" Truth" should be inserted before Ci the spirit of Jesus;"' making
the latter part of the Resolution to read, "the necessity and duty of
taking measures, in humble dependence on the Divine blessing,
towards attaining a state of mind and feeling more in accordance
with the word" or " truth and spirit of Christ Jesus." (This



62 -EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE.

suggestion of Dr. Cunningham appeared to afford general satis-
faction.)

Rev. E. Bickersteth. — Much as I love my dear Brethren from
Scotland who have spoken,, and agreeing in their general sentiments,
I cannot but submit, whether it would not be a matter of great
inconvenience materially to change or to interfere with a Resolution
which has been so long and carefully considered, and to adopt an
alteration at once, before we have had time to examine it ? We all
so entirely and cordially concur in the sentiments of the Resolution
as it now stands, that I do think, being thus unanimous, it would
be a very great advantage to pass it as it is, without any material
change.

Rev. T. Scales, — If the Mover and Seconder of the Resolution
agree to the introduction of the words le Word and" before "spirit,"
we shall be unanimous.

After one or two further observations from Dr. Bunting and
others, the Mover and Seconder agreed to the addition of the
words "Word and" before "spirit of Christ Jesus"; and the
original Resolution, thus amended, was carried unanimously.

Rev. Norman McLeod engaged in prayer.

The Conference then adjourned to 5 p.m.



AFTERNOON SESSION.

The Conference re-assembled at 5 o'clock p.m.
Rev. J. Tod Brown moved, and
Sir C. E. Smith seconded,
" That the Rev. J. Angell James preside over the Devotional Exercises."

Carried.

The Meeting then Sung 135th Hymn, 1st Book, Dr. Watts.

The Chairman read 1 Corinthians, 3rd Chapter.

Rev. Carr John Glyn engaged in prayer.

The 89th Psalm, Dr. Watts, was then sung.

Rev. Thomas Binney engaged in prayer.

The Chairman. — Beloved Brethren, before I quit that Chair, to
which I have been raised by your great and unmerited kindness, I
will avail myself of the example of my predecessors, in oifering a
few — a very few remarks. In occupying this seat, I feel I have
reached the highest post, and received the richest honour, which I
can desire or hope for, till I sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and



SECOND DAY — AFTERNOON SESSION. »'>J

Jacob, in the kingdom of our Father. It is impossible for me to
forget the scenes I have witnessed, in bygone years, in this Hall.
It was here that the first attempt at a Christian Alliance was made,
as far as our nation is concerned ; for it was here that the British
and Foreign Bible Society held from year to year its Public
Meetings. Here many of us have listened to strains which we shall
hear no more ; and the very echoes of those voices which then
delighted us seem to be awakened on this, and by this, occasion.
I cannot but imagine, that if Wilberforce were still an inhabitant of
our World, his noble, generous, and Catholic spirit would have
delighted to grace this assembly with his presence, and to charm it
with his eloquence. And we that are here this afternoon — and
indeed on every occasion on which we meet here now — seem
emphatically to have come to the " spirits of just men made
perfect." " Blessed are our eyes for they see, and our ears for they
hear," what those good and great men, who have departed to their
rest (at least many of them) were never permitted to see and hear.
The scenes which are now before us — which have been before us
for the past day — and which are still to come before us — throw us
into the state of the holy Apostle Paul ; and are calculated to make
us doubt, whether it were better to remain here, and carry on this
great and glorious work, or to go up to that World, where a still
more perfect exhibition of Christian Love is to be found. Here,
however, we are preparing for that scene. Love is that to the moral
world, the one simple, powerful principle, which gravitation is to
the world of matter ; the principle which binds all in concord in the
one, as that does in the other. We have talked of Charity, we have
preached upon it, we have written upon it ; but now we see it.
It is embodied in the scene before us, as we have never seen it
before, and as we shall never see it again, till we are raised to that
blessed state where there is more perfection than there is here.
When I say we shall never see it again, I mean, that beyond the
circle of this blessed fellowship, all hope must perish of our
witnessing such a triumph of Love, till we are raised to our seat in
Glory. And fail we shall, if we depend upon our own wisdom and
strength, to carry this work to its consummation. I was most
forcibly impressed this morning, with one reference in the closing
prayer, which is upon my spirit at this moment, — that, though we
have thus far succeeded in preserving the " unity of the Spirit in
the bond of peace," we have as much need of the directing, con-
trolling, cementing, guiding influences of the Spirit, as we had the
first moment in which we entered upon this blessed attempt. Let
not past successes, dear Brethren, for one moment throw us off our



