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THE EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE AND THE SLAVERY

QUESTION.

It is now about twelve months since we directed the attention of our readers to the constitution and principles of this much-talked-of society. We then took the liberty of stating, freely and without reserve, our objections to its sectarian character. Since that time, the "Alliance" has been gradually developing itself, and certain movements have taken place in its ranks which may be interesting for our readers to observe. On the 19th of August last, the Aggregate London Meeting began its sittings, in Exeter Hall, for the purpose of settling, finally, the form and constitution of the association. The Conference was attended by delegates from the Free Church of Scotland, the Wesleyan Methodist Connexion, Presbyterians of almost every shade and description, and a few from the Established Church of England. In addition to these, individuals were present from France, Italy, Germany, and America. The Wesleyan Methodists and Free Church folks were the most numerous. No sooner had they assembled than they resolved to conduct their deliberations with closed doors, and a proposition for the admission of reporters was negatived by a large majority. The following motion was adopted in reference to this point:-"That, in the judgment of this Conference, it is extremely undesirable for any report of their proceedings to be given to the public, except under their own direction; and they express their confidence that none of their own members will furnish materials for such a purpose to any newspaper whatever." It must be admitted, that here was a very bad, suspicious beginning, and we regret that the proceedings, generally, were in perfect keeping with it. Into this Alliance, only those persons are admitted who hold what are generally understood to be Evangelical or Orthodox views; but strange to say, these are not to be regarded in any strict sense as a creed or confession, nor is the "Alliance" to be considered an alliance of denominations, but of individual Christians, each acting on his own responsibility. The Alliance hypocritically declare that the adoption of their nine articles of belief is not an "assumption of the right authoritatively to define the limits of Christian brotherhood." Indeed! And for what conceivable object or purpose, then, did these men sit down to manufacture another human creed? Did it not occur to them that there was a sufficient number of such things already in existence, and that the New Testament was the best, and the only proper standard by which to " define the limits of Christian brotherhood." The Conference, by way of illustrating, practically, their pretended moderation and humility, refused to receive, as a member, Johannes Czerski, formerly a Roman Catholic Priest, be

cause, although differing in opinion with Ronge, the great German Reformer, he had laboured, hand in hand with him, for the overthrow of human authority in religious matters. "Czerski," says the Morning Advertiser, "has been suffered to walk the streets of London without recognition. The Evangelical Alliance had no welcome to offer him. But for the friendly offices of the Rev. Mr. Herschell, a converted Jew, who statedly preaches in the Edgeware Road, this eminent individual would have left our land, and returned to his country a broken-hearted man.”

But perhaps the worst illustration of the spirit by which the Alliance is actuated, may be found in its conduct respecting the subject of slavery. This great and important question was regularly introduced in connexion with that of Church-membership, and it threatens, eventually, to break up the Evangelical Alliance altogether. On the motion, "That the Alliance shall consist of those persons, in all parts of the world, who shall concur in the principles and objects adopted by the Conference," it was proposed to insert the words, "not being slave-holders." On this there arose a warm discussion. Dr. Wardlaw of Glasgow suggested a compromise, expressing "abhorrence of the system," but not making it "a test of admission." The debate was adjourned for a time; and in the interval the American slaveholding delegates retired to pray for more enlightenment (although they had already determined how to act), and the other members of Conference withdrew to enjoy the pleasures of the dinner-table.

Afterwards, when the excitement occasioned by this debate on the slavery question became so great, and when both parties had evidently made up their minds not to yield, the amendment was withdrawn, and a committee was appointed, consisting of American, English, and European delegates, to frame a resolution which might meet the difficulties of the case. This was rather a puzzling task, and one in which, as might be expected, they have signally failed. The resolution, which was introduced and carried against a decided opposition, expressed their "confidence, that no branch will admit to membership slaveholders, who, by their own fault, continue in that position, retaining their fellow-men in slavery from regard to their own interests." degrading compromise of the question is naturally distasteful to those who looked to the Alliance for an honest and unequivocal condemnation of the sin of slave-holding; and it is far from meeting the difficulty in the society itself. The American delegates would not accept the resolution, even although qualified by the words, "by their own fault." The discussion, therefore, was re-commenced, and the "supposed happy settlement, or rather evasion of the difficulty, which (in the words of the Nonconformist) was regarded as the triumph of sagacity and a special answer to the prayer for divine direction," was

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thrown to the winds! The whole affair was then referred once more to a large committee, and, on their recommendation, the clause that had reference to slavery was rescinded! Thus the matter ended, and the subject of the admission of members now stands over to a future meeting of the Alliance, each branch in the meantime being permitted to admit or exclude slave-holders, as they may think proper, equally with duellists, drunkards, &c. &c. against whom no exception had been attempted.

