The New York Herald Newspaper, August 25, 1873, Page 8

8 A CHRISTIAN COUNCIL The Great Meeting of the Evangeli- cal Alliance Next October. Programme of Topics To Be Discussed and of Speakers To Be Present. Bepresentatives of Europe and America and the Islands of the Sea Expected—Great Preparations Making for Their Reeeption. Dollinger and Reinkens Re-' fuse to Come. Origin and Oharacteristios of the Alliance— A Speck of Frouble on the Communion Question—What Is Proposed and What Expected. ‘As the time for thia great Protestant Chrietian gathering approaches it is demanding and receiv- ing the attention which it deserves. So great an array of eminent names has, probably, never before been called together to deliberate upon matters connected with the progress of Protes- ant Christianity. Nor was the Protestant world, apparently, ever so ready to listen to the counsel of such an ecumenical council as it 1s to-day. The movements toward Western civilization and re- Ngion which we behold the nations of the Orient making invite the calling together of this Alliance Convocation. And from France, Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Italy, Spain, Russia, Switzerland, the British North American Provinces and the distamt colonies of the South Pacific, from South America and the islands of the sea, a8 well as from many States of this Union, delegates are expected to come and to pour out their thoughts and their words of maturest wisdom in the ears of each other and of the New York Christian public. The ap- pointed meeting of the Evangelical Alliance will, doubtless, be an event of more importance thas any similar assemblage of modern times, The oc- casion and the purpose of the Council magnify in consequence, Nor can we conceal the thought “that the époch in our own history when, Bnd the place on our own soil where the conference will be held, are not unimportant circumstances. Civil and religious liberty have here achieved their proudest triumphs. We have mow no shameful national sin to dim the lustre of our history, We are not now a feeble nation straggling for existence, nor a divided nation, whose different members are claiming recognition, but we present before the world the strength ana glory ofa free and happy people. The elements of moral power and of true greatness are combined with the causes of our progress. We are not only B iree and prosperous people, but we are mighty before the powers of the earth,- because we are a Christian nation, Aithough there is here _ NO UNION OF CHURCH AND STATE, and no en‘orcement of ecclesiastical authority by the arm of secular p6wer, yet as a people. we pro- | West Indies. The second erage 3 Paris in 1866, during the French posit t part o rig ed lat named active efforts were ance in this country, year & meeting was sented very much sented vel of the Onristian virtue of the community. E. was held in “ert se. rth at Geneva Behe aimsverdam in 186t In the a nization of the alll- and on January 31 of that held in New York. ‘The gather- ctable au sonre as n wealth as well a8 ation at hird at forth toeffect @ branch erie Christ was chosen president of the or that time effected, and this position he has eld steadily up to the present hour. The aa great convocation of the Alliance agin ner been held here in 1870, but for the sudden bre: : out of the war between Germany and Banos, ite disastrous results to the latter. It waa ‘ared that the enmity would be tuo strong, v6 amit of the coming together even here ofthe atlas repre- sentatives of the Protestant Chrreb, in those countries, The subject was, therefore, em in abey- ance, and commissioners were, ‘appointed to visit the principal cities, churches an institutions of learning in Europe, and extoad a hearty invitation on behail of the American nce to such eminent men as the body here had previously agreed upon or the Commission might be able to zariae to oom. ‘forts have been put time to time since to impress the ople here with the great significance and impor- tance of the approaching Conference, and ure the attendance of such representative men from dimerent foreign countries. ‘The Rev. Dr. P. Scnafy, the leading ree of the whole move- ment,has made two visits to Europe during succes- sive years, and is even now abroad. Large sums of money also ($30,000), have been raised to cover the travelling expenses of these European celebri- ties, as well as other outlays/necessarily incident tosuch an occasion. It, is, then definitely settied that the Byangelical Alnance will convene here in October, ginning its seasidis on the 2d and closing them on the 12th of that month, THE PRELIMINARY SBSSION * will be held on Thursday evening—the opening day—in the hall of the Young Men's Christian Association, on Fourth avenue and Twenty-third street. Mr. William E. Dodge will preside, and the address of welcome will be delivered by Rev. Dr. Adams, to which the officers and some delegat of the European branches will reply. On the next day (Friday) the Conterence will organize and elect its olticers, the President of the Conference the ‘Present State of Christendom’ Cezanne: English speaking countries) wilkbe heard, Among the speakers selected for this occasion are Kev. Eugene Bersier, of Paris, provided he can get away, which is Age yet quite certain; Rev. H. Krum- macher, of Brandenburg, Germany; Rev. M. Cohen Stuart, of Rotterdam, Netherlands; Rev. Matteo Prociet, of Genoa, Italy; Rev. Antonio Carrasco, of Madrid, Spain; Rev. Chames Torén, pent of Upsala, Scandinavia; Rev. Erik Nystivem, Ph. D., of Stock- holm; and a delegate is expected from St. Peters burg whese name bas not yet been announce On Saturday, October 4, papers will be read con- cerning went ~ “CHRISTIAN PNION, its Basis, Modes of its Promotion and Manifesta- tion, and Its Consistence with Denominational Dis- tinction; ‘The Objects and Influence o! the Evan- gelical Alliance in Promoting Christian Union and Religious Liberty ;” ‘The Relations, Spiritual and Ecclesiastical, of the United States to Great Britain and the Contiment of Europe,” and lastly, “The Interchange of Pulpits.’’ There is ample yoom for varied though and diversity of opinion in this array of subjecta, bearing, hdwever, upon the one grand subject of Christian union, Aud we gught to expect and to hear something grand ani - lime on these points from such men as the Very Rev. John R. Payne Smith, D. D., Dean of Canter- bury; Rev. John Stoughton, D. D., of London; Rev. G. Monod, D. D., of Paris; Rev, Paul Kieinert, of the University of Berlin; Rev. James ove fee Rev. Dr. Schmettan, Secretaries of the Britlsh Alliance; Dr. Hodge, of Princeton Seminary, New Jersey; Bishop Bedell (Protestant Episcopal, of give god Bishop Simpson (Methodist), of Phila- eine Spe BITS Mes ~ @ otflrches of this city are expected to open their d0ors and pulpits on the Sabbath to the Al- ltflice delegates, and all such who receive them will have an opportunity to hear and to contrast the ministry of the Old World with that of the New. Such another opportunity may never again be af- forded to this generation, The morping and alter- noon Of thateday will be devoted, therefore, to this service, and in the ning @ general meeting of the Alliance wil! be held in the Academy of Music, On Monday, October 6, the sessions of the Al- liance wili be devoted to # discussion of “CHRISTIANITY AND 113 ANTAGONISMS,’!. and papers will be read on “Rationalisni ahd Pan- theism,” “Materialism and Positivism; on the “Best Methods of Counteracting Modern Infidel- ity; on the “Harmony of Science and Revela- tion;” “The Gospel History and Modern Criti- . fess the principles of Christianity, while at the wame time cheerluty conceding the rights of Jews, Mahommedans and Pagans in our land. We reverence the Bible and hold sacred the rights of religious liberty. Our religious sentiment is an element of our strength and greatness, Its power is mightier, than thatfof man’s law. There is no better place than our land for an assemblage of Christian representatives to meet and consult upon the fraternal and sta- pendous interests of a Christian Alliance. It is believed that the assembly will fairly repre- sent the learning and piety of Protestantism; that new forces of sympathy and new methods of con- cert between the various branches of the Church of Christ will be exhivitea, and that a more auspi-*| cious era in the religious history of the world will Gate its rise from the great conference of 1873. The | 49" Watran, of Boston University, and Professor duration of the conference will be short, but its work will be enduring. Various brotherhoods wil be unified by a new fraternal tie, who shall no more treat each other as strangers and foreign- ers, but fellow-citizens with the saints and of the household of God. For more than a quarter of a century the idea of Protestant unification has had possession of cer- tain great minds both in the Old World and in the New; still, nothing materially important has been accomplished in this direction. Great things are looked for, however, from the coming meeting of the Alliance. Not that any very definitive legisia- tive action 1s looked for from that body, though | there are some among the Protestant churches in this land who would like to see the Evangelical Alliance assume a modified P: the represented and subseribing sects and churches of Christendom, Others there are who favor the assumption of an advisory rather than a legisia- tive character by the Alliance. And yet a third class see nothing good to come of the great gathering, and fear only evil as the result, This Class is, how¢ver, by no means large, distinctive or important, and while the Alliance will very likely not assume any legislative authority over the local churches or denominations represented, there is a strong probability that it will speak advisingly to those who may hear concerning the petty ditfer- ences which now divide Protestant Christendom, and touching the best methods of bringing min- isters and churches into @ closer alliance than they have ever before aimed at. ORIGIN OF THE BVANGELICAL ALLIANCE. AS early as 1844 the weakness of Protestant Chris- tlanity, because of the divisions and dissensions in its body, led some of the then great minds of En- rope and America to seek some means of restoring harmony and unity in the body, For two years Preiiminary meetings and conferences were held, until measures had ripened suMiciently to warrant the holding of a meeting in London in August, 1846. Fifty denominations were represented in that gathering by 921 delegates from Germany, Switzer- land, Holland, France, Great Britain and the United States, Baptist Noel, of London; Dr. Guth- rie, of Edinburgh; Pastor Monod, of Paris; Dr. Baird, of Baltimore; Drs. Kurtz, Senmucker, Mor- ria, of the United States, and many others of equal eminence in the Christian Church, took part in the deliberations of that Conference. The Alliance was then formed, and its object was then and there de- clared to be to promote Christian feeling and 1o¥- ing mtercourse between the various Protestant denominations, and an effective co-operation in the efforts to repulse what to them appeared to be the common enemy—Roman Catholicism. They saw with regret that the Catholic Church everywhere presented a united front, and that in heathen countries especially this fact gave her a | decided advantage over Protestant missionaries. They saw, too, with deep and sincere pity that Protestantism was perpetually dividing and sub- dividing itself into littie sects about the merest forms and ceremonies or appliances of church wor- ship. The introduction of an organ or other in- stroment of music, the raising of a spire on a church, the singing of hymns or Of improved metri- cal versions of the Psaims and such non-essential forms would drive away a handful of Christians from the main body and a new sect was certain to be the product. And, like the divided members of a@ family, the difference between these several branches has been difficult to heal, There has never been any particular sympathy between them, and consequently no concert of action, The Jeeling on the part of several of the churches to- Ward these dissenting Protestant brethren has been bitter as that reo by the same bodies toward the Church of Rome. PUKST MEETING OF THE ALLIANCE. At the first meeting in London, in 1846, the dele- og therelore resvived to do what they couid to seal these differences of Provestants. Six divi- sions were organized as follows:—First, That of Great Britain and Ireland; second, the United States; third, France, Belgium and Switzerland; Jonrth, North Germany and a portion of Switzer: aud; Yvb, brisk Nyrte America, gus sixty, the pal authority over | cis; ‘Rheology and Philosophy ;” ‘Faith and Reason,” and “Christianity ana Humanity.” This programme will give occasion to some of the most Jorinaliy“Sot¥ed aud soporte suet detente | are t Missions Among hes,” ‘Missions Among Civilized , Nations,” “Territorial Divisions of 4s of Labor,” “Missionary Courtesy, ‘Science, Literature and Commerce to zssions;” “Evangelization of the Masses ally Christian Countries, Including the 4sions in Germany ;” “City Missions in Eng- A America and Tay’ Preaciun ,” “Laws and 4of Progress in Christ’s Kingdom, Including yp ,fdential Deiays and Accelerations 01 Missions, 0 4 the Prospects of Christianity.” Dr. Joseph 4 ug, of Regent’s Park College, London ; Dr. John lens, Secretary ef the London Missionary Society ; Professor A. H. Chartens, Dean of the Chapel Royal, Edinburgh; Dr. Grundemann, of Potsdam, Germany; Professor David Brown, of Aberdeen, Scotland; Dr. David Charles, of Averystuyth, South Wales; Rev. Dr. Knox, of Belfast, ireland} Rev. Lowry E. Berkeley, of Lurgan, Ireland; Bishop KE, de Schweinitz, 8.1. 