64 EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE.

guard : let us not imagine, that, because hitherto no root of bitterness
has sprung up to trouble us, none therefore can spring up. The
past should encourage us to hope for the future ; but God in His
mercy forbid, that anything should take us off from that simple,
entire dependence upon the teaching and help of that Spirit,
which we need through every stage of our business. We cannot
forget, that we have yet attended only to preliminary matters, and
that we are now approaching, and for myself I say it (and I am
confident I speak the sentiments and feelings of all who are
present), with an awe which I cannot express, the very purpose for
which all this preparation has been made, and for which, from all
parts of the World, we are now assembled. We are now about to
try, if God's grace will help us, to form the Evangelical Alliance.
It is our business this evening; and, in the spirit of those devout
supplications which have now been presented to the Almighty, may
we go to one of the greatest achievements, which God, through all the
Christian Era, has called His people to accomplish ! May we
be baptized with the Spirit of all grace, so that we may pass from
devotion to business — from devotion did I say ? — may it be all
devotion ! may our business be devotion ! may every utterance of
the mind, in the expression of the tongue, be the utterance of a
heart, for that moment under the controlling and guiding influences
of the Holy Spirit ! and may it be, that, at the close of this
evening, we may have a repetition of that holy burst of wonder,
joy, and gratitude, which followed, at the Liverpool Conference, the
announcement, that the Basis of Union — first by 50 in Committee,
and then by 200 in Conference — was adopted unanimously ! Send
now, O Lord God, prosperity !

Sir C. E. Smith took the Chair.

Rev. W. Bevan read the minutes of the Morning Sitting,
which were confirmed.

The Chairman said it was of great importance, that speakers
should confine their remarks to the business under consideration —
reserving more extended views of the subject for the Public
Meetings.

Rev. Dr. Buchanan rose to move —

u III. That, therefore, the Members of this Conference are deeply convinced of
the desirableness of forming a confederation, on the basis of great Evangelical
principles held in common by them, which may afford opportunity to
Members of the Church of Christ of cultivating brotherly love, enjoying
Christian intercourse, and promoting such other objects as they may hereafter
agree to prosecute together ; and they hereby proceed to form such a
confederation, under the name of 'THE EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE. 5 "



SECOND DAY AFTEKXOOX SESSION. 60

Dr. Buchanan. — Mr. Chairman, I can honestly assure you, that
I feel myself altogether inadequate to the duty of proposing to this
Conference a Resolution so very important and momentous. Un-
equal to such a task at all times, I am particularly so, when called
to perform it in the midst of the occupations and excitement of
this most interesting and glorious assembly. There is only one
consideration which emboldens me to undertake it ; and it is, that,
really and truly — I say it not figuratively, but literally — it needs
no advocate. The very fact of this assembly is a proof that it
needs no advocate. What, Sir, has brought, by one common
impulse, men from the east and the west, the north and the south,
into this Hall, but the desire, the determination, by the help and
blessing of God, to pass such a Resolution, and to form the Con-
federation which is now contemplated ? It cannot, however, but
be regarded as a peculiar, an eventful, and an interesting moment in
the history of this great enterprise, at which we have now arrived.
What has hitherto been merely preparatory and propositional, is
now, by the help and blessing of God, to become permanent.
What has been, hitherto, but the object of our longings and
prayers, is now to be realised. Christian Union is henceforth to
have, not a name only, but a local habitation upon the earth ; an
habitation built, I trust, not by an arm of flesh, but by the Spirit of
the living God. The Resolution now before us proceeds on the
assumption, that it is greatly desirable that such a Confederation
should be formed. The reasons which render it desirable, I do not
need to urge : they have been already amply considered, and amply
set forth, by the speakers who have moved and seconded the
preceding Resolutions. In those Resolutions, we have heard
reasons, drawn at once from the intended unity and actual divisions
of the Church of Christ, why such a Confederation as this ought to
be formed: and on these reasons I need not detain you for a
moment ; all here are alive to them ; your presence affords an
evidence, that they are duly understood and appreciated. The
Resolution, then, assuming it to be desirable that such a Confedera-
tion should be formed, recommends that it be formed on the basis
of great Evangelical principles held in common by us all. There
are those, as is well known, who would have preferred that this
Confederation should have rested, not on the basis of common
principles, but on the basis of common operations. I am satisfied,
that, unless this Confederation, when it is formed, shall have
operations as well as principles, its union will neither be efficient
nor enduring ; but, at the same time, I have never been able to see
any solid objection to proceeding on certain recognized principles ;



