The Evangelical Alliance and the Great Exhibition.

New Zealander, Volume 7, Issue 569, 27 September 1851, Page 2

The Evangelical Alliance and the Great Exhibition.

The following interesting Circular, which has been issued by the Council of the British Organization of the Evangelical Alliance, has been received by the Committee of the Branch which, as many of our readers are aware, has recently been formed in this town, and is steadily pursuing its object of bringing into closer and more visible union the ministers and members of the several Protestant denominations.

EVANGELICAL' ALLIANCE. BRITISH ORGANISATION. To the Committee of the New Zealand Organization of the Evangelical Alliance. 7, Adam Street, Adelphi, Strand, London, January, ±85i. Beloved and Honoured Bretiirln, The Council and members generally of the British Organisation have had it deeply impressed apon their minds, that the Exhibition of Works of Art and Industry proposed to be held in London this year, will, in the providence of God, afford such opportunities for intercourse and communication betwen Christians of different communions and from various countries, as ought not be allowed to pass by unimpioved. Accordingly, while the Council do not intend to assume the responsibility of any measures which are not directly authorised by themselves, and rejoice that an independent Committee has been formed, with the view of rendering the presence of the many strangers who may be expected to visit our metropolis subservient, by arrangements of which you will be duly apprised, to the purpose of advancing the Kingdom of Christ, — they were instructed by the Conference, which met at Liverpool in October last, to appoint the next Annual Conference to be held in London, during the period of the Great Exhibition ; and, further, to consider what plan could be adopted for promoting, amongst the foreign Christians then assembled, and especially in connexion with the Conference, tho objects for which the Evangelical Alliance exists. Pursuant to these instructions, a numerously attended Meeting of the Council was convened at Torquay, on the 19th of November, their sittings being continued by adjournment until the afternoon of Thursday, the 21st. In proceeding to consider the several topics demanding their attention, the Council felt that the first thing necessary to be determined was, the question of admission to the various meetings of the Conference in reference to which they unanimously resolved : — " 1. That a8 there is reason to expect, among the foreigners who will visit London next year, many who are members of the Evangelical Alliance, or members of the Foreign Organizations of the Evangelical Alliance, the Council are of opinion that such brethren, on presenting their credentials, should be cordially welcomed as victors to the meetings of the British Organization. " That as one important object contemplated, in holding the next Annual Conference in London, is the diffusion of the principles of tbe Evangelical Alliance among foreign Chiistians who are expected to be there, the Council recommend that they be admitted to the meetings, or to such of them as may be hereafter specified, as visitors, on their presenting proper testimonials. " 3. That a Committee of Conference sit contemporaneously with the Conference itself, for the purpose of receiving and examining the credentials or testimonials of foreign brethren, and giving them tickets of admission to the meetings, agreeably with these resolutions. "4. That while there is an important difference between the admission of persons as members of the British Organisation, and their admission simply as visitors, and we, there oie,do not consider the resolution adopted at Manchester, in 1846, in regard to the non admission of slaveholders to the British Organisation, as positively deciding questions in regard to visitors; and while there is a difficulty of principle in admitting as visitors professing Christians, some of whose views and practices, we may strongly disapprove of, and yet excluding other professing Christians because we consider them, in certain matters, to be faulty, yet the slavery of America presents special features which warrant and demand a distinctive resolution on the subject. If the intercourse which might be held with slaveholders from America should assume such an amicable aspect as to bear the interpretation that we look with a qualified indignation on American slavery, and more particularly on the Fugitive Slave Bill which has reoently come into force, the responsibility which would thus be entailed would be very dreadful, and such as we ought not to incur; and, on the other hand, any attempt to deal faithfully on this matter with American slaveholders would, too probably, terminate in angry and mischievous collision : Resolved, therefore, that slaveholders shall not be admissible as visitors to the proposed Conference." It was then agreed that, as the month of August appears to be the most convenient time for holding the Conference, the Council meet (D.V.) on Tuesday, the 19th of that month, being the anniversary of the Conference of 1846, at which the Evangelical Alliance was formed, and that the Conference open on Wednesday, the 20th. That on the Wednesday morning, the "Annual Addiess," adapted tothe occasion, be delivered, the " Practical Resolutions" read and enforced, and the Annual Repoit of the British Organisation presented; and on the Wednesday evening, a meeting be held for the mutual introduction of brethren. ThatThuisday morning, the 21st, be devoted to a free and fraternal conversation on the subject of Christian union ; and on Thursday evening, the Committees of Foreign Organisations, having been pieviously invited to furnish the Council with reports of the state of the Alliance cause in their respective countries, such reports to be read, and each of them followed by a free and general conversation. That at the sitting ou the iollowing morning, Friday, tbo 22nd, this leading: of

