would move the first Resolution on the subject of Christian
Union.
Rev. Dr. Wardlaw moved, —
" I. That this Conference, composed of professing Christians of many different
Denominations, all exercising the right of private judgement, and, through
common infirmity, differing among themselves, in the views they severally
entertain on some points, both of Christian doctrine and ecclesiastical Polity,
and gathered together from many and remote parts of the World, for the
purpose of promoting Christian Union, rejoice in making their unanimous
avowal of the glorious truth, that the Church of the Living God, while it
admits of growth, is One Church, never having lost, and being incapable
of losing, its essential unity. Not, therefore, to create that unity, but to
confess it, is the design of their assembling together. One in reality, they
desire also, as far as they may be able to attain it, to be visibly one ; and
thus, both to realize in themselves, and to exhibit to others, that a living and
everlasting union binds all true believers together in the fellowship of the
Church of Christ, ' which is His body, the fulness of Him that filleth all
in all. 1 "
The Rev. Doctor said. — In connexion with the great movement for
Christian Union, there are two very pleasing facts, of which they
had visible assurance by looking around upon that Meeting, — the
fact of Variety, and the fact of Unity. The fact of Variety
existed in two forms, — variety of sentiment, and variety of locality.
They were of different Christian Denominations — would to God
the term had never been originated ! He presumed that there were
then present the representatives of not less, perhaps more, than twenty
different Evangelical Christian Denominations. He might also say,
that, since denominational Christianity began, there had never been
such a manifestation, at once of its Variety and of its Unity, as
they saw before them at that moment. Their Variety of senti-
ment was, therefore, a great fact; as was also their variety of
locality, for they had assembled from various and distant parts of
the world; and yet the fact of their Unity was equally evident.
They felt that they were One ; and, in this particular instance,
they had individual proof that distance of place does not imply
SECOND DAY MORNING SESSION. 45
any severance of heart. They had felt as one before they
came together : he had felt united to every one of his Brethren in
America, and on the Continent, before he had seen them ; but now
they felt themselves more strongly united in a common bond.
They felt that the various points in which they differed, were like
so many forces keeping them apart ; but, at the same time, they
felt that the great and essential Truths, — which they all believed
and which were the objects of their common faith, — were like so
many forces drawing them closer to each other, and holding them
together in love. And he presumed they had, in this very circum-
stance, a stronger manifestation of the power of that Truth, than
if the contrary forces were not in existence. They ought all,
therefore, while the fact of Variety was before them, to rejoice in
the fact of Unity. When a sinner came, under the influence of
the Spirit of the Living God, to feel his need of a Saviour, and to
see in Jesus Christ a Saviour suited to that need, and to accept the
offered mercy of God, he became a member of Christ's Body; and,
becoming one with Christ, he became, at the same instant, one
with all who were of Christ, throughout the whole earth. And
when a sinner thus became united to Christ, and to the whole body
of the faithful, he became united with Him for ever. For this
Union not only embraced all who believed in Jesus on the
face of the earth, but (delightful thought ! ) there was a Union
between earth and heaven. Some there were who would have de-
•lighted to have been with them on the present occasion, — to have
assisted and encouraged them in the great work, had they not been
removed to the enjoyment of a purer and a holier bliss ; but there
was a union between earth and heaven. The Apostle speaks of
the Father of the Lord Jesus, as the Father " of the whole family
in heaven and in earth." How delightful was the contemplation of
this, that they, on earth, were one with " the spirits of just men
made perfect," who had gone before them to glory ! In his own
Person the Saviour presented that union which existed between
His Divine and Human Nature ; and the great object which He
came from heaven to earth to effect was, the reconciliation of the
Divine and human nature — the reconciliation of the sinner to God.