(36 EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE.

while, on the other hand, I see many important advantages in it.

If another form of confederation had been adopted, and if it had

been determined, without any principles formally stated, to proceed

on a certain understanding respecting our operations, we must,

nevertheless, have been really and truly going upon principles all

the while. It is impossible for Christain men to come together,

and act together in any Christain cause, without having, either

proposed or understood, a foundation of the whole procedure, —

certain principles on which they are united. And, if so, I

certainly have never been able to see any objection to having those

principles (which must at all events be understood) formally and

distinctly announced. In these circumstances, we shall better

understand with whom we are co-operating; and the conviction

will be strengthened, that we are engaged in the prosecution of a

common cause, so far as we are lifting up a common standard for the

Truth of God. With reference to the great Evangelical Principles,

on which, in point of fact, this Confederation is to be formed, these

will be considered under a subsequent Resolution ; and it would be

out of place now to notice them at all. I proceed, therefore, at

once, to advert to what stands next in this Resolution ; — to the

purposes, with reference to which, this Confederation is to be

formed. The Resolution states these purposes to be, — to afford an

opportunity to members of the Church of Christ to cultivate

brotherly love, and to enjoy fraternal and devotional intercourse

with one another; and, along with these, to pursue such other

objects as may hereafter be determined on. With regard to the

class of objects specified in the Resolution, it needs not that one

word should be said, to show their importance and their value. Sir,

we have been, for these last few days, as well as in the Meetings which

preceded this great Conference, experiencing in our own souls, the

importance and the blessedness of the purposes which are here

contemplated. We have known and felt what it is, to have such

an opportunity as these Meetings afford, of cultivating brotherly

love, and of enjoying fraternal and devotional intercourse. No

doubt there is Truth as well as Love ; and they must grow together.

But Love is certainly the element in which Truth is best discerned ;