'D., of Bethiehem, Pa, ; Dr. Horce Bushnell, of Hartiord, Conn.; Dr. M. D. Hoge, of hmond, Va.; Dr. Rufus Anderson, Boston, Mase.; Hon. Peter Parker, M. D., LL. v., Washington, D. C., and Rev. Dr. Thomas M. Eady, of this sity, will speak and write on the above- ica, reyes October 11, the last business day of mn Saturda} the Alliance Conference, the discussions will bear upon the “(RELATIONS OF CHRISTIANITY TO SOCIAL EVILS.’” The papers to be read will treat of Christianity as a Refining Power; Intemperance and its Sup- pression ; uperism and ite Remedy; Crime and Prison Discipline; Marriage and Divorce; Indians and Freedmen in the United States; the Labor Question; Wer and Peaceful Arbitration; Crime and Criminals and Christian Philanthropy 48 Maui- Jested in Hoanisai, Deaconesses, Reiuges and Ragged Schoo! ie speakers and writers on these topics are mainly citizens of the United States. Rev, W. F. Stevenson, of Dublin, Who is at pace travelli here and studying our benevd- lent and reformatory institutions; sir Harry Ver- ney, M. P., Claydon House, Bucks, England, and ‘Atidreas op Bernstord of. Beri Baraaiee 3 8 nian if Ae +, AEE the oO) foreigners depu' this Hection OP interefdug topics. ‘Kev, Wines, of the Prison Reform Assi Hon; Dr. Wil- liam A. Muhlenberg, ot 5 uke! lospital; Pro- fessor Theodore Dwight, of Columbia Law School, and Hon, Nathan hop, D,, all of this city, together wie Rev. se '. fe ‘ aeaavan, ce Bie nura, Pa} Geor, uart, ol lelphia; Hon. Fag frrano, of hat Pi, and Presigent W. i: Allen, LL. D., of Girard Coliege, Philadeiphia, will also discuss these important questions, THE CLOSING DAY OF THE CONFERENCE, Sunday, October 12, will be spent somewhat as the previous Sunday—by sermous delivered morning and afternoon by the delegates in all the churches in New York and Brooklyn and vicinity whose pa poe mey be opened to them, concluding with a farewell service of the Conference in the Academy of Music, New York, with addresses and prayers in ‘each language represented. ‘The preceding list of speakers embraces only those who have peen specially invited by the American Alliance to present their matured views on the subjects assigned them, The several branches of the Alliance in Europe and America are also expected to send their officers and dele- gates to take part in the discussions and delibera- tions of the Conference. The invited speakers will be allowed thirty minutes each in which to [eapary their views, aud other <aplesates wil be imited as the occasion niay Féquire, revotional meetings of the sections will U6 bald ery morn- ing, from nine to ten o’cleck, iq the Madison square Presbyterian chute ‘The Onierence during the #y, maul be ‘divi into three or four sections, rding to langMage (English, German, French, sc) aa Jo. “ane sections will meet mornings an Fons in the Young . clatgh jailding and in ne Yer Cue Hot by’s Presbyterian and St. Paul’s Methodist Epis- copal churches in the vicinity. On both Sundays and on Tuesday and Thursday of the second week Sonal meetings will be held in the Academy of lusic in this city. A French meeting will be held on Monday evening, October 6, aud a German, meeting on Friday’ evening, October 10, both in Association Hall A public meeting will be held on Wednesday evening, October 8, in the Academy of Music, Brooklyn. It is the settled pur- pose oi the Alliance, so far as it can now be ascer- tained, not to entertain any resolutious that would be likely to commit the Conference to special meas- ures or legisiative prerogatives, but to leave every member and every church represented tree to foi- low their own Ways alter the Conierence bas ad- journed, as they do now. The gathering itself will te ag era in the religious history of the country, And its tesults will probably be permanently ang beneficially felt THE GROWrie OF CHRISTIAN CHARITY. and sympathy and the breaking down, to some ex- tent at least, of the barriers of prejudice which make some churches barren of good works, The purpose an@ policy of the Convention will be to show iorth the essential quality of that divine prin- ciple of love which vitalizes the faith and which shall keep 1t glowing until it be accepted of all natious, Methods and Resul the Oriental Chur and Unetvilizec Missionary Fie tions O tian M in Nomip Tuner Mi land ay Moder Prov ashington, D. to speak on > EO. | emiment minds in Furope and America to present | their best thoughtg on the subjects indicated, and | to show us plainly and directly how Christianity may meet and overcomedits antagonists— wily foes Wuo are SO assiduousiy secking to undermine the foundation of our faith, We shall hear on these subjects Irom such men as Rev. Professor J. J. Stewart Perowne, D. D., of Trinity College, Cam- bridge; Rev. Professor Stanley Leathes, of King’s College, London; Rev. Dr. Joun Cairns, of Berwick, Englund; Proiessor Calderwood, of Edinburgh Unt- versity; Dr. Hotfman, Court Chaplain at Berlin; Rey. Professor Chrisilieb, of the University of Bonn; Rey. Professor Vosterzee, 01 the Universit: of Utrecht, Holland; Proiessor Godet, of Neuchatel, Switzerland; President Dawson, of McGill College, Montreal; Dr. McCosh and Dr. Guyot, of Prince- ton; Dr. &. A. Washburn, of this city; President J. W. Nevin, of Lancaster, Pa.; Professor Park, of Andover; Professor H. 8, Smith, of this city; Dr. Henry, of the Smithsonian Institute, Washingt D.C.” Certainly this array of scholarly talent ough to produce and present something worth hearing and remembering for years to come, . Tuesday, Octover 7, will be spent in discussing ‘papers on ‘THE CHRISTIAN LIFE,’? including Personal Religion, its Aids and Hin- drances; Prayer and the System of Nature; Fam- ily Religion, Sunday Schools, Religious and Secuar Edu. ation; Demands of Christianity upon its Pro- ern Literature in its Relations to Christianity; the Pulpit of the Age and Young Men’s Christian Asso- | ciation, These themes should give a chance to the speakers appointed to measure such schemes as the | Crédit Mobilier and the back action Congressional salary gral he corners in gold and coal and corn and otker commercial and financial matters of douotful morasity, with the highest and best type of Christian morals. They should also, and they doubt- | less will,ofter occasion to dwell upon topics that are now engrossing the attention of many minds in this Jand, namely:—The retention or the expulsion ‘of the Bibie from the public schools, and the prayer test of Professor Tyndal and others. The debaters of these questions in- clude such names as Rev, Williain Arnot, of Edin- burgh; Dr. James H. Rigg, of the Wesleyan College, Westminster; Dr, J. C. Harrisoa, of London; Dr. Franck Conlin, oi Geneva; Dr. George Fisch, of Paris; Professor Pfleiderer, of Wartempurg; Hon. J. W. Vau Loon, of Amsterdam; Dr. Noab bo of Yale Coliege, New Haven, Conn.; ex-Preside! Hopkins, 0! Williams College, Massachusetts; Henry Waru Beecher, of Brooklyn; Professor Anderson, of Rochester University; Dr. Fuller, of Baltimore; Professor Plumer, of Columbia, 8. U.; Kev. Dr. Nast, of Cincinnati; Dr. Richard Newton, of Phila: delphia; Rev. Phillips Brookes, of Boston, Mass. ; Cephas Brainard, of this city, and Professor D, P. Kiader, of Drew Seminary, Madison, N. J. Wednesday, October 8, will be devoted toa dis- | cussion of “PROTESTANTISM AND CATHOLICISM,” meluding papers upon such topics as the “Princi- pies of the Keformation,”’ “Supremacy of the bi- | bie,” “Justification by Faith and Curistian Liberty,” “Eifects of the Reformation Upon Modern Civiliza- | tion,” “Present Aspect of Komanism, the new | dogmas of the Immaculate Conception and Papal | Infalibility, the Vatican Council and the