Thus He was the centre of all union between His disciples. All
hearts were drawn to Him. The more they looked to the Lamb
that was slain, the more they felt themselves one with Him. And
the effect of this Union was, to make the Assembly above, one
with the " General Assembly of the Church of the first-born, — who
are written in heaven," though not yet there. " The spirits of
just men made perfect'' were distinguished by the Apostle from this
46 EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE.
" General Assembly of the Church of the first-born, who are written
in heaven ;" but they would all finally join together in the house of
many mansions, which had been consecrated for the reception of the
whole Redeemed Family, who were united in Christ, and united in
the perfection of purity, and in the perfection of love. And that
Conference was assembled, "not/' in the words of the Resolution,
" to create that Union, but to confess it ;" for, as the same Resolu-
tion also observed, " the Church of the Living God, while it admits of
growth, is one Church, never having lost, and never being capable
of losing, its essential Unity." They were there assembled for the
purpose of effecting a visible Union among Christians on earth.
And he trusted, that that Union would not only be exhibited in
those delightful meetings, but exhibited more and more in the re-
sults of that Alliance which he hoped they were met to form.
Rev. Dr. Olin. — Sir, I feel very deeply the difficulty which
was expressed, with so much less reason, by the venerable father
who preceded me ; and, if he had reason to feel distrust and
embarrassment in being called suddenly to address such an assembly
as this — how much more should I, when with so few qualifications,
and without a moment's preparation, I am called to appear before
an assembly, from whom I have no right to expect that predilection
which both it and the Christian world must feel for that venerable
man. I feel, indeed, that the expressions of your kindness with
which you have greeted me, are not meant for me personally, but
for others who are far away — the Christian Churches who will hear
of what you are doing here. This exuberance of British Christian
feeling has shown itself very forward, to bring us from the other
side of the water, into a prominence which we did not expect or
desire ; and to which we feel we have no just pretensions. It
shows us how deep the sympathy of the British mind — the Christian
mind of England — is, with all that appertains to the Religion and
welfare of their Brethren — shall I say their Children? — on the
other side of the Atlantic. I know that, had it not been for that
feeling, I should not have been called to stand before you this
morning ; and I a little wonder that some of my gifted Brethren
from the United States, who are known to you so well, should
not have occupied my place ; unless perhaps itSwas thought, that
you would manifest a greater degree of fraternal regard to America,
by calling out one of the more obscure and less -gifted, to express
those sentiments which swell and glow in all our bosoms. For
myself I can say, that I never felt anything more strongly, than that
our Denominational names and peculiarities are the hay and
stubble; whilst God has another way of marking His dear
SECOND DAY MORNING SESSION. 47
children, and bringing them out as a visible Church — visible in our
day, and hereafter to be so — though not so formerly. The sympathy
of sentiment which I have felt since I came here, is so great, that
I should consider, that that man had parted with his understanding
and lost all his powers of observation, who could go away from these
Meetings, and hold that the Church of Christ is not one, composed
of all those who in sincerity love our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ. From the observation and experience I have had, of the
progress and influence of this question in the United States, I can
say, that the various Denominations of Christians (and there are
more there than any where else), have had a demonstration they
never had before, but which I trust will go on strengthening : — that
the Church of Christ is one, in all its essential characteristics. I
rejoice to say — and my heart burned within me last night, when my
Brethren from America were testifying of the success of this good
cause there — that the proposition for holding this Conference was
received in America with a most unexpected, cordial, and all but
universal welcome. For several years I had considered myself a
little in advance of some of my Brethren in the matter of Christian
charity ; and had hoped that something could, at no distant time, be
done, to promote the more entire unity of the Church ; but I con-
fess I had no hope of such results as have been since developed.
