Testament for us in their jots and in their tittles. God has preserved them ever since they cried out, 'His blood be upon us and on our children!' as a nation of mourners. And yet, as Balaam said, they have not been reckoned among the nations. They are a nation still, and I cannot think that all the prophecies have been fulfilled concerning them. I believe that God has a great work to do with His people, and I expect the fulness of the Gentiles will be gathered in with them. Let us still 'pray for the peace of Jerusalem. They shall prosper that love thee." FOREIGN REPRESENTATIVES. The Rev. E. G. Porter (Lexington, U.S.) said that, across the Atlantic, they regarded with increasing interest the work in which the Alliance was engaged. It was sometimes said, "You are multiplying organizations too rapidly," and he thought that they might part with many of them if they kept to the Evangelical Alliance. He had spent many months in the Levant, and under various forms of government, but he had always found that the principles embodied in the Alliance formed the basis of that better fellowship and union of Christians for which so many were looking. To some the purposes of this organization might seem a pretty sentiment; and others, too, might think them desirable, but quite unattainable in a world like ours. It should be their duty, however, to magnify the principles of the Alliance, because they did not fully know what a real source of strength and power they formed to those who at this hour were earnestly crying for light, for life and truth. In an interesting speech he glanced at the religious condition of the world at large, and concluded by saying that we are living in a time which will be marked in the future history of the Church, and this Alliance was contributing a most important element to that future history. The Rev. Dr. Bliss said: The question was often asked, Is there any good in Turkey? To this he could safely reply, There is one good thing there. We have a branch of the Evangelical Alliance there, and it is there as "a beloved little Benjamin" in the midst of the tribes. A great number of Christian members in Turkey were also members of the Alliance, and they always looked forward with holy pleasure to its annual meetings and to the Week of Prayer. Their meetings in Turkey at the beginning of the year were often times of gracious refreshing and of spiritual revivals. There were now a hundred Evangelical churches in Asia Minor. He himself had very strong faith that they should live to see the day when they would have a meeting of the Alliance even in Constantinople. Pastor Varnier (Sicily) said that fortysix years ago he had been led to Christ, but it was not until 1863, when he went to Messina, that he had the privilege of showing that the true Protestant was, after all, the real Catholic, and that Protestants formed one family. In Italy, more than anything else, he might say, they needed the spirit of Christ. They did not want mere nominal professors, but to have the real spirit of the Gospel at work. He cared very little indeed about the "scaffolding," so long as they had the building; for if there were living stones," there the Holy Spirit would assuredly find His temple. He gave an interesting sketch of the state of religion on the Continent, and concluded by saying that though a Sicilian, he was sure he might ask to have an interest in their prayers. Mr. McArthur, M.P., said he would only add that the information which they had received that day had been most gratifying to every one present. The work of the past year certainly gave great cause for thankfulness, and he was sure all would join in earnestly praying that the coming year might be marked by yet greater usefulness. The resolution having been seconded by Mr. J. Groom, was unanimously adopted. VOTE OF THANKS. The Rev. L. B. White (Religious Tract Society) moved a cordial vote of thanks to the Committee of the National Club for their kindness in granting them the use of their rooms on that occasion. He said the clubs of London were generally known by their imposing externals; but few, comparatively, had the privilege of becoming acquainted with their internal arrangements. The National Club was honourably distinguished not so much by its exterior, but by its cordial willingness to co-operate with those who combined for the spread of Evangelical truth. He had very great pleasure in moving a vote of thanks. The resolution was seconded by Mr. Donald Matheson; and it having been cordially carried, a member of the Club (Mr. T. R. Andrews) briefly acknowledged the compliment, adding that it was one of the principles of the Club to promote the spread of true Evangelical Protestantism. The Rev. Dr. Blackwood pronounced the Benediction, and the proceedings then terminated. PROCEEDINGS OF COUNCIL. A special meeting of Council was held on Thursday, November 21; Sir Harry Verney, Bart., in the chair. A portion of Scripture having been read, prayer was offered by the Rev. Robert John ston. NEW MEMBERS. The following persons were unanimously admitted to membership: Colonel Field, Blackheath. M. H. Hodder, Esq., Bromley Common. The following resolution of the Special Committee was received and adopted: "The Chairman reported that Dr. Stoughton's name had been omitted from the Council list for some years past, but that he had not wished to retire from the Council. It was resolved: That as it appears the name of Dr. Stoughton has been removed by inadvertence, and that he is willing to serve, the Council be