adopted, but which is likely shortly to be superseded by that now
before the House, — allow me to say one word in regard to what has
occurred in our progress to the present time. When the Report
was introduced, I reminded the Chairman, that it was not unani-
mous, but agreed on nemine contradicentc. What I wish to say is,
that I was one of those who did not concur with the general
unanimity in that Committee: at the moment of its being brought
in, I did feel apprehensive, that we should of necessity be involved
in a responsibility which I could not take. Our friends of the
Committee are aware, how strongly I expressed myself. I wish to
be understood ; I would have it to go forth, with all the decision
that becomes me as maintaining Anti-slavery views, that, in the
discussions of the Committee this day, I have felt it my duty to
express with firmness the strong apprehension which I did enter-
tain, that our entire co-operation in the proceedings now proposed
would have a tendency to damage that principle, or my position in
connexion with this Union. I rise to say now, with the greatest
pleasure, that I have listened with profound attention to every word
that has been said this morning on the subject; and, looking at the
various statements, pro and co?i, which have been made, — though I
came into the room with the apprehension, that I should feel my-
self called upon, as a man of honesty, sincerity, and consistency, in
the exercise of a painful duty, requiring great moral courage, if not
to lift up my hand, to lift up my voice, on the ground of the Anti-
slavery principles I hold, because of the responsibility in which I
feel myself involved, — having previously come to this conclusion, I



454 EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE.

rise with great satisfaction to say, that, weighing everything that
was said before I left the room, (which I was compelled to do
under circumstances of domestic affliction,) there is now, as far as
I am concerned, no nemine contradicente. I trust that this Resolu-
tion will be passed unanimously by this Assembly, and that we shall
go forth from this moment a united Alliance, — united together, in
England, in America, on the Continent, and throughout the World,
in carrying out our grand principles, — especially the grand reality of
Christian Union. This will astonish and confound our enemies,
and advance the glorious triumphs of the Cross of Christ in this
our apostate World !

Rev. Dr. S. H. Cox. — I rise with great reluctance, and only
because it seems to be my duty ; otherwise, I would not have
retarded your triumph one moment, in coming unanimously to the
vote. I entered the Hall determined to give the present proposal
my vote, and cordial support and adhesion. I ought to say, in
honesty, I do it on the principle of concession alone. I ought to say,
that I have voted for a great many things, that have preceded this,
on the very same principle. We Americans came here, I really
believe, with great simplicity of motive ; and, with all our in-
firmities — and our friends and ancestors took their infirmities from
Europe — we came with the greatest veneration for those spirits,
of different Denominations, who have carried on and matured, as
far as they could, the preliminaries of this great enterprise. For
myself I can say, we have had no disposition to innovate, but only
to conform and confirm ; and I say this in reference to a remark of
Mr. Hinton's, in which he was not quite so gracious as the grace of
God should have made him to be.

A Member. — Let bygones be bygones.

Dr. S. H. Cox. — Old things have passed away, all things have
become new. I will not advert to it. I only say, I believe, we
have no disposition to innovate ; and if we have had any agency
in making the Ninth Article, we seem to have been led to it without
the least premeditation. But, in reference to the Alliance, let me
make one or two remarks. Christian Union we have all desired,
and upon Christian principle. I believe, God put the desire there.
We have but one Saviour, one heaven, one Gospel, one hope, one
destiny as Christians : — but what has prevented Christian Union
hitherto ? I will tell you. Instead of magnifying the things in
which we agree, and waiving the things in which we differ, some
one has always brought the things of difference in. That has been
the reason. I would not be severe to the errors of our common
infirmity. I consider it of the essence of partial views, that there