foreign reports, and intercommunication on the topics suggested by them, be resumed and continued ; and in the evening a public meeting be held, at which foieign brethren chiefly shall be engaged. — That Monday, the 26th, bo given to the consideration of the subji-ct of Infidelity, it being an instruction to the Committee of Council to secme the preparation of a paper to be read, on Continential Infidelity, by some foreign brother, and also one on the aspects of the same evil in our own countiy. — That Tuesday, the 25th, be occupied with the subject of Popery ; and that, in reference to that subject, two papers be also prepared, one on the state ot the Papacy in Continental Europe, by some Continental writer, and anorher on the aggressions of the Papacy in the British empir*. — That Wednesday, the 27th, be devoted to the subject of Sabbath desecration, some brother in Germany to be solicited to prepare a paper on the Sabbsth question, as at present affecting that country, and another paper to be prepared on the same topic in Us relation to this kingdom. —That on the morning of Thursday, the 28th a public meeting be held; and in the evening a general conversation. — That on Friday morning, a public breakfast be held after which Religious Liberty, and more particularly the circumstances, of British subjects abroad, in relation to» it, be brought under consideration; and that the evening; be given to a concluding and parting meeting, strictly devotional. It has since been proposed, and the proposal will no doubt be carried into effect, that a course of Lectures, extending over the summer months, should be delivere<L in London, by leading Ministers and others ; — the firxtTf part of the course to be expository of the articles of our Basis; and the second, directed against the errors and evils to which we profess to be unitedly opposed, such as Infidelity and Rationalism, Popery and Tractarianism, Slavery and the Slave-trade, and Sabbath desecration. We have great pleasure, dear brethren, in communicating to you these particulars of information, and indulge a confident hope that " if the Lord will," weshall enjoy the happiness of again receiving amongst us not a few of those with whom in times past we have " taken sweet counsel," as well as of welcoming many whom as yet we hare not " known in the flesh ;" and that thus the union actually existing among the true followers of the " one Lord," will not only be mamfested, but, by our enlarged acquainance with eachother, the extension and increase of that union be promoted, and, as a blessed consequence, the fruits fitted to be produced by the members of the Christian family throughout the world obeying the command of their common Master, to " love one another," be made to " abound more and more." Permit us to request, very earnestly, that you will have the kindness to make known the contents of thisletter, not only to the members of your Section of the Evangelical Alliance, but as extensively as possible among all classes of the children of God, by publication ; in your religious journals, and such other means as you may be able to devise ; and also, that you will endeavour, as far as practicable, to let each one purposing to attend our meetings, come to us suitably attested as a member of the Alliance, or of your Organisation in ! connexion with it, or, if neither of these, yet, ts evaU^' i gelical in doctrine, »nd of Christian character. | It would greatly assist us in perfecting our plans, and applying for hospitality, which we are anxious to provide to the utmost extent of our ability, could we obtain from you, early in the month of July, some general idea of the parties who may be expected to visit us. Will you further permit us to solicit your special attention to our proposed arrangement for the evening of Thursday, the 21st of August, and the forenoon of the following day, and to bespeak your concurrence in it ; and, in proof of such concurrence, will you kindly undertake to forward to us, some few weeks beforehand, in order that, if not written in our own language, we may secure a proper translation, a Report of the state of | the Alliance cause in your country, reviewing its histo- | ry, specifying impediments in the way of its progress, detailing benefits whico have resulted from the movement, noticing present circumstances favorable to it r and showing vrhat are its prospects. It is unnecessary for us to trespass longer upon you, xcept to intreat that you will unite witb as in fervent nd continual prayer, that the occasion to which we are ooking forward may be eminently preceded, attended, nd followed by the Divine blessing, and prove, in these imes of deep and stirring interest, and in view of the great conflict between the powers of light and of darkness, upon which we seem to have entered, a means of banding more closely together,' in faith, in hope, and in love, whether for action or for endurance, all who belong to the one Church of the living God. Commending you affectionately to the care and graceof our Redeemer ; and trusting that we may receive from you an early and a favorable reply, addressed to the Official Secretary, No. 7, Adam Street, Adelphi, London, We are, beloved and honored brethren, Yours evt'r faithfully, in Christian and Alliance bonds, C. E. EARDLEY, President. THOMAS FARMER, TutAsunEß. T. R. BIRKS, M.A., -* JABEZ BUNTING, D.D., f Honorary DAVID KING,. D.D., ( Secretaries. EDWARD STEANE, D.D., 1 J. P. DOBSON, Official Secreiar*. Although we do not feel called upon to comment on this address generally, there is one section of it which we cannot refrain from noticing with the liveliest gratification. We allude to that in which it .is declared that American slaveholders, whatever may he their professions or credentials, will not be admitted even as visitors to the Conference of ihe Organization. One of the most hideous characteristics of American slavery is, that it not only has the sanction of numbers calling themselves religious men, but that even .some of the Churches in the South actually hold, hire out, and "transfer" slaves for the benefit of the respective Churchfunds. Those who know the history of the Evangelical Alliance need not be informed that one of the earliest and severest struggles connected with its establishment might be traced directly to circumstances arising out of this revolting state of things in America. Now, — while humanity protests against the abomination of slavery everywhere, and while the spirit of true liberty looks with mingled con-J ( tempt and loathing on the political hypocrisy of a nation which offensively vaunts of its preeminent freedom, while it legalizes and cherishes a claim to property in the blood, sinews, and bones of human beings,— Christianity especially anathematizes this evil, and Christian men do indeed incur a " very dreadful responsibility" when they do anything, or leave any thing undone, so as to leave room for the suspicion that they look upon it with " a qualified indignation." The recent Fugitive Slave Law (which authorizes the seizure, even in the Free States,oi persons who have escaped from bondage, and who therefore are treated as robbers, because they have stolen — themselves,)-— adds a new feature of atrocity to the system. We have seen noticed, in one of the accounts of the Census taken in England on the 30th of last March, as " a startling entry, perhaps more extraordinary than any in the new return of the population," the record at Leeds of the names of two individuals who were designated in the Census paper as " Fugitivtsfrom Slavery in America, the land of their nativity." Yes — from that same boastful Union, the " free and enlightened citizens" of which r eceive with open arms a fugitive convict like T. B. McManus, and/<rfe him amidst insulting bravados about what they audaciously called the