But although the slavery question has been thus shamefully evaded by the Alliance, it has been taken up with great energy and spirit, since that time, by the Anti-Slavery League. This latter Association have unanimously recorded the following resolution:-"That the conduct of the Evangelical Alliance, recently held in this city,-first, in adopting a declaration that persons may be slave-holders without any fault of their own, and from disinterested motives, and thus be entitled to Christian fellowship and membership in their body; and finally, to propitiate the pro-slavery spirit of American delegates, in erasing from their proceedings all reference to the subject of slavery, in order to prevent an open rupture,-deserves the condemnation of every uncompromising friend of the rights of humanity, as an abandonment of the cause of the slave, and a virtual approval of the acts of his oppressor."

INTELLIGENCE.

SUNDAY-SCHOOL TEA-PARTY.

ON Wednesday evening the 25th ult. the Rev. Hugh Moore, Newtownards, the teachers of his Sunday school, and a few of the members of the congregation, entertained the children of the Sunday school at a tea-party in the meeting-house. Though the invitations were confined to those who had been most regular in their attendance for the preceding six months, yet nearly two hundred children were in attendance, and conducted themselves throughout the evening with the greatest propriety.

After tea, the doors of the meetinghouse were opened to the parents of the children, the members of the congregation, and all who were desirous of being present, when the proceed ings of the evening were commenced by the children singing a few of the hymns with which they were in the habit of closing the services of the school every Sunday morning.

During the course of the evening, the premiums were distributed which had been awarded to the children for the regularity of their attendance, and their exemplary diligence during the half-year ending the 1st of November.

The choir of the congregation contributed very much to the enjoyment of all who were present, by singing a few of the newest and most popular hymns and anthems, which they executed with great taste and judgment. A very beautiful and appropriate address was delivered to the children by Mr. Joseph Nelson, a student in the Royal Belfast Academical Institution, and formerly a teacher in the Sunday school. Altogether, the proceedings of the evening were very interesting to the members of the congregation, and the friends from other congregations who were kind enough to attend; and are not likely to be soon forgotten either by the teachers or the children.

PRESENTATION.

A deputation from the First Presbyterian Congregation of Larne waited on their Minister, the Rev. Classon Porter, not long since, and presented him with an excellent pair of farm horses, in appropriate harness. Mr. Porter has lately got possession of the farm which formerly belonged to the Rev. Mr. Sinclair, one of his prede cessors in the pastoral charge of the First Congregation, Larne; and the gift of his people, on this occasion, was, therefore, judiciously selected. The terms of the address which accompanied this present, were strongly expressive of the esteem and affection with which the liberal Presbyterians of Larne deservedly regard their excellent pastor. Mr. Porter made a suitable reply.

TESTIMONIAL ΤΟ THE REV. JOHN M'CAW OF RAVARA, NEAR SAINT

FIELD.

On 29th Nov. last, the Remonstrant (Unitarian) Congregation of Ravara (aided by a few friends) presented their pastor, the Rev. John M'Caw, with an address, and a horse, jaunting-car, and harness-an exceedingly neat "turn out"-as a mark of their attachment to him, and of their regard for his many estimable qualities. The address was read by the secretary to the congregation, Alex. Bradley, Esq. of Saintfield. Mr. M'Caw's reply was very beautiful and appropriate, and was listened to by the congregation, most of the members being present on the interesting occasion, with profound attention. It must be very gratifying to Mr. M'Caw, to find that his exertions (which have been so successful in establishing and extending his congregation in the face of much opposition) are so well appreciated by his flock.

FUND FOR THE BETTER SUPPORT OF

UNITARIAN MINISTERS IN ENGLAND.

We are gratified to perceive, among the wealthier members of our communion in England, a growing anxiety to promote the comfort and respectability of their pastors. A plan for this purpose has been suggested, and, we believe, commenced, by W. H. Cotton, Esq. of Upper Clapton. "My scheme is," says he, "to raise a sum for the further support of our ministers;-in the first place, those in the country who have the care of large congre

gations of the poorer classes of our fellow-worshippers, whose salaries are not merely inadequate to their merits, but even to meet the common wants of life;-in the second place, to assist those where the attendants on their ministry are few; and though the subscribers may pay what they consider liberal, yet may be unable to place their pastors in that station in society to which they are entitled, by their talents and education, and in which all well-wishers to our holy and righteous cause desire to see them;-in the third place, to apply the fund, as it increases, to other congregations: thus, if a church raise £100 a-year by subscriptions, to add to it 100 shillings a-year; and in this manner to continue to augment the stipends as the fund enlarges. And, fourthly, with every hundred pounds paid, to purchase £100 stock, in the 3 per cents. immediately." Such is an outline of this gentleman's benevolent object. We wish him great success; and we are glad to see, from the Inquirer, that a few anonymous friends to this project have already offered their subscriptions of one hundred pounds each.