TWELFTH ]).VY MORN I M . SESSION. 455

should be differences of opinion. A man must be oecumenical in
soul, or he is not fit to come to an Alliance of this sort. He does
not understand it. I solemnly believe, that, if the Americans had
been untrammelled, they would have been more efficacious, and
they would have been more anxious for your approbation — though
that is not the highest motive. We do not want your approbation ;
but we do not despise it. I believe there is great virtue in it, and I
have no objection to it. I have been thinking of charioteers like
Jehu, without his mission, driving furiously — and without going
against the house of Ahab altogether ; and when our Brethren
would introduce the Slavery Question, I felt that it was a Rider on
the Bill. When our Episcopalian Brethren were over here in 1793
— and I hope my Brethren of the Establishment will not think I
would wound their feelings — I sincerely love them — when they
came to ask for an Act for the consecration of two Bishops, it was
granted them : but Lord North put a Rider on that Bill, that
almost broke it down, and provoked young Brother Jonathan to cry
out against it. " Nevertheless, provided always, that no Clergyman,
who shall be ordained in the American Episcopal Church, is, in
consequence of the Parliamentary grant, to be considered competent
to officiate in any one of the churches of His Majesty's Dominions."
Allow me to carry it out. When I was here in 1833, — on the
Wednesday I dined with Lord Teignmouth, and on the next
Saturday with Lord Bexley. I sat next to Dr. Otter, afterwards
Bishop of Chichester, and now gone to his account. He made
some severe remarks. I asked him, if he had ever seen clergymen
from America — for instance, Bishop M'llvaine, and Dr. Milner ?
He replied, he had. I asked, " Have you heard them?" "Oh
no ! and I do not know any body that ever did." " Do you not know,
that their function ceases in the British Islands ?" This took the
attention of some gentlemen ; and Lord Bexley told me, he did
not know the fact. I said, u I know it was inserted as an ex-
ception ;" and, as in America we do not like bonds, I advised them
to have it rescinded — and now it is rescinded. But the politicians
of America have said, in reference to that Act, " You never can get
a good Act from England, without a Rider ;" and they would have
said the same thing, if we had gone with the Resolution of Saturday.
I think, this is an improvement upon it. I think, this document
intimates a proper degree of confidence in us as Christians, and
confidence in us as sincere Anti- Slavery men. There is not a man
here that loves Slavery. A great many prayers go up in America ;
but they are not for Slavery — they are for its demolition and
destruction. I say, without giving a formal pledge, it is; my con-



l^ r> EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE.

viction, that gentlemen need not be scared out of their senses by the
idea of connexion with criminal slaveholders. I believe you will
see that what I have said was true. I believe, the influence of this
Alliance will be most blessed on the Evangelical interests of
America, and the enfranchisement of the slaves. I believe the slave
is a man ; I take him as my brother. I know he has a soul, and
Christ can redeem it : and I grieve that Slavery should deal with
him as it does. But allow me to go further, for a reason you will
see. I will soon come to the point. There is a spirit of Aboli-
tionism — for we distinguish between Anti- Slavery and Abolitionism
— the words are now technical — there is a spirit of Abolitionism,
which, I believe, is revolutionary and agrarian, down-levelling, and
destructive, and infidel. Of all my American colleagues, my
Brother Himes is the only one of the party who is here ; but he does
not go for infidelity. He has risen in my esteem by my approxima-
tion to him ; but — when he said what we were going to do, and not
going to do — " me judice," I replied, " me judice " we will do
right, and he will be there to help us. But, with respect to the
other mode of procedure, I will tell you, that we will not go with
it at all. There are a thousand reasons against it, and this is one ;
— some of our best civilians and lawyers believe, they are obnoxious
to the gallows. They would dissolve the Union, and they wish to
dissolve it. I believe, the moment that notion is carried out, the
slave will be crushed. We all think, that, for the sake of the
slave, and universal freedom, the unity of the United States —
upwards of 30 — 40, before long — must be preserved intact. These
parties have come to this City, and are not only slandering us — a
part of their vocation — but endeavouring to get British Christians
-into the scrape of dissolving the Union. Shall we act with them ?
The Lord save us from their tender mercies ! — the Lord save us
from their fellowship ! Because we have no connexion with them,
do you think we have no connexion with freedom ? I believe we
have ; and all the more, because the difference is so complete. I
now conclude, with one remark in reference to our Brother from
Belfast ; and I will be as gentle with him as I can.

Rev. I. Nelson. — I was not permitted to speak ; I must appear
decided now. I was anxious to promote the unanimity of the
Meeting, as much as I could ; but I take leave to say, that Dr.
Cox used the word " insolence " quite out of place, and I call
upon him to withdraw it.