Eight or ten years ago I offered up my sectarian bigotry — if any
were left in my heart — upon the altar of my Saviour. I had been
set apart for the work of the Ministry, and had been sent into
Foreign lands, where I had to lament over the mournful condition of
the Churches of the East — Armenian, Greek, and what not ; — and
when I saw how fallen and dead they were, and how incapable of
reflecting one gleam of light, for the illumination of those around
them, and for the glory of Christ ; and when I looked back upon
the Churches of my own native land, and thought of the different
banners under which they might go forward, it seemed to me a
burning shame, that there should be anything like division among
those who were redeemed by the same Saviour and sanctified by the
same blessed Spirit. I remember well the hour when, walking
solitarily upon the banks of the Nile, I lifted up my voice when
none but God heard me, and offered up my sectarian bigotry ; and
vowed that I would never know a difference between Christians
because they were not of the same opinion. It was, Sir, perhaps
from this incident, that I thought I had arrived at a position a little
in advance of that occupied by wiser and better Brethren in my
own Country. But, when the announcement was made, that there
was soon to be an attempt to develop this Christian Union in a
48 EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE.
visible form, I felt a throb of delight I never before experienced, at
the thought, that the attempt was to be made, even if it failed.
But when I met my Brethren of different denominations — men
whom I had regarded as a little too strait in their opinions — and
when I found that their faces were glad when this new enterprise
was mentioned, I made the discovery, that there was in the American
Churches, hidden, and only visible to the eye of God, a great deal
of catholicity, which only wanted the word to be spoken to leap
forth into manifestation. The history of Christianity in the United
States has been peculiar. Our churches, our sects, many of them
are comparatively young, and struggling into existence in the midst
of opposing influences. The denomination to which I belong is one
of the youngest, though now one of the largest ; and I know that,
in the course of its progress, it has met with an enormous degree of
opposition and reproach, and has endured a great deal of unkindness.
So it was, that the battles which were fought twenty or thirty years
ago left the Churches, and above all left the Ministers, in armour,
like knights of old, standing with their weapons by them, looking
out defiance upon those around, and bidding men to keep at a
proper distance if they hoped to maintain their peace. Knowing
this, I was afraid that many of these Fathers would look unfavourably
upon this movement ; and, if they did not oppose, would not help
us. But the progress of the cause has shown that I was greatly
mistaken. The grace of God found its way through the joints of
the armour ; and we beheld men prepared to be workmen in this
cause, whom we had looked upon as opponents. A wonderful
work of preparation had been going on in the hearts of the people ;
so that, when the announcement was made, that such an enterprise
was on foot in the Fatherland — (and I feel more inclined now to
claim the affinity than ever I did before) — they were prepared to
co-operate in the work ; and the moment the banner was lifted up
with " Charity " written upon it, as it floated to and fro in the
light of heaven, good men came up and arranged themselves under
it in multitudes. So rapidly was this done, that it appeared as
though an army, fully equipped for battle, had sprung forth at once
from ambush in a forest. I am not prone to use figures ; but
another occurs to me at this moment. No sooner had the Church
lifted up this banner of Union, than it became as it were, a point of
attraction, drawing towards it clouds, sailing about in every part of
the heavens, which poured forth an abundance of rain. God was in this
enterprise. May I speak a single word in reference to what I may be
supposed to know of the state of feeling in my own denomination ?
Of the different Conferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
SECOND PAY — MOBNING SESSION. 49
to which I belong, I believe all but one have, by an almost
unanimous vote, concurred in the objects of this Alliance ; and
many of them have sent out preachers and laymen to represent
them here. I would not use the word " delegate " in any offensive
sense; but I cannot pass over the fact, that I am a delegate,
representing here nearly four hundred Christian Ministers, who —
by an unanimous vote, or nearly so — requested me to leave my usual
occupations, to bear testimony before this great assembly of the sons
of God, that they concurred most heartily in your enterprise. And
I may say, that the Methodist denomination generally are of the
same mind ; and tender, through their representatives who are here,
their cordial approval, and the pledge of their co-operation — so long
as you pursue the things which make for peace and the glory of the
Saviour. Having made this statement, and expressed our un-
bounded and heartfelt concurrence in this movement, I shall
resume my seat, simply adding, with regard to these meetings, that
since I came into the world, I never before have enjoyed seasons of
such unmingled satisfaction, or have felt so deeply how precious is
the tie which binds the sons of God together.
