step towards the increase of Christian union, it is acknowledged as a duty incumbent on all its members carefully to abstain from pronouncing any uncharitable judgment upon those who do not feel themselves in a condition to give it their sanction.

7. That the members of this Alliance earnestly and affectionately recommend to each other in their own conduct, and particularly in their own use of the press, carefully to abstain from, and to put away all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil-speaking, with all malice; and in all things in which they may yet differ from each other, to be kind, tender-hearted, forbearing one another in love, forgiving one another, even as God, for Christ's sake, hath forgiven them; in everything seeking to be followers of God, as dear children, and to walk in love, as Christ also has loved them.

8. That, in subserviency to the same great object, the Alliance will endeavour to exert a beneficial influence on the advancement of evangelical Protestantism, and on the counteraction of infidelity, of Romanism, and of such other forms of superstition, error, and profaneness as are most prominently opposed to it, especially the desecration of the Lord's day; it being understood that the different branches of the Alliance be left to adopt such methods of prosecuting these great ends, as may to them appear most in accordance with their respective circumstances, all at the same time pursuing them in the spirit of tender compassion and love.

In pro

moting these and similar objects, the Alliance contemplates chiefly the stimulating of Christians to such efforts as the exigences of the case may demand, by publishing its views in regard to them, rather than accomplishing these views by any general organization of its own. That Reports, Minutes, and other documents in promotion of the above objects, be published by the Alliance at the time of its meetings, or by its order afterwards; and that similar documents may be issued from time to time by its various branches, on their own responsibility.

9. That, as the Christian union which this Alliance desires to promote can only be obtained through the blessed energy of the Holy Spirit, it be recommended to the members present, and absent brethren, to make this matter the subject of simultaneous weekly petition at the throne of grace, in their closets and families; and the forenoon of Mon

day is suggested as the time for that purpose. And that it be farther recommended that the week beginning with the Lord's day in January each year, be observed by the members and friends of the Alliance throughout the world as a season for concert in prayer on behalf of the great objects contemplated by the Alliance.

10. That, in seeking the correction of what the members of this Alliance believe to be wrong in others, they de sire, in humble dependence on the grace of God, themselves to obey, and by their practice and influence to impress upon others, the command of Christ, to consider first the beam that is in their own eye: that they will therefore strive to promote, each in his own communion, a spirit of repentance and humiliation for its peculiar sins; and to exercise a double measure of forbearance in reproving, where reproof is needful, the faults of those Christian brethren who belong to other bodies than their own.

11. That, when required by conscience to assert or defend any views or principles wherein they differ from Christian brethren who agree with them in vital truths, the members of this Alliance will aim earnestly, by the help of the Holy Spirit, to avoid all rash or groundless insinuations, personal imputations, or irritating allusions, and to maintain the meekness and gentleness of Christ, by speaking the truth only in love.

12. That, while they believe it highly desirable that Christians of different bodies, holding the Head, should own each other as brethren by some such means as the Evangelical Alliance affords, the members of the Alliance disclaim the thought, that those only who openly join this Society are sincere friends to the cause of Christian union; that, on the contrary, they regard all those as its true friends who solemnly purpose in their hearts, and fulfil that purpose in their practice, to be more watchful in future against occasions of strife, more tender and charitable towards Christians from whom they differ, and more constant in prayer for the union of all the true disciples of Christ.

13. That the members of this Alliance, therefore, would invite, humbly and earnestly, all Ministers of the Gospel, all conductors of religious publications, and others who have influence in various bodies of Christians, to watch more than ever against sins of the heart, or the tongue, or the pen, towards Christians of other denominations; and to promote more zealously than hitherto a

spirit of peace, unity, and godly love among all true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.

14. That, since all the disciples of Christ are commanded by the Holy Spirit to add to brotherly kindness love, and are bound to pray that all who profess and call themselves Christians should be led into the way of truth, it is earnestly recommended to the members of the Evangelical Alliance to offer special prayer for all merely nominal Christians, as well as for Jews and Gentiles, throughout the world.

15. That this Conference, earnestly longing for the universal spread of Christ's kingdom, devoutly praises God for the grace whereby, in late years, evangelical Christians have been moved to manifold efforts to make the Saviour known to both Jew and Gentile, and faithful men have been raised up to undertake the toil: they would offer to all evangelical Missionaries their most fraternal congratulations and sympathy; would hail the flocks they have been honoured to gather as welcome and beloved members of the household of God; and, above all, would implore the Head of the church to shield his servants, to edify his rising churches, and, by outpourings of his Holy Spirit, to enlighten Israel with the knowledge of the true Messiah, and to bring the Heathen out of darkness into light. They would also record their confident hope, that their beloved Missionary brethren will strive more and more to manifest, before the Israelite and other classes who know not the Redeemer, that union in their blessed Lord, the spirit of which, this Conference would gratefully acknowledge, they have generally cherished.