Dr. S. H. Cox. — I withdraw it. I wish to say what I can to
heal a wound I gave — although I had great provocation. Not only
myself, but all the Americans, felt injured by what we endured in



TWELFTH DAY — MOBNING SESSION. 4o7

Mr. N.'s speech. I am sorry I used tlie word complained of, because
I do not know that he intended it : but I felt that my Country was
bleeding'at his feet, and greatly injured. I felt, he implied, that we
were not fit to be trusted out of sight — that our protestations were
not deserving of belief. We cannot be treated so : we are not so
treated in America; and we do not so treat our Brethren. If he
did not mean that, it was the necessary implication : but I forbear
to go into particulars. I held down my spirit ; I caught old
Adam, and kept him in : but I determined, I would not remain in
the Alliance, if our Brother talked about us in the same way again.
Instead, however, of walking out, I interrupted him. It is possible,
I may have been a little too sensitive. I am willing to forbear. I
read it in the Bible, and I have thought of it. I have no ill will
to my Brother: but I hope he will never make such a speech
against America again.

Rev. I. Nelson explained, and signified his acceptance of the
apology offered by Dr. Cox.

Rev. J. H. Hinton. — With a view to help the matter on to a
conclusion, I beg to put the Motion before the Chair in these
words : —

" That the Report be adopted, the Resolution recommended being subject to
revision in its details at the next Session."

The vote now to be taken should be equivalent to establishing the
principle, leaving the details to the next Session.

Hereupon, the Rev. I. Nelson rose, and again avowed his per-
plexity as to the effect of the Resolution, and the precise character
which it would impress upon the Alliance. This perplexity Sir C.
E. Smith laboured to relieve, but without success. On Mr. N.'s
attempting to prolong the conversation, he was reminded, that,
having withdrawn his Amendment, he could not repeat his obser-
vations.

Mr. Nelson. — I must, then, enter a protest.

Sir Culling Eardley Smith. — Let me say, that I would
sooner that we spent a few moments of time, and satisfied our
friend. He asked me a question. I think, our friend means what
is right, and what we mean. I think, he means, that, if his
conscience is not committed to approbation of what is done wrong
on the other side of the Atlantic, he has no objection to our pro-
ceedings. My conviction is, that his conscience is not so committed ;
because the terms on which this Report stands are such, as utterly
to prevent the possibility of his being so committed. I repeat
again what I have said. He asked the question, whether we were



458 EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE.

an (Ecumenical Alliance before the Basis was passed? No; up
to the time of its being passed, we were not : we were a Conference.
Upon its being passed, we became an Alliance quoad hoc. I say,
we went further, and became an Alliance quoad hoc ; and since
that, we have been an Alliance quoad the Doctrines set up. Thus
far we have proceeded together, to the terror of the Devil, and the
Pope ; and it cannot be undone : as to anything further, we do
not wish to be considered an Alliance. We put the Alliance on that
ground, and no other.

Rev. I. Nelson explained, and again pressed his difficulty —
which Rev. Dr. Carlile, of London, endeavoured ineffectually to
remove.

Rev. Dr. Bunting. — Had our friend and Brother, Mr. Nelson,
been amongst us during the last nine months — had he been in
more intimate connexion with the Irish Branch, to which he would
have belonged — I earnestly hope, and willingly believe, that we
should not have heard some things which we have head. I beg to
tender to him my brotherly advice, — if there should be another
Conference, not to wait for intercourse with the Members who will
compose it till within three days of their assembling ; but to go
betimes among them, and pray with them, and attend the meetings
for devotional exercises, which will be held in the district in
which he lives, and to listen to their conversation, and catch their
spirit : and then, I am persuaded, if we shall have the pleasure
of seeing him in another Conference, it will be with still more satis-
faction.

On the Resolution being put from the Chair,

Rev. Dr. Steane said, — I have notice of an Amendment from
the Rev. J. Baldwin Brown : —

" That the Report be referred back to the Committee for re-consideration."

