christian in spirit, and unchristian in expression. That which they ought separately to give up from allegiance to the Saviour, we, as a Union, must require them to renounce. We must relinquish it ourselves. But what we cannot truly allege to be contradictory to their character as Christians, we must be prepared to tolerate with the utmost frankness. We must be prepared to see the Christian character and spirit wherever they exist, and under whatever development or form, else a basis of union is impossible. Nay, faith itself, does not merely allow, it demands this. If ours is to be a basis cemented by faith, what is faith but to believe all that God has declared? There are times, indeed, when the announcement of our peculiar conviction must be made, and others when it is not called for. We may not make our Society the scene of debate, nor call our several peculiarities into our presence, because they are not the grounds of our Union. But on other occasions, and in other places, these questions may be properly agitated."

The Evangelical Alliance, then, was founded upon the no compromise principle, as so admirably expounded in the quotation we have just given. The designation "Alliance" intimates that the confederation consists of those who, in some respects, disagree; and, in reference to their differences, it has been distinctly declared, by an explicit resolution, that none are required to place any truth-or what they believe to be truth-in abeyance, or in any way to compromise any conviction of truth or duty. We very much regret, that, hitherto, not many of the members of the Wesleyan Association, have joined either of the confederations to which we have referred; we have, therefore, now brought their claims under the notice of our readers, and shall be glad to find, that many of them avail themselves of the opportunities which membership with the Anti-State-Church Association, and the Evangelical Alliance will afford them, of advancing the interests of truth and love.

From information formerly given, our readers are generally aware, that the Editor of this Magazine, at the commencement of the Evangelical Alliance had to endure, from certain persons, the manifestation of sectarian hostility in meetings of the Alliance; we therefore now feel it right to state, that, during the last twelve months, nothing of the kind has been manifested: on the contrary, even those, of whose conduct he formerly had occasion to complain, have conducted themselves towards him with much kindness and respect; and, without a dissentient vote, he has been appointed a member of the Executive Council, and of the Divisional and Sub-Divisional Committees. may be regarded as an evidence of the beneficial results which may be produced, in removing sectarian hostility, by bringing Christian brethren, of different denominations, to meet together for the cultivation and manifestation of Christian love.

This

the truth, thus unfettered, would, by its own native energy, more rapidly spread and gloriously prevail.

To cherish brotherly love among Christians, and to provide opportunities for its more extended manifestation, is the praiseworthy and hallowed object of the Evangelical Alliance. It cannot be denied or doubted, that there has been a most inconsistent and disgraceful want of brotherly regard among the ministers and members of different religious communities, professing to hold, in common with each other, the same all-important truths respecting Christ and his work of atonement, but differing as to some less important doctrines, or as to modes of church organization or government. This has long been a cause of reproach to Christians; has embittered their own spirits; has, no doubt, grieved the Holy Spirit, and impeded the conversion of the world. To counteract the schismatical and sectarian spirit, which, more or less, exists among all sections of the church, and, at the same time, not to endanger the interests of truth, by causing Christians to regard any portion of God's teaching as unimportant, but to enjoin that they should continue, in a proper manner, to hold and propagate whatever truth they regard as important to the interests of religion, must be, on many accounts highly desirable, and likely to lead to the most beneficial results.

We admit, that in the constitution and working of the Evangelical Alliance, some improvements are desirable; yet, we are also of opinion that no sufficient reason can be assigned, why those who are eligible for admission into its membership should refuse or neglect to become united therewith. We are aware, that some brethren, whom we highly esteem, are of opinion, that to become members of the Evangelical Alliance would neutralize their testimony, against what they regard as the errors of the communities to which those belong with whom, as members of the Alliance, they would have to fraternize. There does not, however, appear to us any force in this objection. Membership with the Alliance, does not imply latitudinarianism-nor the admission, that the points of difference subsisting between different sections of the church are unimportant-but only the admission of the truth, that those who believe in the Divinity, Incarnation, Atonement, and Mediation of Christ; the work of the Holy Ghost, in awakening, enlightening, and sanctifying those, who, by faith rely alone on God's mercy in Christ Jesus for salvation; and endeavour to regulate their conduct by God's law-are, notwithstanding, in some other things they see and judge diversely, children of God, brethren in Christ, and joint-heirs of eternal life. Those who admit that this is true, surely, are bound, by the most solemn obligations, to manifest their love to Christ, by manifesting their love to those who believe in him; by uniting with them, as far as practicable and convenient, in devotional exercises, and in reciprocating other acts of brotherly love.