recommended at next meeting to restore his name on the list." Dr. Stoughton's name was ordered to be included in the list of Council to be submitted to the Conference. The first meeting of the new Council was held on Thursday, December 5; Sir Harry Verney, Bart., in the chair. After reading the Scriptures, prayer was offered by the Rev. Dr. Manning. NEW MEMBERS. ANNUAL CONFERENCE. The Secretary reported that the Conversazione and Conference held at the National Club on the 28th ultimo had been well attended, and had been a most interesting meeting. Regret was expressed at the absence, through illness, of the Rev. William Arthur. It was resolved: "That the best thanks of the Council be presented to the Committee of the National Club for kindly granting the use of their drawing-room; and to the Revs. A. M. W. Christopher and Dr. Jobson, for their addresses." A letter was read from the Rev. D. Mullan, Secretary of the Irish Branch, suggesting that deputations should be sent to the Continent by the Council to aid struggling Evangelical churches by holding evangelistic meetings. The subject was deferred. It is with sincere regret the Council of the British Organization of the Alliance announce that, just as the important work in connection with the Salle Evangélique in Paris was drawing to its close, their esteemed Secretary, the Rev. James Davis, had a sudden and serious attack of illness. Having since felt it to be his duty to retire from office, the Council have now the whole question of the Secretariat under careful consideration; and, as the first step, have appointed, as one of their Secretaries, Mr. A. J. Arnold, who had been The following persons were unanimously for many years Assistant Secretary. admitted to membership: Mrs. Edward Wyld, London. Sir John Coode, London. DEATH OF THE REV. DR. COHEN STUART. Alexander Stuart Menteath, Esq., St. Jean sterdam: "I am sorry to have to communi de Luz. W. W. Rawes, Esq., Bath. NEW COUNCIL. The appointment of the new Council by the Conference held on November 28 was reported. cate to you the sad tidings of the death of our much-valued friend, the Rev. Dr. Cohen Stuart, of Utrecht. Great is the sorrow felt by many in this country on account of the loss of him, who was a bold and noble champion for the truth of God in this land, and one who has for a number of years been known as a warm-hearted friend and a zealous supporter of the Evangelical Alliance, of which he was the Secretary for The following annual appointments were Holland. . . . . Dr. Cohen Stuart was a man then made: It was resolved: "That the ordinary meetings of this Council be held on the second Thursday in each month, at 2 P.M." APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS. of extensive knowledge and experience, of John Finch, Esq., and Donald Matheson, noble gifts, of remarkable zeal, and of a Esq., joint Treasurers; the Revs. Dr. Black- truly catholic spirit. He was well known, wood, Dr. Steane, Dr. Fraser, William Arthur, even personally, to many in England, Scotand Dr. Stoughton, Honorary Secretaries. land, and Ireland, from the frequent visits he Mr. A. J. Arnold was appointed one of the paid to those countries, and from his presence, Secretaries. whenever he was able, at the Annual ConFinance and other committees were also ferences of the Evangelical Alliance, and at appointed. other religious gatherings." BATH BRANCH. The Rev. W. E. Littlewood followed. He spoke of the important work of Miss De Bröen and Dr. McColl, drawing attention to its catholicity, being supported by English, French, and Dutch Christians, and thus presenting an interesting illustration of the principles of the Evangelical Alliance. A breakfast in connection with the Bath | with touching and spiritual simplicity, of Branch of the Evangelical Alliance was held the evangelistic work carried on by herself on the 28th of November last, at the York and fellow-labourers among the Communists House Hotel. There was a good attendance in Paris. of members and friends. The chair was taken by Lieut.-Colonel E. Buckle, R.E., who, after prayer offered up by the Rev. H. Tarrant, briefly addressed the meeting. A paper was then read, consisting of extracts from an "Historical Sketch of the Origin and Operations of the Evangelical Alliance." This was supplemented by a brief sketch of It was the testimony of all who were the Bath Branch, from 1847 to the present privileged to be present at the meeting, that year. The drawing up of this paper would, a spirit of Christian unity and love prevailed, it was hoped, remove misapprehensions from that the true and essential fellowship of all the minds of some as to the position and believers in their one Lord and Saviour work of the Evangelical Alliance, and was realized, and that the benediction which quicken a more lively interest in all. It concluded the meeting found a response in has been found that there are friends, not every heart. The Committee of the Bath a few, who do sympathize with the cause Branch entertain a hope that the effort, so and yet are not enrolled as members, owing auspiciously begun, to revive an interest in, (there is reason to believe) to their not having and to enlist sympathy and support from, been personally invited. many, will be followed up; and they confidently expect a blessing from the lips of Him who said, "Love one another." The Rev. Prebendary Anderson introduced to the meeting Miss De Bröen, who spoke, SOUTH LONDON BRANCH. The usual monthly social meeting of the Committee and friends was held on Friday