and all of us must have felt, that, in the act of cultivating this

brotherly love, and in the enjoyment of this devotional and

fraternal intercourse, we have been in the most favourable

attitude for seeing eye to eye, even in those matters concerning

which we still disagree. By so doing, therefore, we are not acting

as preferring Love to Truth, or as magnifying Love at the expense of

Truth ; but as seeking, by the help and blessing of God, to follow



SECOND DAY AFTERNOON SESSION. 67

our Divine Master's command, and thus to be in a position in which
we shall be warranted to expect that outpouring of the blessed
Spirit, that unction of the Holy One., by which we shall not only
know the things in which we are already instructed, but all other
things which concern God's will and our duty. I have, Sir, in
remembrance, the admonition with which you, so wisely and
appropriately, opened this evening's Conference ; and I am, there-
fore, proceeding rapidly from one point to another of the Resolution
I have been asked to propose. Already I am at the last point
which it contemplates ; and this has reference to the name by
which the proposed Confederation shall be known. I hold in
my hand a pamphlet, the work of one honored in the Church of
Christ — the work of the venerable Chalmers — in which it is
recommended, that we should call ourselves, not the " Evangelical,"
but the " Protestant Alliance." In giving this recommendation,
Dr. Chalmers was only taking up and expressing views, which
some entertained and expressed nine months ago, when Ave held the
first Meeting at Liverpool ; but I have not, Sir, been moved, even
by the weight of his name, or by the power of his forcible
reasoning, to diverge from the conviction to which I was brought
nine months ago : and I still think, that, in view of all circum-
stances, it is better that we should adhere to the name, then
suggested, of the " Evangelical Alliance." But, Sir, though I
adhere to the original name, I must love the character, which the
name indicated by Dr. Chalmers is designed to give to our Alliance.
And if I thought for a moment, that in preferring the name
f Evangelical ' to â–  Protestant,' I should be thereby impairing the
Protestant character of this Confederation, I would never stand in
the position which I now occupy. I believe, Sir, that the only
effective Protestant Alliance is an Evangelical Alliance ; and that
the only effectual resistance which can be made to that Antichrist,
that Man of Sin, that Son of Perdition, who now, as of old, is
cc exalting himself above all that is called God, or that is
worshipped, sitting in the temple of God, and showing himself that
he is God " — I believe, that the only successful antagonist to
that Antichrist is Christ Himself in His glorious Gospel. Sir, this
is not the time to dilate on the objects in connexion with that idea,
which, though hinted at in the Resolution I have the honour to
propose, are not properly under your consideration. A specific
Resolution will come in due course, in which those objects are not
only indirectly indicated, as in this Resolution, but fully developed,
and will receive, I doubt not, the careful and enlightened con-
sideration of this great Christian Assembly. I only wish to say,



68 EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE.

that, when I propose that this Confederation should be distinguished
by the name of the " Evangelical," rather than by that of the
''Protestant Alliance/' it is with the full belief, that, as an
Evangelical it will be a Protestant Alliance, in the best and
widest sense of the term. And let me only say, in conclusion,
— We have had difficulties before this movement was commenced ;
every step of its progress has been beset with difficulties ; it has
been our misfortune, in the providence of God, to contend even with
beloved friends in vindication of the cause in which we are
engaged ; and, Sir, let us not expect that these difficulties are now
to terminate. If this be the cause of God — as from my heart I
believe it to be, and if it be a movement which He designs to use
and honour for the furtherance of His kingdom in this
fallen World — have we not a right to expect — are we so ignorant
of Satan's devices as not to know — that an adversary is in the field,
watching every step we take in this great and blessed cause, and
that that adversary will thrust sore at us that we may fall ? It
must, therefore, be our constant care to be ever near the arm of
Him, who is alone mighty to carry us over these great mountains,
and to make them become as a plain. These difficulties may
increase at every step we advance ; but, Sir, I trust, that these are
but preparations for another and a better day; and that there shall
be such a transition as was indicated in the venerable saying of the
Great Reformer of our beloved land, when, speaking in reference
to one great crisis in his religious history, he observed, that those
tumults and trials, and strifes and enmities, in which we may be
involved, and through which we may have to make our way to
the desired consummation of our hopes may but be as the
voice of mighty waters, preparing the way for the music of the
harpers harping with their harps, — when this whole earth shall be
filled with melody and mirth, and when the name of it shall be,
Jehovah-Shammah, " The Lord is there."

Rev. Dr. De Witt. — I heartily sympathized, Sir, with the
beloved Brother who presided over our devotional exercises, when
he said, that the place he then occupied he felt to be the most
exalted he could covet or possess. I feel that it is a privilege indeed,
to second the Resolution, which is now offered, to form the
Evangelical Alliance. Happy would I have been to have remained
in this house unnoticed and unheard, a silent and gratified
spectator and listener ; but to be allowed the privilege of seconding
this Motion, is an event the remembrance of which will, I doubt not,
remain with me, even to my dying bed. In the institution of that
Alliance, the formation of which we are now entering upon, I find