Political | Aspect of Modern Romanism and Jesuitism, the Old Catholic Moveinent,” ‘Reaction Against Romanism, | and the Training required to enable Protestant Ministers effectuaily to meet the Intellectual and Practical Demands of the Age.” These topics will be treated by men who have “i and iabored, | as it were, under the shadow and in: | fluences of the Vatican, and who must | be supposed at least to be as familiar | with thein as any men can be, Their expressions | will therefore hi an intrinsic as weil as @ repre- | Sentative value, Professor J. A. Dorner, of the University of Berlin; Professor Piumptree, of King’s College, bondon; Dr. Edmund de Pressensé, | of Paris (provided he can get away irom his duties | asa memiber of the National Assemsly), will par- | ticipate in these discussious. But other voices and other pens will take part also in presenting these questions in thelr complex phases to the New York public and to the world, ‘The distinguished philolo- wist, Professor Vischendorl, of the Leipsic Univer- Sity; Professor W. Kraft, of Bonn; Proiessor C, Pronier, of the Theological Seminary of the Free Church of Geneva. Father Hyacinthe, also of Gen- | eva, will be here to speak or to read papers as above, Bishop Cummins, of the Protestant Npisco- | pal diocese of Kentucky ; Dr, R, 8, Storrs, of Brook- | lym; Proiessor George P. Fislier, of Yale College, | and Professor Alva Hovey, of Newton Centre, | Mass., will also take part in these proceedings, On Thursday, Octover 9, the relations of “CHRISTIANITY AND CIVIL GOVERNMENT” will be discussed, in papers to be read on the “Present State of Religious Libérty im the Different, Nations of Christendow,” “Church and State,’ “the Constitution and Government of the United States as Related to Retigion,” “Legislation Upon Moral Questions,” “sunday Laws.’ “The Free Churches on the Continent of Europe,” “The Ki. fects of Civil and Religious Liberty upon Christian- ity.) and the “Support of the Christian Ministry,’ The ea appointed for these topics are the Rey. William Arthur, of London; Professor Rainy, of New College, Edinburgh; Proiessor Jonn Eadie, of Glasgow; Professor Herman Von der Goltz, of the University of Basie, Switzerland; Professor J. P. astie, of the Theological School of the Free Church, Lausanne, Switzerland; ex-President Theodore Woolsey, of New Haven, Conn, ; Dr. John Hall, of this city;' Proiessor D. K. Goodwin, of the Divinity School, Philadelphia, Pa, ; President W. H. Campbell, of Rutgers College, New Brunswick, N.J. ; Willam P. allen, LL. De of Albany; Normaa White, chairman of the New York Sabbath Com- mittee, and Dr. J. L. M. Curry, of Richmond, Va. “CHKISTIAN MISSION8—FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC,” will receive attention on Friday, October 10, when papers will be read on “Protestant and Roman Cathglic Migsiong Compared in Their Principles, fessors in Commercial and Public Affairs ana the | Right Use of Wealth; Kevivals of Reiigion, how to | make them productive of permanent good; Mod- | rter, ; Though coming together from distant and diversl- | fled elds, the delegates of the Alliance will, nevertheless, all bring, in the badge of the cross, the same symbol; and im the spirit of unity and fellowship they will be thus the more enabled to lay broader and deeper the enduring foundations of a Christian iraternity. The spliere-of its power will be commensurate With the civilized world. No hierarchy could wield such influence; nor will that power be due, except in an inferior respect, to the strength of thought or the intellectual exertion that may be exhibited; but rather to the unity of Christian purpose and the fraternity of mutual love which will give to their action the irresistible charm and force of harmony aud fellowship. ~ Besides those eminent men already named in this article, others of equal repute are expected to attend the sessions of the Alliance here» fhe Paris committee*of the Evangelical Alliance has dele- gated Pastor Emile Cook, President of the French Methodist Conference, to attend. He is not un- known to American Methodists, and no aoubt will be heartily received by them. Pastor M. Leliévre, another Methodist minister and editor and author, has been appointed by the Nimes committee of the Mission Intéricure to represent them here. Among the distinguished Baptists of Great Britain who are expected to be present are the Revs. Maclaren, Stoel, Angus, Wilkins and others. BISHOP REINKENS AND DR. DOLLINGER, of the old Catholic party, have also veen invited, but they have retused to come. Dr, Déllinger asked his tuterrogator what use would it be for him to go to America, where we make new sects every day? He declared his mission to be the pro- motion of Christian union, but he could not see how he could promote that end by attending the meeting of the Alliance in New York. Ddilinger’s expressed purpose is to affiliate the Latin and Greek churches, and he must be careful not to offend either by seeming to court Protestants, He had doubts, as many others have, that the Alliance Would be able to rise above the traditions of Prot- estantism and take in its scope the broader views of the Gospel. e problem in the world | of pronounced Protestantism is this—to keep independent bodies which are full of faith in their particular doctrines and methods and full of inter- est in their particular work, from invading the work or interests of each other. ‘That dimiculs roblem, indeed, bas greatly simplified itself in ate years, Christian affection and courtesy have wrought important changes in the relations of de- nominations which understand each othembetter than they ever did before. Yet some collisions of earnest and independent men and bodies do still occur, and the Allianee is expected to provide in nie way against the recurrence of such col- lisions, But, nevertheless, already before the Conference assembles, THERE 18 A SOUND OF TROUBLE inthe camp. Two Sabbaths will occur during the sessions of the Conference, and on these sacred days it was supposed the delegates would gather around the tabte of the Lord and commemorate His dying love and manifest their own substantial one- ness in Christ. But the Alliance has failed to pro- vide for such a service, and it is asserted that this failure is due to a craven respect or fear of the Bap- tists, whose consciences will not allow them to commune at the same table with unimmersed Christians. In the discussions which have taken place on this subject in the religious press the Alli- ance has been mildly denounced on the one hand for its neglect to provide such a Sabbath service, | while on the other it is likened to the Bible or | tract or any other society, which have no right, obligation or power as ‘such society to par- take of the communion of the vody and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. For one purpose of an argument the Alliance is looked upon as a repre- | sentative Council of Protestantism, while lor | another purpose it is nothing more than a society whose members come together periodically for & given purpose, and when this is accomplished their | powers and duties cease. As the members