u tyranny of England." Although it is rather a digression, we need not apologize for introducing here the following particulars respecting these fugitives, which we copy from the Illustrated London News of April 19. " The particulars of the escape of these fugitives from slavery are of the most romantic character. William and Elen Craft were reared in Georgia under dif feront masters; but, living near each other, eventually became man and wife. William is a black man, but his wife Ellen is nearly white. Whenever they met after their marriage, they contiived and discussed plans of escape; and in 184S this was accomplished: the wife with her hair cut off, and wearing; green spectacles, disguised herself as a young man, and her husband as her slave or servant. They first travelled to Savannah and then took the steamboat to Charleston, Carolina. After escaping many dangers of betrayal, and having now expended their savings in obtaining their liberty, they settled in Boston, William to work at his trade of cabinet-making, and Ellen to work with her needle. In this way they maintained themselves, learned to read and write at evening schools, until the Fugitive Slave-law came into operation, and on the ye°j first evening they attended the school the warrant was issued for their apprehension and the slave-catchers were abroad inßoston. The excitement and agitation of the three or four days' hunt in Boston were extreme ; but William and Ellen ultimately succeeded in getting on board a British vessel, while the kidnappers were at New York. The fugitives arrived about four months since in Liverpool, where, for the first time, they set foot on really free soil. They are very interesting- and intelligent young persons. Ellen is about twenty-four years ] 9/ age and as fair as most of her British sisters. William* is very dark, but of a very reflective, intelligent countenance." While we are on this subject, we may quote another evidence that a large portion of the religious and humane public of England — however hospitably and kindly they were disposed to receive visitors from America, — yet were determined to bear a faithful testimony against this foul stain on the banner of the " stars and stripes." It is found in a Resolution adopted at a Special Meeting of the Committee of the British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society, held in London on the 21st of April : — " That this Committee, in view of the comparatively large influx of American citizens into this country, of various religiouß denominations, feel it to be their solemn duty to call upon every section of the Christian Church in the United Kingdom, to discriminate, in acts of Christian fellowship, either in respect of Church communion, occupation of pulpits, or other intercourse, between those who are directly implicated in the system of American Slavery, which mercilessly consigns upwards ot' three millions of human beings to hopeless degradation and misery, or who, by their guilty silence or apologies indirectly sustain it, and those faithful brethren who, in the spirit of the Gospel, are earnestly labouring to remove from the Churches and from their country the guilt and reproach of this atrocious iniquity. And further, this Committee would respectfully but urgently recommend to BritUh Christians to unite in a solemn protest against American Slavery; and to press upon American visitors as they have opportunity, the obligation of promoting by all means in their power, its immediate and complete abolition." The Circular from the Council of the Evangelical Alliance which has led us into these remarks, has claims upon the attention of the classes to ' whom it is immediately addressed which it scarcely comes within our province to dwell upon. We shall be excused for having taken occasion from one of its paragraphs to say a few words upon a topic, which is sure to command the approbation and sympathy of the real lovers of liberty and friends of humanity everywhere.