SECOND DAY AFTERNOON SESSION. 69

the realization of long cherished desires and hopes. Though in great
feebleness, I have, in my limited sphere, and with my small
measure of influence, sought to cherish the spirit of affection and
confidential intercourse with my Ministerial Brethren, as well as
with private Christians. I have felt the desirableness of breaking
down the partition walls, which exist not so much in denominations
as in spirit ; and of visibly meeting, as one in Christ, and as one in
our common labours. And when the project — emanating from
this great centre of influence in the Christian world — reached our
shores, I greeted it as an omen for the good of our World: — I
hailed it as a star which was rising, and which would culminate.
Gladly, when deputed to attend these Meetings, did I look upon the
Atlantic : and are we not here all present, prepared to unite in
and repeat the chorus, " Blessed are our eyes, for they see what
kings and prophets desired to see, and yet saw not ; " and "Blessed
are our ears, for they hear what kings and prophets desired to hear,
and yet heard not"? And, Sir, I am cheered with a strong and
confiding hope, that we shall perfect the work which we have now
begun. I was not without my fears — and fears were expressed by
my Christian friends — that, in proportion to the exceeding
desirableness and magnitude of the object, was the danger, lest the
safeguards of truth should not be united with the cement of love :
but these fears have passed away, and have been changed into strong
hopes ; and those anxieties have yielded to firm confidence. I have
watched, in the preparatory meetings, and I have listened, and have
compared, and have marked what I thought to be the wisdom and
the candour displayed in all those assemblies. I felt myself in an
atmosphere of love, which I could not but inhale and breathe forth.
I have been struck too with the humility and the dependence upon the
Spirit of God which have been manifested : and in that dependence
is our strength. "When we are weak, then are we strong;" and
I would say, in reference to a remark made by the respected
Brother who preceded me, as to trials, and obstacles, and diffi-
culties, — let us, instead of looking askance at each other, and
repeating our own Shibboleths, look unto Jesus, Avho is the Author
and Finisher of our faith. " Behold the Man whose name is the
Branch : for He shall grow up out of his place ; and He shall build
the temple of the Lord ; even He shall build the temple of the
Lord ; and He shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon
his throne" (Zech. vi. 12, 13). Let me, Sir, in the name of
my American Brethren, say, that we greet the commencement of
the organization of the Evangelical Alliance. Under the genial
influence of your protracted councils, we have found ourselves



70 EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE.

drawn closer and closer together. We thank God on your behalf,
that among you there has arisen a branch, which we trust will
spring up in our western soil, and take root, and spread itself
through that extended field, where there is much land to be
possessed^ — a branch, the leaves of which shall be for the healing
of the nations. It is indeed good and pleasant for brethren to
dwell together in unity. It is like the holy oil, that flows from
the great High-priest of our profession, and falls down to the
skirts of His garments — every member of the blood-bought and
sanctified flock of Christ : and that spirit will assuredly calm and
soothe the troubled surges of all religious controversy and
animosity. It is good to be here, Sir ; for the dew of heaven is
falling, and here God commands His blessing, even life for
evermore. It is good to be here ; but let us build no tabernacles :
let us rather go and carry this eternal life to a perishing world !

J. P. Plumtre, Esq. M. P. — Sir Culling, my Christian
Friends and Brethren, I count it a peculiar honour, and a peculiar
happiness, that I have been invited, and that I am permitted, to
support the proposition which has been made to you, — that that
which has hitherto been looked upon as the "proposed" Evan-
gelical Alliance, should now be a settled and established one. It
is a transporting thought, that, — looking upon those who are
assembled here, — and knowing, as I do, that you are assembled
here from different parts of the World, — still I can look upon you all
as Brethren of our common Elder Brother. Yes, my dear friends,
He who was one with the Father from everlasting, when He took
our nature upon Him, and lived and died in our place and stead,
was not ashamed to call his followers " Brethren ;*' and we are now
assembled together, looking to Him as our common Head, who was
born that He might lift us up from the pit, and raise us from the
dunghill, and set us among princes. And now what are we met to
do ? To form an Alliance as Brethren of one another, and Brethren
of Him our Elder Brother ; and it cannot be, I am persuaded, that,
met as we are by the wondrous and gracious providence of God,
and drawn together, as I am sure we have been, by some more than
mortal power — it cannot be, I repeat, that our purpose should
be otherwise than established ; or, that, being thus brought
together, we should part with any other feelings than those of the
warmest and most fervent affection to one another. This, I am