Rev. J. B. Brown. — I gave notice of that, under the impres-
sion, that the Evangelical Alliance had partially received its death
blow — that the beautiful idea for which we came together was
lost. It does seem to me, that the principle of the Evangelical
Alliance is violated by the Committee, in that the various Sections
are not to be responsible for each other's deeds. I have no con-
fidence in an Alliance, that is not responsible for the acts of its
Branches. I think, we have not sufficiently considered the question,
whether it is not better that five men should meet together from
different Countries, and form the Evangelical Alliance — whether
there could not be a permanent embodiment of the Evangelical
Alliance, which would be better for the World — than that we



TWELFTH DAT — MORNING SESSION. 459

should all meet, and then separate to act alone, and not to be
responsible for each other's acts. It was under this deep feeling,
that I gave notice of the Amendment. I do not wish to disturb
the harmony of the Conference ; and, if this is not the general
feeling, I will not press the Amendment. I perceive, indeed, that
the feeling is against me ; and I withdraw it.

Rev. J. D. K. Williams. — I am too young to make a speech,
but I am not too young to ask a question ; and that question is
necessary to be answered, I think, before I can vote fortius Motion.
I intended to have put it before ; but I thought, from the speeches
that have been made in reference to this subject, that it was
answered already. Since, however, Mr, Brown has put such an
Amendment before the House, I think, that we ought to be better
satisfied on this point; — whether all the Members of the Alliance
assembled here, when they go to work in their distinct Branches
in other parts of the World, are pledged to every thing already
done? If they are so pledged, we are an Evangelical Alliance.
I speak for hundreds, who feel that there is a charm in this idea.
We may be essentially an Evangelical Alliance — the thing we all
wish — and yet we may be severally independent. I believe, every
Member of this Convention is responsible to the whole Body for
keeping to the principles air each/ established.

Sir Culling Eardley Smith. — That question can be unre-
servedly answered in the affirmative.

Rev. Norman MxIcleod. — There is another point, I should like
explained ; namely, whether, although this Committee has given
in a deliverance on the question, yet — if, after correspondence, it
should be found desirable for the Conference to meet before the
first of September in next year — the Report prevents it ?

Rev. Dr. Massie. — It does not prevent it.

The Resolution was then put, and carried.

Rev. J. H. Hinton.-— I move. —

" That the following Committee be appointed, to bring up at the next Session
such points of business, as may be found to arise out of the Resolution now
adopted : —

Sir Culling Eardley Smith, Rev. Dr. Massie,

Rev. J. H. Hinton, Rev. A. S. Thelwall,

Rev. Dr. Steane, Rev. Dr. Peck,

Rev. Dr. Bunting, Rev. Dr. Skinner."

The Resolution was carried.

Rev. John Scott engaged in prayer, and pronounced the Bene-
diction.

The Conference adjourned till Half-past Five r. M,



460



EVENING SESSION.

Thomas Farmer, Esq., moved, and Rev. W. Bevan seconded,

" That the Rev. Dr. Olin preside over the Devotional Exercises."

The Brethren sung 72nd Hymn of Dr. Watts's 1st Book. The
Chairman read Philippians ii. Rev. Dr. Dempster engaged in
prayer. The 28th Hymn, n Wesley's Hymns," was then sung, and
Rev. Dr. Hoby prayed.

Sir Culling Eardley Smith then took the Chair.

Read and confirmed the Minutes of the previous Sitting.

Rev. Dr. Steane presented the Report of the Committee, with
some verbal emendations.

Rev. Dr. S. H. Cox. — Mr. Noel is about to leave the Meeting
finally : our American friends wish to bid him farewell. They
will, probably, not see him again till we meet in heaven. I am
sure, we ail glorify God in him.

Hon. and Rev. B. W. Noel. — I am sorry to occupy your atten-
tion for a moment; but I must beg to acknowledge these senti-
ments of kindness, and to say, that I shall always be happy to
receive the good will of the American Brethren.

Rev. Dr. Carlile then moved, —

" That the Report on the subject of General Organization, as amended by the
Committee, be received, and the Clauses considered seriatim.' 1 ''

Thomas Farmer, Esq., seconded the Motion ; which was put,
and carried.

After a brief conversation, — which resulted in an understanding,
that the Document now presented was verbally different from that
which had been adopted in the Morning, — Rev. Dr. Steane read
the First Clause : —

" That, whereas Brethren from the Continents of Europe and America, as well as
in this Country, are unable, without consultation with their countrymen, to
settle all the arrangements for their respective Countries, it is expedient to
defer the final and complete arrangement of the details of the Alliance, of
which the foundation has now been laid, till another General Conference."*.

