EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE 368 EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION
much opposition in Germanj'- from the Lutherans, who did iiiit tiiid the creed sufficiently explicit on certain ])oitits, and from the disciples of Schlciermaclier, wlio disaiiprovcd of some of tlie articles. A second assembly was held in Paris in 1855 on the occasion of tlie World's Exliihition. The third meeting was held in Berlin in 1857. The ("Confessional") Lutherans became more determined in their opposition, while the evangelical part}- of Germany, though approving of the general scojie of tlie Alliance, deemed it inexpedient to insist on the acceptance of the nine principles as a condition of niembersliip. This meeting was largelj' attended, delegates from Macao, Africa, and Australia being present, and brought the Alliance more prominently before the churches of Continental Europe. The fuurth meetinij was held at Geneva in 18G0. It was successful, notwithstanding the declension of the Genevan Na- tional Church to sympathize with its objects. Dr. Guthrie, of Scotland ; Dr. Baird, of the United States ; Monod, Pressense, and Gasparin, of France ; Krumma- cher and Dorner, of Germanj' ; Groen van Prinsterer, of Holland ; and Merle d'Aubigne, of Switzerland, were among the most prominent and active members. The fifth meeting was to have been held at Amster- dam in 18G6, but was postponed on account of the prevalence of the cholera at the appointed time till 18(37. The fifth General Conference actuallj' took place at Amsterdam on Aug. 18, 1867, and was largely' at- tended. There were delegates from France, Germa- ny, Switzerland, Holland, Great Britain, the United States, the British American provinces, Italy, Spain, Sweden, and Eastern countries. Baron Van Wasse- naar Catwijlc presided. Among the more prominent delegates were Dr. Krummacher, Prof. Herzog, Dr. Tholuck, and Prof. Lange, of Germany ; Pasteur Ber- sier. Dr. de Pressense, and Prof. St. Hilaire, of France ; Dr. Guthrie, of Scotland ; Jolin Pye Smith, archdea- con Philpot, and S. Gurney, M.P., of England ; Merle d'Aubigne, of Switzerland ; the Rev. Dr. Prime, of the United States, and manj' others. The opening sermon was preached by Prof. Van Oosterzee. Among the sul)jects discussed were the religious condition of the Churcli of England, the Scottish churches, the connec- tion of missions with civilization, Christianity, and literature, and art and science ; the methods of oper- ating missions; the religious condition of Germanj', France, Holland, Belgium, and Italj' ; evangelical non- conformity ; Christianity and the nationalities ; and various suljjects of theology and philosophj-. Inter- esting reports were received of the progress of relig- ious liberty in Turkej', and of the thraldom of opinion in Spain. The observance of the Sabbath received especial consideration, resulting in tlie adoption of a resolution calling upon the members of the Alliance to use in their several places of abode and spheres of in- fluence earnest endeavors to secure from states, mu- nicipalities, and masters of establishments, from eveiy one, the weeklj' day of rest from labor, " in order that all may freely and fullj' participate in the temporal and s])iritual benetits of the Lord's daj-." A letter of afTection and sympathy was adopted to Christians scat- tered al)r()ad, particularlj' to those who are laboring against tlie hostile influences of heathenism or of su- perstition, and whose rights of pulilie worship are re- strained or abridged. A protest against war was adopt- ed. Special meetings were held on Sundaj'-schools and systematic benevolence. A series of meetings for the poor were held in one of the mission-rooms of the citj' with wholesome effect, and two temperance meet- ings. Tlie assembly adjourned on Tuesday, Aug. 27. The ICvangelical Alliance of the United States was organized in New York city on Jan. HO, 18(i7. Emi- nent divines and laymen of the jNIethodist Ejjiscopal, Prcsliyterian, Protestant Episcopal, German Re'formed, Reformed, and Baptist churches, and from various parts of the country, signified their approval of the move- ment cither by attendance in person or by letter. A
letter of co-operation was read from the secretary of the British liranch of the Alliance. The Hon. William E. Dodge was elected president of the American branch. At a meeting held in New York Nov. 12, 1868, it was resolved to convene a new General Conference of the Evangelical Alliance in the city of New York in the autunm of 1869. The British branch onlj' of the na- tional branches has been in the practice of holding annual meetings.
"Among the results alreadj' attained bj' the Alli- ance as incidental and secondarj' to its great object maj' be mentioned. The supplj' of an obvious want, namely, the existence of an organized bodj- with and bj' whom correspondence and co-operation maj' be eas- ily and effectuallj' carried on between Christians in different parts of the world, and which maj' greatly aid in uniting Christians in this country separated by ecclesiastical differences and other causes ; the hold- ing of conferences of Christians from all parts of the world, for devotion and mutual consultation, in Lon- don, Paris, Berlin, and other cities ; aiding in the re- vival of religion both at home and abroad ; the con- vening of veiy manj' meetings for united praj'er for the outpouring of the Spirit, and in reference to pass- ing events of importance ; the communication of much information as to the religious condition of Christen- dom ; the encouragement of Christians exposed to tri- als and difficulties bj' the expression of sj'mpathy, and in several instances by eliciting pecuniary aid ; suc- cessful interference on behalf of Christians and others when persecuted in Roman Catholic and Moliammedan countries ; the mitigation or removal of the persecu- tion of Protestants bv their fellow-Protestants in Ger- manj' and elsewhere ; the presentation of memorials to the sovereigns of Europe, including the sultan him- self, on behalf of liberty of conscience for Mussulmcn ; the encouragement and assistance of the friends of pure evangelical doctrine in all Protestant countries in their struggle with Rationalism or infidelity ; the uniting of evangelical Christians in different countries for fraternal intercourse and for mutual protection ; opposition, in common with other bodies, to the prog- ress of poperj' ; the resistance of projects which would tend to the desecration of the Lord's daj' ; the ori.^^ina- tion and extensive circulation of prize essaj's on the Sabbath, and on Popery and infidelity ; and the orig- ination of societies established on the principle of xinited action among evangelical Christians, such as the Turkish IMissions Aid Society, tlie Continental Committee for Religious Libertj', Christian Vernacu- lar Education Societj' for India, and German Aid So- cietj'. Although these practical results are thus re« feiTed to, j'et it is to be understood that, even if no such secondaiy objects had been accomplished or at- tempted, the great value of the Alliance would still remain in its adaptation to promote and manifest union among Christians. The preceding is from an author- itative statement made bj' the Alliance" (Eadie, Ec- clesiastical Enci/clopo'dia, s. v.).- — Herzog, Real-Ency- klopddte, \>. 270; Schem, American Ecclesiastical AL manac for 1868 ; the full reports of the General As- semblies of the Alliance; Dr. Massie, The Evanr;elical Alliance, its Origin and Development (Lond. John Snow, 1847) ; L. Bonnet, L'unite de Vesprit par le lien de la paix ; Lettres siir VaUiance fvangeliqne (Paris, Delaj', 1847) ; A m.and For. Ch. Union, Sept. 1856, p. 269 ; Dec. 1856, p. .867 ; Princeton Rev. Oct. 1846. (A. J. S.)