16. The Resolutions finally adopted, in relation to the general organization of the Alliance, are as follows:—

(1.) That whereas brethren from the continents of Europe and America, as well as in this country, are unable, without consultation with their countrymen, to settle all the arrangements for their respective countries, it is expedient to defer the final and complete arrangement of the details of the Evangelical Alliance, of which the foundation has now been laid, till another general Conference.

(2.) That the Alliance consist of all such members of this Conference, and members and corresponding members of the divisions of the Provisional Committee, as shall adhere to the principles and objects of the Alliance. Persons may be admitted to membership of the

Alliance by consent of all the district organizations, or by a vote of a general Conference; and to membership of any district organization, by such mode as each district organization may determine.

(3.) That the members of the Alliance be recommended to form district organizations in such manner as shall be most in accordance with the peculiar circumstances of each district. Provided, however, first, that neither the Alliance, nor the respective district organizations, shall be held responsible for the proceedings of any district organization; secondly, that no member of any district organization shall, as such, be a member of the Alliance; and, thirdly, that whenever a district organization shall be formed, the members of the Alliance within that district shall act collectively in its formation. That, in furtherance of the above plan, it be recommended, for the present, that a district organization be formed in each of the following districts; namely,

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

The United States of America. France, Belgium, and French Switzerland.

The North of Germany.

The South of Germany, and German Switzerland.

British North America.

The West Indies.

And that additional district organizations be from time to time recognised as such by the concurrence of any three previously-existing branches.

(4.) That an official correspondence be maintained between the several district organizations, and that reports of their proceedings be interchanged, with a view to co-operation and encouragement in their common object.

(5.) That a general Conference be held at such time and place, and consist of such members of the Alliance, as, by correspondence between the district organizations, and under the guidance of divine Providence, shall hereafter be determined by their unanimous concurrence. Provided, first, that any member of the Alliance who was entitled to attend this Conference, and shall retain his membership, shall be entitled to attend the next also; and, secondly, that all questions relating to the convening of it shall be determined by such members only of the district organizations as shall also be members of the Alliance. A Conference of any two or more of the district organizations may be held by mutual agreement.

movement which is now going forward in Germany. In the new German Catholic Church there are these two parties: there are some who are nothing else but Rationalists, and among them I fear we must reckon the most prominent man of the movement. These persons have made, in a Council at Leipsic, in Saxony, a Confession of faith: they will not have the old Confession, not even the Apostles' Creed. But they have made a very short mutilated Confession, where they say only of Jesus, that he is the Son of God. Now, that is not enough in Germany, where the Rationalists say, 'Jesus is one Son of God, it is true; but we, we are all, also, the sons of God.' I cannot say, that the Lord will not bring these new Catholics to a better state; but, at present, their Confession is not a true Christian one. But there is another party of German Catholics, at the head of whom is Mr. Czerski, who have declared that they will hold to the essential doctrines of Christianity, and have made a protest against the poor Confession of Faith of the Council of Leipsic."

This was spoken in July, 1845. Let us now refer to the Circular Letter issued by Czerski in March last, and published in the Continental Echo. We may premise that Czerski put forth this Circular in consequence of the assertion of his enemies, that he had apostatized from the truth as it is in Jesus. He says:

"God is our witness that we have not diverged a single step from our faith and our confession; but that we are still, to the fullest extent, your Christian brethren in the apostolic communion, the partners of your faith, and the sharers of your confession. No! The world has neither gold nor cross sufficiently heavy to lead us astray, or tempt us to lay another foundation, or to build on another corner-stone than that which is laid, even Jesus Christ, the only-begotton Son of God; for other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.' (1 Cor. iii. 11.)......... We have been termed servile, because we have submitted our spirits to Christ; because we could not bring ourselves to pass over any of his revealed doctrines in silence; because we paid due honour to the universal Christian symbol, as being essentially one with our own belief."

Again, speaking of the grounds on which those charges were made, he says:

"Neither in Rawicz nor in Leipsic did I unite with those who rejected the

VOL. II.-FOURTH SERIES.

full and entire apostolic symbol, in aught else than in resolving, in the exercise of Christian charity, to stand by and with each other against the encroachments of Rome, and in opposing, with united effort, all human traditions. Any adhesion to other articles of the Leipsic faith could never be thought of; as we had already come forward with our Confession of Faith, (which is the Christian confession,) declaring before all the world our resolution, by the grace of God, never to depart from it."

What becomes of the first part of this accusation, put forth so prematurely on the eve of Czerski's arrival? Should our readers wish for further evidence on this point, we confidently refer them to the many documents bearing Czerski's signature, which have from time to time appeared in our pages, and lastly to his letter to Mr. Herschell, which we subjoin.