speak | Various languages and the Conference is to be di- | vided into sections Lestat to language, several | churches would be required for the communion, | and it is said they can ail commune in some church | or other during the sessions of the Conference. It is but just, however, to add that leading Baptist editors and writers contend that the Alliance a8 & body should hold a communion service regardless of tne consciences or the courtesies supposed to be due to their denomination. They also insist that Baptists would neither have ca to be offended nor, indeed, would they feel o:fended were such service provided for, But ANOTHER SLIGHT CAUSE OF TROUBLE in the camp ts feund in what is supposed to be @ | Slight cast upon certain sections and denomina- tions in our own country. The Lutherans and the Reformed Churches, together with some others of the many smailer sects scattered about the South and West, as well as certain local sections of the South, deem that they have been ignored because none or not many of their representative men have been invited to participate in the delibera- tions of the Conference. Hence, Rev. Dr. chmnucker, of the Lutheran Church, propesed re- tly that the Protestant denominauons should gather here by representatives and seek to effect an organization for the purpose of accomplishing morai and political reforms, the Evan- gelical Alliance will undertake this WORK and assume the powers and prerogatives necessary thereto, well; but if not, Dr. Schmucker would have another Christia thering undertake it. But the opposition whick the Doctor's proposition has met with has practically and peruaee lorever deteated }. The practical union of the different Protestant denominations will probably never come by con- trivance, but by love, developed by jaaintance- ship in Christian work. And in this work the trae remedy for sect-making in our jand will be found. If the Evangelical Alliance shall be able to do auy- thing toward this desired end and object dui its sessions here next October it will not have met fo vain. Its coming will be welcomed among us, and ite work will be remembered in the long years that are yet before us. We hope it will act wisely sud well, sop of Count | B13. —TRIPL COMPRACHICOS. The Traffic in Italian Children in Europe aud America. YOUTHFUL HARPISTS AND VIOLINISTS. How They Are Treated and How They Are Fed by the Charitable Padroni. Statistical Information About the * Piccoli Italiani. Parliamentary Law and Official Reports on the Subject of ‘‘Man’s In- humanity to Man.” Origin, Extent and Support of the Trade— Operations of the Padroni—How: They Are Regarded in Italy, The investigations now beiig held by the “officers of the law in regard to the kid- napping 9nd cruel treatment of Italian children in the metropolis serve to bring up proml- nently before public attention the magnitude of a crying evil. It is simply a form of white slavery, against which an active crusade should be in- itiatea at once. America and Italy are both directly concerned in the premises} for, as Italian egislators report, if Italy in the first mstance feeds this vile crade in little innocent chitdren, America has her share of responsibility in tolerating 1t, or in at least being an indifferent spectator of its exercise in her principal cities. The full history, or the origin, gradual increase and present extent of this terrible persecution, to which thousands and thousands of boys and girls of Italian nation- ality are subjected throughout the world, aid now more especially in these United States, is hot adequately known in our midst, ‘Tho fatter is certalaly of sufficient importaiice to warrant a laying before the readers of the HERALD of the chief facts in connection with this monstrous infant bondage, gathered from official data and well authenticst{d documents. In preparing a law ex- reas!yto meet the subject Italy has had the bene- it Of the opinions and reports giver by @iplomats, consuls, special committees and journalists, and, by availing herselfof them to draw up the law which passed the Chamber of Deputies at Monte Citorio last March, it is to be hoped that she has at last dealt a crushing blow to the evil in its fountain source, the Peninsula itself. The rapid increase and the revelations recently made in the odious trade,’as carried on in American cities, have very justly caused no little surprise and dis- gust. All good Italians, especially, have been shocked to witness the so far unchecked cruelty inflicted on the little ones of their own race and humiliated to see the proud name of Italy thus dragged into the mire 6n the soil of that New World which ono Bier sons discovered. It could only, therefore, be expected that many of them should have felt warmly on the subject and should have done all in their power, as private citizens, to have it properly dealt with, both here and across the water, as has been the case, Anyong others Captain Celso Cesare Moreno, a well-known Italian gentleman now residing in the metropolis, was the first to take zealous and active steps towards defending the unfortunate children snatched from his native land. He has written letters, made speeches in their behalf and served as interpreter for them in the courts of law fall into the protecting clutches of justice. For several years past he has been discussing the matter in communications addressed to the news- papers in Turin and Rome, hauling his countrymen over the coals for tardiness, and entreating the na- tional authorities to take suitable action in the case. Only a few months ago Captain Moreno arraigned through the press the Consul General of Italy at-this port as having failed, and failing, to take those steps which that oficial, he asserted, could take, within the scope of his consular powers, to put a stop to the infamous traffic. It is only fair to add that the Consul made to this indictment a reply, in which he stated that he had done all he couid for such @ purpose, and, moreover, expressed his conviction that the efforts of one single official; however zealous or powerful, could not settle such A COMPLICATED AFFAIR, Two years ago Captain Moreno wrote to the Minis- ter of Puvlic Instruction at Rome, urging the re- moval of the Consul. Although the Minister did not accede to nis request, he thought fit to send back an oficial reply, which deserves to be trans- lated as showing the slow, methodical manner of viewing business obtaining in Italian Ministerial offees,. whenever any strong appeal is sprung upon them, such for instance as the recali of an ambassador or consul. The letter runs as follows:— (Minister's Cabinet 673.) MINISTRY OF Buauic Insrnucrio%, » Sept. 26, 1: Esteemed Mr. Mouuno:—I have received vour fi the }7th ultimo. You are well aware how much th Government, the €nambers and the press in Italy have been occupied with the painful subject of the traffic in children. A law has been passed in this connection; but the veto can avail put little, until ts counsel, through more advanced civilization, shail penetrate the minds and hearts o! the ignorant and brutalized rural popula. tions. I refer to that civilization which does