ABOLITION OF THE PUNISHMENT OF DEATH.

We rejoice that this important subject seems to occupy, at present, a large and influential portion of the public mind in England. Almost every newspaper brings us intelligence of crowded meetings of those who, from conviction, oppose the infliction of death, as a punishment. We trust that the enthusiasm with which this subject is taken up in England, may extend to Ireland and Scotland; and that numerous petitions may be forwarded to the legislature from every part of the empire.

At a large meeting, assembled in Finsbury chapel, not long since, Henry Vincent, Esq. concluded a long and most interesting speech, in the following terms:-"He was convinced, that upon the highest Christian ground, Government could not possess the right of taking away human life. He was deeply conscious of the fact, that the glorious doctrine of human brotherhood would never be a practical and living thing in the world till the sanctity of human life was the recognised philosophy of all the nations of the earth. The law was not the doctrine of human brotherhood-the scaf

fold was not the emblem of this beantiful principle; it was the emblem of that spirit which had so long substituted revenge for love-it was the emblem of that spirit which had in all ages marred the peace of the world, which had been at the very foundation of all human despotism and outrage; and it would require this doctrine of life's sanctity to be taught, before the world could have a safe and secure progress towards that higher destiny, in which it can be realized. He invoked all present to free their minds from the idea that the scaffold could invest human life with sanctity, and to rally round the standard of that beautiful religion which taught them to love their enemies, and to regard the meanest part of God's creation as a brother in that great brotherhood which their own Parent had created."

GATESHEAD.-GROSVENOR ST. CHAPEL.

This convenient, excellently arranged and eligible place of worship (formerly a Primitive Methodist Chapel) was opened on Sunday afternoon, November 22, by the Rev. George Harris. A considerable number of the members of the Newcastle congregation gave their sanction to this effort by their presence on the occasion; and

the attendance of persons who had never previously listened to Christian Unitarian worship and preaching, was much more numerous than had been anticipated. Nearly three hundred people assembled, and, at the close of the service, copies of the Unitarian's Appeal, Questions to Trinitarians, One Hundred Scriptural Arguments, were distributed at the doors. The services will be continued, on Sunday afternoons, by Mr. Harris, in addition to those morning and evening, at Hanover Square, Newcastle.

LONDON DOMESTIC MISSION SOCIETY.

The annual evening meeting of the friends and members of this Society took place on Tuesday evening, the 17th ult. at the Mission Chapel. W. Wansey, Esq. took the chair, and the meeting was addressed in appropriate speeches by the Rev. Dr. Hutton, Messrs. Taggart, R. K. Philp, and Vidler, and also by Mr. R. Martineau, Mr. Surridge, Mr. H. C. Robinson, Mr. C. Williams, &c. &c.

The Chairman took occasion to read a list of subscriptions, and stated that they had reached £400. He also stated that he had received letters from Dr. Bowring, M.P. and Dr. Bateman, regretting their inability to attend.

OBITUARY.'

DIED-At Lambeg, October 12, 1846, aged 20 years, JANE, third daughter of Mr. JOHN GRAHAM. This young person possessed singular outward attractions; but, great as these were, they were far surpassed by the gentleness of her disposition, the kindness of her heart, the retiring modesty of her demeanour, and the unspotted purity of her life. The very charity and holiness of her own nature led her to adopt cheering views of God's Dispensations, and of the future condition of man. She saw, in God, the Father of all, and, in Jesus Christ, the Saviour of all. She therefore lived in purity, and died in peace.

Died-On the 1st ult. at Trevor Hill, Newry, Mrs. MELLING, relict of the late JOHN MELLING, Esq. a man who seems still to live in remembrance

of his friends and fellow-citizens with an unusual freshness. She whom God hath now gathered to Himself, as a ripe sheaf in due season, was a help meet for Mr. M. The warmth of her affections, the gentleness of her disposition, the holiness of her life, the meekness of her patience under long suffering, the unreservedness of her trust in God, and calm reliance, for re-union with those she loved, on the promises of the Gospel, marked her as one who felt the power and reality of religion. She was, from conviction, attached to Unitarianism; and nothing seemed more incomprehensible to her than the terms in which that faith is sometimes spoken of, having herself felt its sustaining power in the trials of life, and in the view of death.

NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS. We have been obliged to postpone some valuable papers which we would have gladly published in the present number, had it been possible.-We beg to decline the lines entitled "Inspiration." It is requested, that all communications intended for insertion in the Irish Unitarian Magazine, will be forwarded, not later than the 10th of the preceding month (if by post, prepaid), to the Rer. George Hill, Crumlin, County Antrim; and books, &c. for review, to 28, Rosemary Street, Belfast.

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