The members of each Christian denomination, as such, bear their testimony to the importance which they attach to the truths specially recognised and held by the communion to which they belong. It is right that they should avail themselves of all proper opportunities and methods for making known every truth which they regard as important to the welfare of mankind. We, however, owe allegiance not only

to truth, but also to love. It is our duty to maintain truth, and also to cultivate and manifest love. Whatever we regard as true, may be stated and advocated so as to manifest, that we respect and love those Christian brethren from whom we differ. May we not also manifest, in many ways, our love to our brethren in Christ, who disagree with us as to some points of doctrine and church order, without in any degree withholding our testimony to any truth which we regard as important? If this can be done, then is it not imperative that this should be done? To us it appears, that the more uncompromisingly any person asserts his testimony in behalf of any doctrine, rule of church organization, or government, not received by some of his Christian brethren, the more he is required to manifest, that he is equally concerned to love, as to correct or instruct, those from whom he differs. Without in any degree restraining our proper testimony for any portion of what we regard as important truth, we may and ought to make allowances for human imperfection, as by various means occasioning errors of judgment, both in ourselves and in others. Remembering also, the words of the apostle Paul, "Now abideth faith, hope, love; but the greatest of these is love."

From the preceding remarks, it will be seen, that we think it desirable, that all those Christians who hold the doctrines constituting the basis of the Evangelical Alliance, should seek to become enrolled as members of the Branch Organization of the Alliance belonging to the district where they reside. We are also of opinion, that those who hold that State-Church establishments are injurious to the best interests of mankind, will do well to become members of the AntiState-Church Association; and we shall support our judgment on these points, by laying before our readers the following quotation from a recent number of the "Scottish Press."

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We recommend the Evangelical Alliance to Dissenting Christians. We have proved that they may join it without any compromise or concealment of any conscientious conviction. Now, that their dissenting consistency has been provided for, they are open to all the pleading of Christian charity in favour of the manifestation of the union of those who are already Christ Jesus." We will not do them the injustice to suppose that they are less alive to the evils of division and the benefits of union than the most forward and zealous in the Alliance movement. But they respect their own consistency! Well, but their consistency should not be one-sided. If they may not compromise or conceal the truth from a professed regard to love, they are not at liberty to compromise or conceal the love from a professed regard to truth? Do they say, "the wisdom that cometh from above is first pure ?" We answer, yes, but it is "then peaceable." Do they say, the King of Zion is first "King of righteousness?" We say, yes, "and after that also King of Salem, which is King of peace." The "Anti-State-Church Association" is just an "Alliance" for exhibiting and working out its appropriate object. And the Alliance is just an Association for exhibiting and carrying out its appropriate object. The object is good in both cases; and the binding together of the friends of the object, for its more successful accomplishment is good also.

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Let Dissenters consider what is due to their principles. They are accustomed to boast themselves a little, of the peculiar advantages of their position for the promotion of union. They rejoice in their liberty. Let them improve it, by running, with the greater alacrity, in the way of the new commandment. Dissenters owe this testimony to their brethren in

*

parties would speedily ensue ! What numbers of good men and good ministers of Jesus Christ would find relief in dissociation from those with whom they would never have been connected, but for the golden link of a common endowment ! And what intimate association would we soon find them forming with those from whom they could not have been so long removed, but for the wall of separation which their State alliance had interposed.

Let but this unhallowed bond be broken, and then, whatever the lamentations to which it may give rise, and from whatever quarters they may proceed, we, and those to whom we are now making our appeal, will have reason to sound a jubilee at the brightening prospects of the Evangelical Alliance!