not wholly sconsist in material improvements, bat which elevaies and ennobles mind and heart. Nevertheless, it is also necessary to provide for the present, and, with is aim, I pray you to forward me as many Wocuments ‘As you can upon the subject, viz. : statistics, if they exist, or if you can compile any; articles of news Ss, acts of the authorities, kc. ill be greatly o to yeu for them, I will’ take into consideration algo the other points of your letter. Believe me always your most devoted, CESARE CORRENTI. STATISTICS. It is only through great difficulties that anythin, in the shape of statistical information in regar to the trafic is obtainable, because it is surrep- titiously carried on, and the children are debarked in American rts stealthily in squads and under as much disguise as possible. The present writer, when recently crossing the ocean, had occasion to observe the anxious shifts to which several padroni were put in order to conceal the real status of half a aozen little italian bah whom they had on the steamer for landing in New York. These urchins were amply clothed in filth, scabs and rags; they were sullen and silent, and, seated around the funnel, seemed to bag themselves solely in fighting vermin, which visibly swarmed on them, to the disgust of hardy, by- standing peasants. The padroni expressed great uneasiness lest the general appearance and get- up of these bo; ould prevent their being landed on arrival, and, aiter due consultation amon; themselves, it was determined that they shoul ransack their boxes in order to secure for them more respectable garments. In this they suc- ceeded, and so the boys, looking a shade better, were duly landed and ticketed off to Crosby street. But all the while the tear and trembling of the padroni were remarkable. There are? about seven thousand children, of both sexes, plying in the great cities of the United’ States as harpists aod violinists. During the trimestre ending June 30, 317 children, all below the age of twelve, arrived at New York by the steamers trom Europe, and they are still continuing to come. The recent legal action against the padront has caused quite a scare among the wa Cnr and one padrone put out, a few days ago, to Canada. in com- any with twenty-one children of both sexes, Biten nowadays the boys, smarting under such an abject control, take to their heels and escape in the country, whereupon the padroni bave the au- dacity to advertise for their recovery and to appeal to the 8 for aid. It is, however, a well ascertaines and commendable fact that the law officers refuse to afford the assistance demanded, Not Jong since three boys ran away from their master and took,refuge in Morristown, N.4. The padrone went ior them immediately bat the local authorities steadfastly denied the ex- tradition, and the gentleman who had given an asylum to the runaways threatened the would-be tyrant, telling him that as torrenjs of blood id been shed jor the freedom of the blacks a tolera- tion of white slavery could not be allowed, IN THE METROPOLIS. diquarters of the traffickers are in the dirtiest streets of the metropolis—or Crosby, Mul- berry, ‘ter and Elizabeth streets—and the chief lead or capi-padront, are Giuseppe Argenti, it Felice fe Luigi Lapettino, Sansone Nocenzo, large companion banded, togetter for prod nnd cempanies, banded pHi ‘and paving ramificstions srom Italy into the chief cities of the two Continents. They the part of mandarins over the unhappy live in a state of indolence, being too lazy to do any work, ex- cept count, late of nights, the money that the ‘chil- aren are jer the neverest nenaltics whenever any of them have had the good luck to- EK SHEET. *| tion to bring in; Mook after the affairs of the agencies with wi are and avoid Attracung the attention of tie polices They do not trouble. themselves with food for children when at heoanee cher nan’ Fux, Sp qrambe acd sign of the crow top wee bites are with various other Kinde of torture tons spire ® greater ti Peep all together, pean rooms, or rather nu of immorality peael beating do e: wr the soles of their through offictai inves: try and in London and u slave markets jor little Itatia sent out by cou; straw hat their er-like attire as Le att ir beer saloons playing “Wah! is little tribute to Vou Moltke foc 2a The amount wande: us per ‘dieme Ballard to they are stri and bitten in varie GIRLS AND OR@AN Girls make more pines Son boys and w doors of Rhein,” fails to bring down the house, There are at Jeast five hundred ambulaung organ it a atte sO The Pp what raed times the: juired of them, for it ts calculated in the American cities irom the vi 2 Borzonasea, province of Chiavari, and Fontana H Many of these red ol old Buona, province of Genoa. about with them monkeys dressed up in and taught to dance and well who ply the {al rine wi cents and proclaimin, ITALIAN MI! A Towards the close of last ye: ter of King Victor Emanuel addressed the foliow- ing note ty his colleagues, urging them to have the feats ill for the suppression of the traMec passed iy Chamber of Deputies :— = a Four, November 11, 1872 Continued complaints are made in foreign count ies in regard to the snametul ¢ carried on by dishonest speculators, to the detriment of poor little natio bob dren of both sexes. who, ceded for the most part by their parents for vile gains, go wandering about as ambalating musicians, to the profit of their ignoble masters and to the dishonor of the nation to which they a view of the gravity of the. evil, and the many losses thus caused the oat it es pot seem to the undersigned that we can “Sager delay to complete our work already initia fat on col ry it is of the utmost necessity the ich dy passed ry, i ted during the e CI of Deputien, 40 a ve the approval, ot ranches ot it pe put into. executgon forthwith, bags a herew ra ‘the minister, VISCONTI-VENOSTA. Tn “acdordance with the foregoing note the Senate bill referred to was by the Chamber on the 19th of March last and became a law of the kingdom. In substance it decrees fine and im- prisonment against all who shali trafic in Italian children under the age of sixteen; abolishes all contracta or seems between parents and speculators and compels the restoration of all minors under the specified age to their families; obliges the diplomatic and consular representa- tives to provide out of the public money for the restoration to their native land of all suck children, THE ORIGIN OF THE TRADE, On the passage of this law the Italian Yegislators went into the question of the ‘trade in children” learnedly and thoroughly, It has been pointed out that this dishonest business is much older than generally supposed, as there is hardly any legisia- ‘tuch does notrefer to it. The Hebrate and Grecian laws treat of it, and in old Rome the Fa- bian law, De Plagiartis, was drawn up to suppress asimilar traffic. Neivher the progress of Christian- ity nor the invasion of the barbarians was nble to extinguish entirely the terrible industry. Between the eighth and ninth centuries, and par- ticularly between the thirteenth and tourteenth, the evil increased through the means of that yara- bond race of