evening, December 12th, at the residence of Mrs. Bennett, Upper Tulse Hill. After tea and coffee had been served, the company assembled in the drawing-room, under the presidency of the Rev. Dr. Morley Punshon, who, on behalf of Mrs. Bennett, welcomed the friends present. Devotional exercises then followed; the Revs. Dr. Fisher, Luke Tyerman, and the Chairman taking part. The Rev. Dr. Punshon gave interesting particulars of the recent deputation from the Committee of the Evangelical Alliance in Naples to the King of Italy. He also referred to the presence on this occasion of honoured friends from the United States of America. Mr. A. J. Arnold then referred to the arrangements made for the Week of Prayer next January, and presented programme of meetings for the West-end of London, to be held in Langham Hall as usual. He also reported correspondence in regard to the case of the Rev. G. S. Ben-Oliel, lately imprisoned in Spain. The Rev. E. G. Porter, of Lexington, Mass., United States, said that his fellowcountrymen take an interest in the meetings of the Evangelical Alliance, and that he had heard of those in the South of London, to which some of his brethren had been invited. The Week of Prayer instituted by the Alliance opens avenues of Christian usefulness, and incalculable results have followed. In America they look forward to and prepare for it, and always feel it to be a time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. The subject upon which he desired to speak that night was Asia Minor. The attention of Christians in the United States had been called to it in the beginning of this century as a suitable field for missionary operations; and it was remarkable that the youngest and most remote nation should be the first to undertake to attempt the restoration of the oldest Christian Churches to the primitive faith. England was more connected with Asia Minor politically. This country, which lies between the two seas-the Mediterranean and the Black Sea-of which the Sultan, among his titles, claims the lordship, was one of the brightest jewels in the crown of the Roman Empire. It received a large share of the labours of St. Paul, as the Epistles to the Galatians, Ephesians, and Colossians testify; but now it is destitute of the ordinary appliances of civilization. There has been a day of preparation, however: 100 Evangelical churches, more and China. We may surely accept the openthan half of them self-supporting, have been ing of this door as the gift of God. The planted. At Marash there are four Protestant | Turks are longing for the time when they churches of over 500 members each; at can place their own sons with proper training Aintab, three of 600 each, with day-schools in the offices of the Government. There are and Sunday-schools. The Times' special already 800 students preparing in the Amecorrespondent speaks of Asia Minor as an rican colleges in the country. School books extremely promising country of the future: and books on philosophy are issued from the its flora, its mountains and plains, its press, and 8,000 religious newspapers are rivers the four great rivers of the ancient being read by the subscribers and passed on to world taking their rise there—and its irriga- many thousands of others. Turks are willing tion, would make it one of the best gardens to send their children to sit with those of in the world. It has Angora sheep and well- Christians, Armenians, and Jews in the same bred horses, grain, fruits, and minerals; schools. Taurus, Olympus, and Ararat are, but it wants capital and Government protec-aa it were, crying out to us, "Will you not tion. The Prime Minister of England has give us back what you aforetime received twice declared his object to be the regenera- from us?" tion of the country. A door was opened at the time of the Crimean War by the HattiHumayoun; this has been confirmed by the recent Anglo-Turkish Convention. The possession of Cyprus has rather given a place for planting the guns of civilization than those of war. The old and false-mouthed system of government is to be superseded, bribery forbidden, five years' tenure of office secured to pashas, and just government established. The iron rail through the country is projected, and will soon be subsidized and set to work, and a more rapid communication established between this country and India The Rev. Dr. Sawyer, of Irvington, on the Hudson, expressed the pleasure he felt at being present on this occasion. He rejoiced in the thought that Christians were one, whether they resided in England, or in Asia Minor, or in the United States of America. Visiting this country for the first time, he was delighted to find the social and the religious element combined in meetings such as the present. The Benediction was then pronounced by the Chairman, and the company adjourned for refreshments. THE KING OF ITALY AND THE EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE. NAPLES BRANCH. The following notes of an interview between the King of Italy and a deputation from the Evangelical Alliance, at Naples, to congratulate his Majesty on his escape from attempted assassination, are written by Pastor G. Pons, of Naples, and originally appeared, a few weeks since, in the Cristiano Evangelico: Yesterday I had the honour of being received by his Excellency General Medici, Chief Aide-de-Camp to his Majesty, to whom I committed two addresses; one for the King in the name of the Church, the other for the Prince of Naples in the name of the schools. Naples has not imitated the