Rev. S. L. Pomroy. — I came into this Meeting, Sir Culling,
with the resolution that I would not speak ; for I had a little of
the feeling which a Christian Brother of mine once expressed, when
he was just upon the verge of eternity and heaven. I don't say it
was humility ; I don't know what it was. I asked him how he
felt in view of the exchange of worlds ? The hand of death was
upon him, and he lifted up his trembling hand, and said to me,
" Sir, I am a great sinner; but I do hope there is a little corner
somewhere in the great and universal kingdom of God, where,
through grace, I shall be permitted to spend my eternity." And he
laid his head down, and soon died. That "little corner in some
part of God's great and universal kingdom " satisfied him ; and I
felt that, if there was in this room a little corner, I should wish to
be there ; and therefore I purposed not to speak. But my heart is
so stirred up that I cannot help it ; I must speak that I may
be refreshed. Mr. Chairman, I perceive that the Spirit has been
poured out upon this assembly — the Spirit of love and humility ; a
refreshing from the presence of the Lord : and I perceive that the
blessedness of this spirit is pervading all these hearts. Sir, allow
me to say, that I have been permitted, in the providence of God,
to know that blessedness for more than fourteen years ; for, in the
little city where I reside, there has been, for the last thirteen or
fourteen years, a public, practical illustration of all the principles
sought to be carried out by this Alliance, with the blessed results
50 EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE.
which necessarily follow. In that little city, there are some six or
seven different Denominations, all mingling together and combined
in, essentially, the principles laid down as the very Basis of this
Union, although they have no written constitution. The Ministers of
all the Evangelical Denominations are in the habit of meeting, every
Monday morning, from 9 till 11 o'clock, to consult on the general
interests of Religion, to pray together, and to spread before each
other their own difficulties, and the state of things in each of their
churches. And never, during that whole time, has there been a
ripple on the surface of that beautiful sea, either among the
Ministers or the Members of their different churches. Now, Sir,
instances have occurred, where, in the transactions of business,
difficulties have arisen between a Member of my Church and a
Member of the Baptist or the Methodist Church ; and all we have
had to do was — to bring them together, and the matter was settled.
Questions of discipline are as readily settled among the different
Denominations as though they were but one ; and sometimes
the Spirit of God descends upon us in a most wonderful manner,
pervading all the Denominations in the city, giving full effect to the
preaching of the Word. The result of those weekly meetings has
been, that, when we go into our pulpits — though we all preach what
we believe to be true, and have no hesitation in referring to those
differences which exist among us ; yet, after those meetings for
prayer from week to week, it is not in our hearts to say a harsh or
bitter thing. That is a simple illustration, which I wished to lay
before this Meeting, of the principle of Christian Union ; to show
you, Brethren, that the thing is practicable, for it has been reduced
to practice. I used to think that the Denomination to which
I belong — the Congregationalists — the descendants of the Old
Puritans that went from your blessed Island, were larger -hearted,
and more catholic and liberal than some of the Denominations
round about ; and I will tell you how it was I thought so : it was
because I knew more of them. But when we came together from
different Denominations (and as our Methodist Brethren change
their places every two years, we have a constant succession of them),
and talked the matter over, I found the same feelings prevailing in
all, which I had ascribed to my own Denomination. And I declare
to you, that, in these meetings, we neither know nor feel any other
than as one Denomination. I may tell you further ; we can sit
down in our meetings, and talk over, in a calm, Christian, and
brotherly way, all our differences of opinion. We can discuss
Free-will and Predestination, Adult Baptism and Pasdo-baptism, and
other controversial questions, and there shall not be one unkind
SECOND DAV MORNING SESSION. 51
feeling. And the reason of this is, that we simply come together,
and learn how each other feel : and it is just so all the world
over. I venture to say, that if you were to go through this great
City, and get together all the Christian people and Christian
Ministers, and let them talk to one another, and understand each
other, they would be astonished beyond measure at finding how far
