerous con-
gregations w r ould come, in prompt attendance, and listen with
profound attention to the words of eternal life. It was true, that
the keen eye of Jesuitism was upon them, and that Jesuit mission-
aries were trooping the country in all directions, and were even
mimicking those special efforts which many zealous Ministers had
made for the extension of the Word of God, by holding protracted
meetings, in which they preached to the people for seven or fourteen
days in succession, inviting, especially the female portion of their
congregations, to take vows and oaths to maintain the cause of
Popery. Under these circumstances, was it not their incumbent
duty, to exercise their influence, by presenting the example of that
Christian Union which they were now enabled to present, and by
employing those means, which, in that position, were at their
command, for the counteraction of so tremendous an evil ?

[Mr. Richey then entered into some detail of the efforts which he
had himself made, by a series of services in one of the largest
churches of Montreal, to call the attention, not only of Protestants



30 EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE.

generally, but also of Roman Catholics, to the great truths which
constituted the basis of this proposed Alliance. The Ministers of
various denominations concurred in these efforts ; and he could
also relate some encouraging circumstances which had occurred.]
He was also happy to assure the Conference, that he believed a
response would immediately be elicited from every province of
British North America, on the report of those proceedings which
were now in progress reaching the other side of the Atlantic. And
he had it in his heart to request — nay, he would say, he preferred
the claim — that, whenever the time arrived for adding one branch
more to this majestic tree, it should be the Colonies of British North
America.

Rev. T. Binney. — Sir, I would, from your superior knowledge of
business, most respectfully submit to you a point of order. I felt it
would be discourteous to interrupt either of our friends who have
just addressed us ; but it appears to me, Mr. Chairman, that this
is the first day of the Conference, and not the second, and I do
submit that we know nothing of any discussion which took place
yesterday ; and therefore that the observations which have been on
that subject have been irregular. Those five brethren who formed
the " minority," may justly say, that if Mr. Kirk and Mr. Richey
have a right to refer to that discussion, they have a right also. I
know nothing whatever of what has been done : but the question
of the Basis will come up to morrow ; and then will be the proper
time to discuss it.

The Chairman said, Mr. Binney is right, as to the point of
order. This Conference can to-day take no cognizance of what
took place yesterday.

Rev. Dr. Tholuck. — Christian Brethren, in beginning to speak
to you, I do not forget that I come from a country where eloquence
in any place but the pulpit is something unknown ; and, therefore,
if I do not deliver a speech like those delivered by so many
eloquent speakers, I hope you will bear with me, and will believe,
that we Germans, in coming from our own country, come rather to
learn what eloquence is, than to become celebrated for our own
eloquence. Therefore I hope you will be satisfied with a brief and
simple statement of the feelings of my German Brethren, so far as
I have been able to ascertain them. When information of the
attempt to form such an Alliance reached our country, it was
hailed by almost all Christians. The English must not draw an
inference from the number of my countrymen here, as to the interest
felt in this cause in the land from which they come. You will



FIRST DAY — EVENING SESSION. 81

readily perceive, that there are several grounds on which a great
number of those have been prevented from coming, who would have
heartily desired personally to congratulate this assembly. One of
the chief of these grounds is, a deficient knowledge of the English
language ; and this alone has, I am certain, been sufficient to
detain a good number, who wished to come over to this country.
You may therefore be persuaded, that on this very day, as several
have expressed to me in their letters, many are assembled in prayer
for this Meeting ; and one Clergyman has stated, that forty of his
Brethren are uniting, on this very day, in prayer for God's blessing
on what is going on here. Now, if you ask, why the Germans have
felt almost universally such a great interest in this subject, I say,
that we have been taught by misfortune ; and that distress has
been the teacher of that sympathy which we feel with this Alliance.
We are taught by the Scriptures, that all things must work
together for good to them that love God ; and Germany, as you all
know,. has gone through long years of almost universal apostacy
from the main truths of the Gospel. And while, in England,
Christians have been like trees in a forest, — in our country, they
have been like single trees in a very large field, isolated, and
without any thing to unite them. These times are happily over:
but they have taught us to forget all the minor differences which
may exist among Christians ; and the apostacy of those who have
departed from the sound faith, has been the means of increasing
the brotherly love of all those who sympathize in the grand, truths
of the Gospel. This is one of the chief reasons why the information
of the attempt to form such an Alliance was hailed in our country,
with very great sympathy, by all real Christians. I recollect the
time, almost twenty years ago, when you could travel perhaps one
hundred German miles, without having notice of more than two or
three or four Ministers who still proclaimed the Gospel. It was then
that Protestants formed practically that Alliance among themselves,
which you are now endeavouring to establish in your country and in
the world. I recollect that at that time, not only were Protestants
of different denominations united together ; but that there were a
good number of Roman Catholic brethren united with them, who,
alarmed at the apostacy and general infidelity which prevailed in
their own church, gladly shook hands, and joined themselves with
orthodox Protestants. But at the present day, a spirit of sectarian-
ism is on the increase, which has been widening again the distinc-
tions between Christians of several denominations. We may say
that, in general, Lutherans have become more Lutheran, Roman