As to his refusal to withdraw from the body of the German Catholics, we think our last extract places that charge on its right footing; and we need not stop to inquire how it happens that, in England, men, evangelical and anti-evangelical, may unite in useful, benevolent, and, in some cases, Christian objects, with impunity, while a convert from the Romish Church, just emerging from its thickest darkness, is to be branded as a heretic for not practising a more rigid system of social intercourse.

Next as to Czerski's "refusing..... to unite himself with a purer church." Is it, indeed, true that Czerski's repudiation of vital doctrinal error could not be reckoned valid unless accompanied by the adoption of a particular form of church government? Having become united to Christ by living faith, was he not to choose for himself in all minor matters ? Was he to violate his conscience, and become again a slave ? Accusers of Czerski, on such grounds, listen to the Master! "And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbade him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us."

And now as to our having exaggerated the importance of the movement. In the middle of last year, a document issued from the Cabinet of the King of Prussia, in which is the following sentence:- "The movement now agitating the bosom of the Roman Catholic Church appeals justly to the public interest, and claims the most serious 4 A

attention, and the most prudent measures, on the part of Government."

Again: Austria has enacted penal statutes against the German Catholics; Hanover, Saxony, and other States have officially recognised the importance of the movement; and are we now to be told that we have exaggerated it? If a connected chain of deceivers have scattered themselves over all Germany, and have combined to print, to publish, to organize churches and appoint Ministers, to promulgate false official returns, and draw up false maps, then we have exaggerated the movement. But this is a matter of statistics, of which we may say more hereafter.

Undoubtedly there is in the movement much of man; but we think we can therein trace above human instrumentality the finger of God; the providential dealings of Him whose thoughts are not as our thoughts, but who worketh all things according to the counsel of his will. We believe that it is one of those events which will hereafter be prominently seen in its appropriate place in this world's history, and will be marked as an epoch in the struggle between Christ and antichrist. But, here again,

we are content to be in error with the historian of the Reformation, who said, when in England, "We have come to a new era. There is now commencing a new Reformation, the Reformation of the nineteenth century. We have seen in the last year, and, indeed, within the last month, events such as have not taken place for centuries."

Since the above remarks were written, a most searching investigation has taken place on the subject at the house of Sir Culling Eardley Smith, Bart., and in the presence of several Ministers and gentlemen: the Rev. E. Bickersteth, at the conclusion, addressed Czerski in an affectionate and touching manner, stating, that, though, on one occasion, there appeared to have been some indecision and vacillation in his manner of dealing with Rongé, yet that he had distinctly asserted, in trying circumstances, his cordial belief in the doctrine of the Trinity. The charges against him appeared greatly relieved and cleared up by the investigation, and it was heartily trusted that his visit to this country would be much blessed to his increase of knowledge and greater stability, and, consequently, to his wider usefulness among his countrymen.

The charges against Czerski's moral character have been most satisfactorily disproved. The Rev. M. Bonnet, of

Frankfort-on-the-Maine, stated at the investigation, that he had always found Czerski bear a decided testimony against infidelity and Popery, by distinctly confessing his faith in the divinity of Christ, &c.; and M. Bonnet stated, moreover, that Dr. Pinkerton visited Schneidemühl, and found a number of truly converted persons who were studying the Scriptures, and who were ready to give up their lives for Czerski.

An interesting meeting was held on the 26th inst., at Connaught-place, in the house of Captain Trotter, of Dyrham-Park, for the purpose of giving Czerski the right hand of fellowship, and of offering up earnest prayer on his behalf. It was attended by about seventy persons.

At the time we write, another meeting has been announced to greet the Reformer of Schneidemühl, and afford him an opportunity of giving an account of the present state of the Reform movement in Germany.

An instructive moral might be drawn from the circumstances connected with Czerski's reception in London. This we shall not attempt, lest we should wound the heart of any brother, however erring, at a season consecrated to the harmony of fraternal intercourse, and the charities of Christian love.

Before concluding this article, we would offer two practical suggestions. 1. We understand Czerski is anxious to take back with him a printing-press. A printing-press devoted to Christian purposes in benighted Schneidemühl! Need we ask if this wish will be gratified? 2. Should not a deputation from the Evangelical Alliance accompany Czerski on his return, and visit the infant churches? They would be well received, would be useful, and would represent, not this or that sect, but the entire church.

TO THE REV. RIDLEY H.
HERSCHELL.

DEAR SIR,-As there have been such strange reports spread in this country relative to our views of Christian doctrine, and our efforts in Germany, you express a wish to receive from our own lips our opinions in regard to the fundamental doctrines of Christianity. We feel the more bound to give you, in a few words, our Christian convictions, because, at our coming to London as strangers, you received us with true Christian love, and have given us many