they agreed ; and that the points in which they agreed, compared to
those in which they disagreed, were as a hundred to one at least. I will
not prolong these remarks, but simply say, that, from the moment this
Alliance was proposed, my heart entered into it. I was in this king-
dom last year, on my journey to the East, and learned something of
what was proposed to be done; and, as I went through France,
Switzerland, Italy, Malta, Greece, Turkey, and Syria, I talked to the
Brethren about it. It was very late when I reached Malta, and an
Episcopal Brother asked me to take tea with him, and attend a little
meeting they were going to have. He said he had heard something
about an Alliance which was to be formed in England, and he wanted
to talk the matter over. " That I will do," I replied, " with all my
heart." At that meetingthere was a MethodistBrother, a Presbyterian
Brother, and two or three others ; and, having prayed and talked
over the matter, it was soon settled, to send a delegate to this Con-
ference. Proceeding to Constantinople, I there met with seventeen
Missionaries — men of God ; men, I verily believe, of the spirit of
the Apostles, labouring amidst the darkness and corruptions of that
land. They brought the matter up, and said, " What is this
Alliance about? What is done or doing? We wish to have a
hand in it." And the matter was conversed about; and they appointed
one of their number — (a beloved Brother from Smyrna, who is now
a Member of this Conference, — so that Western Asia is represented
here) — to come to this Meeting. They felt, as far as I was able to
ascertain their feelings, that, if this Alliance were formed, it would,
perhaps, in the wisdom and goodness of God, constitute a mighty
fulcrum, across which might be poised a lever, that would raise up
the mighty mass of death and corruption which is crushing those
Eastern lands. They had a hope that something would be done —
something at least projected — which, if carried forward and
completed, would exert a mighty influence in breaking down those
great systems of superstition and error, which for ages have been,
as it were, the gates of hell, through which men are thronging
every day, and every hour, and every minute, with the hope of
heaven ! I pray God, that those expectations, formed by our
Missionary Brethren, may not — and I believe they will not — be
disappointed.
52 EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE.
Rev. M. Vernet spoke in French, (Sir C. E. Smith translating
as before) — I am sorry that, to a certain extent, I am unable to
comprehend what is said here : but I console myself with the
conviction, that I am understood by you all, and you understand
me, because it is a question of love. What I do not understand, I
translate by love; and my desire is, that, what you do not
understand, you should translate in the same manner. The work
in which you are here engaged is peculiarly dear to Evangelical
Christians in France ; there is not a heart in France which knows
the Lord, which does not beat strongly in favour of the object you
are endeavouring to effect. And this is not only from sympathy,
but from a deep feeling of our necessities; for we have great
need in France — I do not say to love one another, because we do
that already, but to unite ourselves together by love. We have
been too much occupied with our own affairs, and have aided and
assisted each other too little : but the time is come when it is
necessary, that, in loving Him who is love, we should love one
another, and walk together. It is a duty which presses upon us in
our present circumstances : we are a small minority in France, and
are obliged to struggle against every description of opposition to
the work of God ; and among the foremost of these obstacles is the
Roman Catholic Church. You know that enemy. But in your
midst he is still very weak, and works, so to say, stealthily ; while
with us, he is in the ascendant, and meets us in every direction ;
and we have to contend against him by devotion and by union.
The Papacy has against us, as it has against all Christians, the
appearance, of union; we must have the reality ; and then we are
sure of victory, for the God whom we serve is the God of Truth.
Our friend Audebez compared the individuals comprising this
assembly to the different regiments of the same army ; I hope we
are only a few of the officers, and that we have our regiments
behind us. Those regiments require to be organized. We will
carry to them your flag, and your pass-word, and that word will be
"love." It has been properly remarked, that the object which has
assembled us is, to manifest our union ; but it must not be
forgotten, that to manifest union is to create it. There is the germ
of union in all hearts into which the Truth of God has penetrated,
and that germ must be made to live. It is by friction that heat is