32 EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE.

Catholics more Roman Catholic, and the Reformed more Reformed*
tlian they were before : so that we see, in our country, something
of that deplorable state of schism and division which you complain
of in yours. This was the other reason which made us congratu-
late those Christians of Great Britain, who first broached the idea
of a general Union and Confederacy : and, if differences and schism
should break out in this Meeting (though I feel that such must not
be the case), still I would say, that it is a grand cause in which we
are assembled. In looking back through the ecclesiastical history
of past centuries, do we find anywhere a cause like that which we
vindicate and patronize ? To my mind there occurs not an instance,
where such a number of various orthodox denominations have
determined on unity in the grand truths of Christianity. It was
this reason chiefly which made me espouse the cause of this
Alliance. Though I could not foresee what practical consequences
might follow from it, I was determined, together with several of
my countrymen, to come here to see, not what man would do, but
what the Lord intended to do. I was sure the cause was a good
one, even if we had not been assembled for any other purpose, but
that of making a public declaration of the unity of heart which
exists. And, considering that the cause in itself was a good one, I
had also the persuasion, that the blessing of God would not be
withheld, and that consequences might arise from it which we
could not foresee ; and therefore I came here in faith and not by
sight, — in faith expecting what the Lord might do. And he who
has heard the multitude of praises which have been offered to Him,
and he who has listened to day to the sacred songs which in one
room have been offered by the German Brethren, in another room
by the French Brethren, and in a third room by the English
Brethren, all to the same Lord and Saviour, in sympathy of hearts,
— can he believe, that there will not be a gracious presence of
Him who has united them thus ? I am sure that, even if no or-
ganization whatever, for practical purposes, were taken into contem-
plation, the theory itself would be shown in practice. Have not all
those who have united with the Brethren in prayer felt, that such
unanimous prayers are in themselves the very greatest stimulus to
energy and practice ? V\ T e have prayed together for the advent of
the kingdom of the Saviour : we have joined hearts and communi-

* The Reformed Churches on the Continent are distinguished from the Lutheran.
The Lutheran Churches are those which adopted the Confession of Augsburgh,
and Luther's view of the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. The Reformed Churches
are those which adopted generally the views of Calvin and the Swiss Reformers, and
have their distinct Confessions and Catechisms in accordance therewith. The term
Protestant would include both. Editor.



FIRST DAY EVENING SESSION. 33

cated to each other what is heart-cheering in our Country, and
what is deplorable ; and is it possible that the general sympathy
which has been excited by these themes can subsist without
resulting in something practical ? I surely cannot think that this
is possible. And, even if we do part again, without any practical
measures having been adopted, I suppose the Meeting would still
be a practical measure in itself. I feel the persuasion, so far as
regards myself, that I cannot go back to my own Country without
having a deeper sympathy with the concerns of the various Christian
denominations which have assembled here. Again, it has been
said, " Why, if you only meet once in seven years, what benefit can
result from your meetings ? " It is indeed to be lamented that such
meetings as this could not oftener be repeated ; but will not, I ask,
these services unite our hearts by closer ties than they have hitherto
felt ? And, therefore, by the practical measures which will
follow, by the communications which we shall make to each other,
and by respectively sympathizing in those things in which we
mutually participate, the bond of this day will remain, even when
the days during which we shall assemble shall be over.

I shall, therefore, leave these meetings, after all that I have seen
and experienced, with the sweet recollection that a cause has been
accomplished which is new in the history of the Church, — and which
pleasing the Lord (as I am certain it does), will have His blessing
in future. I am sure all my German Brethren will share in the
same feelings.

Rev. Adolphe Monod, of Montauban. This is not the first
time, Mr. Chairman, that it has been my privilege to meet my dear
Brother Dr. Tholuck, in an assembly somewhat of this kind.
Twenty-one years ago, we met at a meeting presided over by
Joseph Butterworth, a man who would have delighted in such a
day as this. I heartily concur in all the statements of my friend,
whom we have now heard, who has 'spoken his whole heart on the
subject, and with feelings of great joy and exultation.

£ After drawing an affecting contrast between the circumstances of
exultation and encouragement under which British Christians were
placed, and those of difficulty with which Protestants in Romish
countries had to contend, — and earnestly requesting the prayers of
all the Brethren present, M. Monod proceeded.]

I was just going to say a few words, respecting those things
which have been done, or rather tried, in France, towards accom-
plishing this Christian Union. They are so little, that I hardly dare
speak about them in such an assembly. Still, I think I am bound to

D



34 EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE.

do so, though in few words. They originated in a visit paid to us by
the Rev. Dr. Alexander and Dr. King ; and from that moment, and
especially in the little church formed in the city of Lyons, under
the name of the Evangelical Church, the spirit which so mightily
pervades this assembly began to stir. The pastor of that church.
M. Fisch, three years ago, sent to a certain number of ministers
and other Christian gentlemen in France, a paper, in which he
endeavoured to excite them to the promotion of Christian Union, and
he laid down the principles which were to direct such operations,
and the means to be employed. That paper I hold in my hands ;
and I shall just read one sentence or two, as it is interesting to see,
that, while the same object was sought in different countries, and
almost without mental communication, the same spirit presided, at
the same time ; though there is some difference as to the means
employed. The meetings proposed by M. Fisch to be held, were
something like the present ; though they were to be, not delibera-
tive, but consisting entirely of brotherly intercourse and communion.
A correspondence was to be kept up, between ministers and other