example of Florence with regard to private schools; the municipal schools alone defiled before the Hereditary Prince. General Medici asked me if I wished to read the addresses to his Majesty and to his Highness. I replied, "Your Excellency, I could not be in better hands than in your own, and in present circumstances I would not add to the fatigue of his Majesty." To-day, exactly at the time appointed, the members of the Committee of the Evangelical Alliance had the honour of being presented to his Majesty the King. The Rev. J. Peter, in his capacity of President, entered first and presented us all to the King, asking of him the favour of reading to him an address. The Rev. T. W. S. Jones, as Vice-President, had the paper in his hand which he was to read. On seeing this, his Majesty said, "It is understood that you express the sentiments of all; it is not necessary to read ;" and he put out his hand to take it. Our Vice-President, who probably had not heard the royal words, began to read, and the King listened to the end with great attention. After the address had been read, the King asked us to what Church we belonged. Each one answered for himself. His Majesty, on hearing certain names, exclaimed, "I don't understand what that means. What a number of different shades!" It was explained to his Majesty that as in his army there were various uniforms and many regiments, but [January 1, 1879. only one standard and one chief, so we were | (President), Mr. Ribetti, Mr. Conti, Mr. various denominations, but that we had one Lanna, Mr. Cocorda, Mr. Fasulo, and myself, Head, Jesus Christ-one truth, one only as pastors of the various Churches. As soon faith. The King then asked me who I was. as the deputation was admitted into the "I am a pastor of the Waldensian Church, reception hall, the King, in a most courteous your Majesty." "Now I know where we and kind manner, came to meet us, saying are," and he gave me a shake of the hand. that on a previous occasion he had had the "I had the pleasure of receiving a deputa- intention of receiving some of the Evantion of the Waldensian Church at Turin, gelical ministers of Rome, when they sent with Signor at its head." "Char- him a Bible, which he accepted with great bonnier, your Majesty." "Right-the Mo-pleasure; but that then that reception could derator Charbonnier." The King also asked how our Churches were maintained. M. Peter answered that in the universal Evangelical Church they helped one another for the advancement of the kingdom of God. He wished also to be informed as to the number of adherents in the various Churches, and heard with pleasure that there are also in Naples Evangelical schools. He concluded by expressing a wish for the prosperity of the work of all; and, as at the beginning, his Majesty again shook hands with us all. I shall never forget the truly warm grasp which I received from his august hands when I said to him, "Your Majesty, God bless and protect your person and your royal family." We could not have been received with greater courtesy and affability. "The King Umberto is a perfect gentleman," afterwards exclaimed one who comes from the country of the "gentleman." 66 "Yes, he is charmant. I defy any one to find a President of a republic who would be so courteous and affectionate as the King of Italy," added the Swiss pastor. The audience which the King dei gned to grant us, and the manner in which he received us, produced on all the best impression, and none of us will quickly forget the quarter of an hour which we passed in the presence of him for whom we constantly pray. ROMAN BRANCH. The following report of the interview of the deputation from the Roman Branch of the Alliance with the King of Italy, is supplied by Signor Sciarelli: "On the morning of December 4th, the King received at the Quirinal the following members of our branch: Mr. T. H. Bruce not take place, because a letter addressed to the honourable Mazzarella did not arrive in time. After having shaken hands with each of us, his Majesty wanted to be informed of the various Churches which were represented. Hearing the names of the different denominations, he said, Yes, ... there are many different names 'Yes, Sire,' it was respectfully, but opportunely, answered, but the same spirit, the same faith.' Then the King asked more particularly about the work of every minister, inquiring if the meetings were well attended, and what was the number of the members of every Church. After having heard the answers, he wanted to know if the members of the deputation were Italians, and if there were many Italian ministers. With the exception of Mr. Bruce, all the members of the deputation were Italians, and they could affirm that the Evangelical Church in our country, whatever be the denomination, has Italian ministers, has an Italian form, is altogether an Italian work. His Majesty asked afterwards for some information about the schools, and having heard with a visible interest, went on, 'But how can you manage to obtain the money which is necessary?' 'Sire,' it was answered, 'all depends on the charity of our friends.' "The address, which had been elegantly copied, was en presented to the King. His Majesty accepted it with great pleasure; and to the words of the President and of the other members of the deputation, who all expressed their devotion and affection, he answered with thanks, again shaking hands with every one, and saluting them with love. None of the members of that Commission will ever forget those thanks and that pressure of hands." |