* In this version of the Report, (which is taken carefully from the published
" Minutes,") the Editor has been compelled, by circumstances, to commit a
material anachronism, — by anticipating and embodying in it the various emenda-
tions which were suggested, and, by consent of the Movers and Seconders,
adopted, in the course of the ensuing discussion. The final and correct form of
the Organization will be found among the proceedings of the Nineteenth Session.



TWELFTH DAY EVENING SESSION. 4G1

Rev. Dr. Schmucker. — I will move this Clause, and, in doing
so, make a few observations. I feel disposed to adopt the present
revision of the Organization, not because it appears to be that which,
in itself considered, is most desirable, but because all the various
attempts which we have made to form an organization of a more
substantive character, of a more definite and tangible nature, have
failed. We have failed to do so, with anything like the full ap-
probation of all concerned. And, certainly, the general principle
upon which our Christian Union must be formed is, that we shall
embrace in it only those things in which we are agreed. If we
could have agreed to a more definite organization, it would have
been preferable : but, as that is impracticable, I am willing to co-
operate in the adoption of this organization, which will give us
something like an (Ecumenical Council, or Alliance, — at the same
time, leaving to a future period such additions as may appear neces-
sary. The Committee have made some additions to the propositions
brought up this morning : but they will come under review succes-
sively ; and, therefore, I shall say nothing about them at present.
The only remark which it appears to me desirable to make is, that
I move this Resolution, in order that I may enjoy the honour of
having my name associated with some part of this great work. This
ought to come up in two clauses, however, instead of one ; and at
some future period I may move the old organization, as given in the
printed copy ; because the present scarcely gives existence enough
to the Alliance. It refers to the Alliance to be formed in future,
and to the Basis to be adopted ; and yet it speaks of an Alliance
in existence. There is a slight verbal contradiction, therefore : but,
in order to make progress, I move its adoption ; leaving it to subse-
quent reflection, whether I shall not afterwards propose the addition
of the first Article.

Rev. Dr. Bunting. — I am inclined to think, with Dr. Schmucker,
that the first Article in the printed paper had better be retained,
stating, of whom the Members of the Alliance shall consist : for I
consider that the Alliance is formed — that there is the actual subsist-
ence, for every purpose of reference and consultation, of an Evangeli-
cal Alliance. That all its arrangements are not complete, I admit :
nevertheless, substantial'progress has been made ; and I hope, it may
be found meet to take the first Article of the printed paper as the first
Article of this new Series. Then we come, in due order, to the
Article now read, as the first of the principles that were discussed
at length this morning. I heartily concur in it. I hope that such
has been the earnestness and sincerity of the prayers offered up for
many months, but especially during the last few weeks, for the



462 EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE.

guidance of God upon these our deliberations, that even our occa-
sional errors, and blunders, and difficulties, have been, and will be,
overruled for ultimate good. I strongly incline to think, that it has
been the case in reference to this particular part of the business.
I think, with Dr. Wardlaw, we were not prepared, without more
correspondence, more intercourse with each other, for that which
some of us had contemplated: but, perhaps, that very strengthening
of principle, and of Christian Brotherhood, which we have acquired,
will furnish materials for final determination upon the points now
under consideration. We shall also have the opportunity of talking
over the matter, and praying over the matter, and getting other
opinions on the subject. It seems to me, we have been led to
the right point. We agree, that there ought to be manifested Chris-
tian Unity ; we have begun to manifest it ; and we are deter-
mined still to do so, in every way in which it shall be found
practicable. We have got rid of the difficulties of such manifesta-
tion on Doctrinal points ; and we have agreed to Objects, which,
when we are organized, we shall pursue. The next point is, as to
the constitution of the different Branches ; but that is too import-
ant to be determined for all the World by the few — yet, happily,
the many — assembled here. I do heartily approve of this change,
and think that God has led us to it.

Rev. J. H. Hinton. — The remarks made are excellent ; but I do
hope, the example will not be followed of making speeches. The
practical suggestion made by Dr. Schmucker, and supported by
Dr. Bunting, will not do. Dr. Schmucker merely threw it out,