people who came fretn the inaas into Europe, and who were known under the name of gypsies. Severe laws were enacted against the latter, but in vain, The Jaws published in Spain and Bogland guring thé sixteenth century-~Apainst the comprachicos, Sr buyers of childrep-—described by the author of “L’homme Qui Riv’—reveal how serious and pernicious the trade Was at that epoch. Coming down to more recent times, even in the days when Italy was divided into little States, the misery and ignorance in which were immersed the inhab- itants of some of the mogs sterile provinces, and, through lack of popular @daucation and intercom- munication, lad ipductd some of them to seek the means of livelihood in wandering préiessions or to barter their young for the profits accruing from such professions. When this last-mentioned tea- ture of the trade became fashionable there imme- rea ent session diately spring up a horrible conscriptton of innocent maidens and tender little boys, Miserable parents, stimulated pressin, needs or future hopes, decide to yiek and sometimes to sell or hire their children to the more fortunate speculators in‘ their midst. ‘The governments which then ruled Italy were in truth not indifferent to this great evil; each tried to provide according to its character and tenden- cies. It is certain that neither the preventive measures of the Neapolitan or Sardinian govern- ment, nor the repressive ones of the government of Parma availed to eradicate the noxious proceed- ings. The new Kingdom of Italy thus found itseif under the weight of a burden which it had not created; but it is only too true, however, that the evil has gone on increasing, whether owing to the facilities accorded by the new régime to the free development of private effort and greater intercommunication from prov- ince to province and from the interior to foreign parts, or, a8 perhaps also may be, through the insti- gations and encouragements of parties hostile to the new kingdom, Some opposition was expressed by the sticklers for tree rights under the constitu- tional system of Italy to the passage of the law above referred to. The Italian lawmakers decided, however, that tbe State had not only aright, but the duty, to do all it could to aiford protec- tion to its minors, and at least save them from falling into a state of abject slavery. In support of tneir view they quoted the jollowing propositions of Stuart Mill:—“‘A person haa to be free to do as he pleases with re: t to his own affairs, but that person should not be free to do as he pleases when he acts for another under the pretext that the affairs of that other are his own. The State, while respecting the liberty of each individual in what only concerns that individual, is obliged to watch with care the manner in which he uses the power accorded to |. him over other individuals.” NTIVE MEASURES Foreign Minister of Italy instructed his agents abroad to use the greatest caution in granting passports to Italian boys, and to retuse them absolutely, except for returning to their homes, to all exclusively dedicated to the trade of ambulating musicians and to their lea- ers and managers. But such _ instructions availed little; and things progressed so favorably until now for the traffickers that the latter have been enabled to hold on to the children as in- struments of gain, if helping and valid, or to abandon them to misery and starvation, i! sick or useless. Thus they have been rendered, in both cases, those objects of, public Pity which foreigners in Paris, London, Vienna an lew York are ac- customed to designate—as we are told by Italian lawmakers themselves—“under the painful name of ‘Little Italians’—Piccoli Italiani.” EXTENT OF THE TRADR. For a long time France was the omly market place for the little harpists and violinists; but the trade was limited; the road across the Alps was interrupted at every step by barriers, passports and policemen, The market of America was not jet open, and, between sorrowing mothers and the outstretched arms of their little sons, the ocean did not pass, To-day, however, as the oficial documents show, the industry is carried on by an extended association on @ vast scale, upon almost a boundiess territory reaching from the province of Basilicata, in the old Kingdom of Naples, to the shores of California, The trafic counts by hun- dreds its accomplices and by thous: ja its victimes. It has succursal brancnes, agents, directors; placers in all ports, countries in all the ports of the world’s emigration. Fathers, one may me have lost all shame, masters all humanity, and the guilty business assumes the tragic aspect which Herodotus gave to the market places of Babylon, and which the eloquence of Wilberforce assigned to the negru slave trade. At first, the chief sources of infantile slavery was in the ere and Ligurian villages of Northern ly. Then it” fell into decadence there and took new birth in the provinces of Basilicata, Caserta and Calabria, in the south A few years ago the Basilicata had the reputation of being the most ignorant and depraved province out of the fifty-nine comprising the kingdom. Such is not the state of that province now, however, owing to the natural force of progress and liberty; and yet it has failed to uproot that ugly product of its soil— trade in children. Now more than ever the sad names of several little villages are re- peated by French, English and Americans— of Viggiano, Calvello, Laurenzana, Marsicove- tere, Saponara Grumento, Corleto, Vinzano; for it 18 in these places that the modern comprachicos dealers, with pockets fuil of rattling seudi, 4 and tempt ignorant fathers and mothers to cede their offspring for the beuentt of all around, so called, when they do not proceed thither to steal outright. Once caught, the young ones are saves to do duty in the mos; profitable fields for picking up penmes, Under the govern- ment of Napoleon Ill, the French police was very hard on the padront and their operatives. Their rigorous treatment produced the effect flowing everywhere from protective duties. The whole cominerce was turned into th n_channels of other nations, and thas England and America, favored by great facilities of conveyance and toco- motion, received ali the surplus of Paris, AW ELOQUENT SPERCH. In supporting the bill passed by the Chamber of Deputies in March, one of the Deputies delivered himself of ch which calls jor translation. “Oustom,” he remark “makes law, very truly; but do not forget thas other maxim, viz., ‘law faci- Utaves, confirms and unive: custom.’ And certaifly, if the Iaw now proposed should be left to remain there in the air, alone, abandoned in the desert of a lukewarm and adverse society, we should doubt of ite efficacy even though a God had dictated 16 trom the top of the clouds to hig ‘Most favorite or we ee ne wr] does not diminish, but increases duty in all to co-operate for its execution. Par- Nament commence and con! ‘she dis- cussion of the present law, and it by its vote. Letit i ye L the firet act in fancy; wash the ly of the resurrected Te four language thos Sad words, a meee et of our 08e we Seicarte custom—trade in children- the tears of 0 many innocents, and be proaa us work. 7? law will oe al < = re; it not agitate our tribungs; causa. no Ministet. 