The preceding quotation clearly states and forcibly urges, what to us appears to be, the duty of those Dissenters who hold the doctrines contained in the basis of the Evangelical Alliance. By joining both of these confederations they may serve the interests of truth and love. We have had the privilege of membership with both of them from the very commencement of their existence; and we have not found the duties arising out of these relations in any way to clash, but have found them perfectly compatible. We have already remarked, that there are some excellent Christian brethren who are members of the Anti-State-Church Association, who think it inconsistent for thorough Dissenters to join the Evangelical Alliance; but we have never heard or read any satisfactory reason for their holding such an opinion. We believe it is only founded upon mistaken apprehension. On the other hand, there are some members of the Evangelical Alliance, who think it somewhat inconsistent for any of its members to be members of the Anti-State-Church Association; but those who entertain this opinion greatly mistake the real design of the Alliance. It was never intended that the Alliance should consist only of those who would be willing to put an extinguisher on any of their cherished convictions, and who would thus become traitors to truth; but that all its members should be at full liberty to maintain those opinions concerning which they differed equally with those on which they were agreed. It being only required, that they should exercise this rightful freedom, without indulging in bitterness of spirit. We may confirm what we have just advanced, by quoting from a speech delivered by the Hon. and Rev. B. Noel, at the first meeting held in Liverpool, in the Autumn of 1845. When describing the degree of freedom, as to separate action, which it would be requisite to allow the members of the Alliance to possess, and after having expressed his concurrence with Dr. Wardlaw in the sentiment, " that no one must be required to sacrifice an iota of what he believed to be the truth," Mr. Noel expressed himself in the following manner

"If he (any member of the Alliance) believe, for instance, that he must attack establishments of religion, the one object of our duty in our union is to see, that he continues in our common faith; but at the same time we must tolerate that attack. We must announce it, and reiterate it constantly, that the basis of union for Christian men is, to allow each other full Christian liberty of profession and action, and to demand nothing from any in consequence of their union, but to renounce, what they ought separately to renounce, all that is un

christian in spirit, and unchristian in expression. That which they ought separately to give up from allegiance to the Saviour, we, as a Union, must require them to renounce. We must relinquish it ourselves. But what we cannot truly allege to be contradictory to their character as Christians, we must be prepared to tolerate with the utmost frankness. We must be prepared to see the Christian character and spirit wherever they exist, and under whatever development or form, else a basis of union is impossible. Nay, faith itself, does not merely allow, it demands this. If ours is to be a basis cemented by faith, what is faith but to believe all that God has declared? There are times, indeed, when the announcement of our peculiar conviction must be made, and others when it is not called for. We may not make our Society the scene of debate, nor call our several peculiarities into our presence, because they are not the grounds of our Union. But on other occasions, and in other places, these questions may be properly agitated."

The Evangelical Alliance, then, was founded upon the no compromise principle, as so admirably expounded in the quotation we have just given. The designation "Alliance" intimates that the confederation consists of those who, in some respects, disagree; and, in reference to their differences, it has been distinctly declared, by an explicit resolution, that none are required to place any truth-or what they believe to be truth-in abeyance, or in any way to compromise any conviction of truth or duty. We very much regret, that, hitherto, not many of the members of the Wesleyan Association, have joined either of the confederations to which we have referred; we have, therefore, now brought their claims under the notice of our readers, and shall be glad to find, that many of them avail themselves of the opportunities which membership with the Anti-State-Church Association, and the Evangelical Alliance will afford them, of advancing the interests of truth and love.

From information formerly given, our readers are generally aware, that the Editor of this Magazine, at the commencement of the Evangelical Alliance had to endure, from certain persons, the manifestation of sectarian hostility in meetings of the Alliance; we therefore now feel it right to state, that, during the last twelve months, nothing of the kind has been manifested: on the contrary, even those, of whose conduct he formerly had occasion to complain, have conducted themselves towards him with much kindness and respect; and, without a dissentient vote, he has been appointed a member of the Executive Council, and of the Divisional and Sub-Divisional Committees. This may be regarded as an evidence of the beneficial results which may be produced, in removing sectarian hostility, by bringing Christian brethren, of different denominations, to meet together for the cultivation and manifestation of Christian love.