Death of Robert Lynd, Esq. — It is with sincere regret that we announce the death of this estimable gentleman, which took place on Wednesday evening last, after a protracted illness issuing in an incurable affection of the lungs, which did not, however, involve •great physical suffering, or in any degree cloud his mental powers, which to the last retained their characteristic clearness and intellectual force, as his kindly heait retained its ability to appreciate the attentions of the numerous sympathising friends who esteemed it a privilege to soothe, as they could, his declining days. Mr. Lynd was a native of Plymouth. He entered the army in the year 1816, as Ensign in the 65th Regiment, in which corps he served on the expedition to the Persian Gulf, — including the capture of the Forts of Rasal-el-Khyma and Zaya in 1819, — and the expedition to Arabia in 1821, including the action at Beni-800-Ali. In 1823, Mr. Lynd (then Lieutenant) was placed on the half-pay list. He was suhsequently appointed Barrack-master at Dominica, and after his service there was appointed to the same office in Hobart Town, then in Sydney, •and finally in Auckland, where he has been stationed since 1847. He was a man of more than ordinal y scientific attainments, and, in the surrounding colonies as well as here, the students of Natural History will especially ffel that in his death Australian science has sustained no inconsiderable loss. He was the intimate friend of the enterprising traveller Dr Leichikrot, and it was on the occasion of the first supposed loss of that devoted explorer, some years since, (1845) that Mr- Lynd composed the exquisitely touching stanzas which have been frequently re-printed buth in these colonies and in Europe, and of which we published a revised copy in the New Zealander some fifteen months since. We have reason to believe that other poetical compositions have proceeded from the same pen, little, if at all, less likely to command admiration, had they been as generally circulated. While many knew Mr. Lynd as a man of extensive acquirements, comparatively few knew the active and practical henevolence of his disposition ;—; — perhaps none were acquainted with the full extent of his charities, for there was no ostentation about them, and some particular illustrations of his disinterested humanity, which as >ye write occur to our memory, only came to our knowledge by accident, — warranting the conclusion that he was one of those who " do good by stealth." In him the necessitous have lost a benefactor ; science has lost a loving and reverent son ; and his more immediate circle of friends and acquaintances has been deprived of a member whose accomplished mind, courteous manners, winning amiability and kindly emotions will not soon he forgotten.

Coroner's Ixquest. — On Wednesday last an Inquest \va<! held at the Caledonian Hotel, befote Dr. Davies, Coroner, to inquiie into the cause of the death of Denis McCarthy, late of Queen-street, Butcher. Several witnesses weie examined. It appeared from the evidence of David Siiceuan, proprietor of the Crown and Anchor Tavern in West Queen-street, that deceased had been di inking to excess for eight or nine days ; that on Saturday he expiessed a wish to him (Sheeiian) to leave the town that

he miyht get away from the drink ; and that he left for the Noith Sboie on the afternoon of that day, taking two bottles of spirits with him. .. .Patrick Downs and John Gladiull stated that deceased came to their sawing sta'ion on Satuiday night, in a delirious state, in which he continued thioughout Sunday and Sunday night ; on Tuesday morning he exptessed a deshe to he taken to the opposite shore, that he might walk to Auckland to be with his family. They agreed that afternoon to procure a boat and bring him to town. They applied for one at Blake's place, but could not procure it until the tide had gone down too far to float a boat, and they were obliged to wait until next morning. They started early, and had pioceeded but a short distance when McCarthy urged them to land him on the other shore. Not wishing to leave him in that state, they determined to bring him to town. He then leaped overboaid in shallow water, and attempted to swim to the shore. They backed water and dragged him back into the boat. He had not been two minutes in the water. They touched at Hellyers Creek, and afterwards called at Fitzf a 1 kick's station, where for the first time they peiceived that life was nearly gone. They took him into the house, (which was about fifty yards fiom the boat) rolled him in blankets, and placed him before the file, but all their efforts to restore him proved fruitless. Downs came to town and reported his death. . . .Dr. Mathews had examined the body, and heard the evidence of the other witnesses. In his opinion, apoplexy was the immediate cause of death ; the exciting cause having been immersion in cold water while deceased was labouring under delirium t) emens. After about an hour's deliberation, the Jury gave as their verdict — " Died from Natural Causes.' 1