10 tre on bench; but, in compensation, it will cause thousands Sr pity hearts apd 01 gentie souls to thrill tacitly in t sae it adds no new province ent oa} pats no new tribute i treasury ; but, more modest and not less pro to the chitd redeemed tt prepares the future mane’ to the tatheriand. Of ay be said that which was said of auother law which gave the blow to a still more nefarious servitude—It is a law in behail of *hymgnity, TRE kit Medical statistics show that Out of 100 children Of both sexes who 20 return home ; abou! the worl! and of all sorts and ! writer often viewed of littie child: A it tions of v of ¥r, Livingstone of ie Paat du Chaillu. ttle and their native country, condemned to exile and slavery, to sing gay semen ene cut high capers in places where pee he walls todas of titans success—in low verns al Uses throughout all capital gities, DOWN WITH IT, Our American cities owe it te theirown good Dame and to civilization to do all in their power to discountenance and uproot this shameful evil. For this end, what are the best steps to be taken on this Lyd +e pene y view of the fact that the people in Italy, through ignorance or long use, are quite indifferent to the subject; that there are other and more colossal problems to be solved there, and that the exportation will stil continue trom that central point? Clearly to so use law and pane that a wholesale raid may be made on the institution wherever it shows itself in our cities— and in order to exist it is bound to show itself pub- ltely—and invariably to refuse henoeforth, on prin- ciple, to give pennies to the young Italian children: in the streets, however well they may play—how- ever persistent, tricky or even charming they may. pppear, - FEDERAL OFFICE AYFAIRS. « inoabbianagy " At the Custom Howse and Post Office. Judging from the activity displayed at the Cus tom House during the past week, it would appear that the dull season has at last come to ap ena. The hum of business is heard on every side; the rotunda is crowded from pine in the morning antl three in the afternoon with merchants and brokers eager to have their goods eutered and invoices’ passed, Saturday's receipts by the cashier for duties amounted to upwards of half a million dollars, and during the week to over three million @ol- lars, At the same time, while every arriving vox. 8el is loaded to the gunwale with precious freigtit, the exports of domestic produce for the current year will be considerably greater than the imports, This fact ia probably owing to the shortness of European crops, which the plengitude of the United States is called upon and fully able to supply. Politically speaking there is poume whatever new occurring in the Custom Hr » No erpoint- ments are made unless the vacancies are filled by such persons as have undergone & civil serwco examination aud been found competent to execute the duties that are to be assigned to them. In this course General Arthur has been ve rict and thus far confined himself to the very letfer of the Civil Service Code in making new appointments. AT THE POST OFFICE Postmaster James kee ayy a at improvements which will conduce to pin f de livery of mails and the general eMiciency of the ; mail service under him, One of the greatest ac- commodations to the public has been the estad- lishment of money order bureaus aependencies, as also the Ger vo a. 3 erman on, obtained on and after the Ist prox. Station K, corner of Eighty-sixth street and Third avenue, is devoted to domestic money orders only, Saturday was a very busy day in the otf Dutch church eco a Oe The maii steamship Deutach- land, Captain Ladewigs, arrived unexpectedly, and broug t eighty-nine bags of mail matter, mostly letters, which enormous bulk was stamped and in the hands of the carriers and for boxing within half an hour after arrival. At the seme time three foreign mails were despatened—by the steamship Oceanic eighty-seven bags, by the steamer Main forty-six bags, and by the Bra- zillan steamer a South American mail of twenty- ive bi Mr. EW. Barber, Third Assistant Postmaster General, and Dr. C. F. Macdonald, Chief of the Money Order Bureau in Washington, were in con. peel oe with Mr. James in reiation to postal af- fairs. During the ramy season just past the elements have played havoc with the paper roofing on the new portion of the old Post x im my over the part fron'ing on Nassau street. e depart. ment feels loath to expend a large sum of money for such repairs, and is endeavoring to locate, as carly a8 possible, the Post Office in the new calles now erecting in the City Hall Park. BROOKLYN'S GREAT TRAGEDY. ‘——snecemnpemmnnensione A Fly Leaf from the Goodrich Cases Clairvoyant Agency as a Detective. One of the most remarkable phases of that most singular of cases in the anaals of crime—the mur- der of Charles Goodrich, in his house in Degraw street, in March last—is. the peculiarity of the President of the Police Commission, General Jour- -dan, in his implicit reliance in clairvoyancy as a detective agency and hig want of confidence in Chief Campbell, who really encompassed the arrest of the murderess. Mrs. Dr. Park, the clairvoyant, of Atlantic avenue, recommended by Lucette Meyers, gave valuable information to the President, had it been verified. A detective, formeriy engaged by Mr. Jourdan in the Goodrich case, tells the following interesting story of hw efforts in the interest of the Commissioners? “bine.” He said:—“If Mr. Jourdan or any one eiee attempts to cast any reflection on Mr. Campbell 1 will not stand by and sanction it. I was sent for by General Jourdan shortly aiter the murder, £ went up stairs, and Comimissioner Brij said that ‘the General’ Was out, but that he had left a letter for me to go on special duty; that it was not to be known by any one, even to the Chief of Police, I said, ‘Is this not treating my superior omcer with diarespect? but Mr. Bi said it ‘wae the orders of General Jourda a to tak _ tte ne see Alderman Richardson (foreman of the Coroner's jury), which laid, The Alderman then took me to.’ THE HOUSE OF A CLAIRVOYANT in Atlantic avenue, near Hoyt street, and there we met Lucette Meyers, I was introduced to her and it was agreed that! should meet her in New York on the following Monday, [did so, She said she wanted to go to Mary Handley’s house, but war afraid to go there without mm, and if £ wanted any assistance—other oMicers—Detectiver Folk and Corwin would assist me, I went to the corner of Clinton street and East there was to engage Ma Handley's house for the core of shadowing her. I did so and followed her the next day. Sho took @ car, came over Fulton ferry and up to Police Headquarters, I sent in @ note to General Jourdan and said that she was then in the building and that I thought she noticed me on the car from the General Jourdan beckoned for mo from the case. This was the sioners had told the Chief to discharge Mary at ley. Mr. Richardson and General Jourdan free to have great faith in what they we the case by the clairvoyant,” Doha rt drawn