our end or draw attention to other arguments and considerations. They, as well as those I have crudely and imperfectly stated, will be more ably presented by others during the sessions of the convention. I may say, however, that the agitation of these questions, from their very nature, will never be ended until they are rightly settled. The people may be misled temporarily. Even some good men may be deceived by the cries of "the violation of conscience," and "the union of church and state." But these are so manifestly foreign to our purpose that they can alarm no one except the "amiable gentlemen" who seriously give ear to them. We can safely trust the conscience of the masses of men to pronounce an ultimately just judgment upon the value and necessity of any political question involving, as it does, the moral well being of the State. For we have learned from our own history that in the long run the people are right.

The following letters were read from officers of the National Association and other gentlemen who were unable to be present.

FROM THE HON. WM. STRONG, U. S. SUPREME Court, PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11, 1871.

REV. D. MCALLISTER-Dear Sir :-I have delayed replying to your note with a view of ascertaining definitely, what arrangements our court might make respecting its winter recess. It has now been settled that our recess will be only two weeks, and will terminate on the 6th of January. It will, therefore, be impossible for me to attend the coming Cincinnati Convention.

This I regret for many reasons. I should greatly enjoy the associations of the convention, and derive benefit from its influences. Manifestly the movement to secure the recognition of God as over all in our fundamental law is making more and more an impression upon the public mind. Even the misrepresentations of the purposes of its friends, and the violence of the opposition it encounters, attest its progress.

I rejoice at the prospect there is of a good and effective meeting, and I trust your anticipations will not be disappointed. Very truly and respectfully,

W. STRONG.

FROM THE REV. A. A. MINER, D. D., PRESIDENT OF TUFT'S COLLEGE, MASSA

CHUSETTS.

BOSTON, Nov. 27, 1871.

REV. D. MCALLISTER-Dear Sir :-The state of my health and the number of my labors and cares at home, will not permit me to attend the approaching convention at Cincinnati. I regret this the more as I feel that the faith of the nation needs anchorage, and I should be glad to do anything in my power to help it find it.

Yours, truly, A. A. MINER.

FROM HIS EXCELLENCY, SETH Padelford, GOVERNOR OF RHODE ISLAND.
PROVIDENCE, Jan. 27, 1872.

REV. D. MCALLISTER-My Dear Sir :-Yours of the 17th is on hand. It would afford me great pleasure to attend your meeting to be held on the 31st inst., if my engagement permitted. The Legislature of the State is now in session, which calls for my presence here.

FROM PROFESSOR JULIUS H. SEELYE.

Yours, truly, Seth Padelford.

AMHERST COLLEGE, Nov. 21, 1871. REV. D. MCALLISTER-Dear Sir:-Yours of the 14th inst. is received, andI regret that it is impossible for me to agree to be present at the convention of which you speak, owing to my other engagements for that time.

Notwithstanding the indifference of many and the hostility of some, from whom better things might have been expected, it seems to me that the movement towards the religious amendment to our Constitution grows in volume and strength. May God bless it with His guidance and inspiration! Very truly yours,

J. H. SEELYE.

FROM JOHN ALEXANDER, Esq., PHILADELPHIA.

REV. D. MCALLISTER

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 29th, 1872.

Secretary of the National Association to meet in Cincinnati, Jan. 31st, 1872. MY DEAR SIR:-Your favor of the 23d inst. urging my attendance upon the Cincinnati Convention finds me in such a state of health as to render personal presence im practicable; but I shall be with you in spirit, for I have enlisted for the war.

That

If your coming convention be favored with such a genial atmosphere as pervaded the convention in which the movement was born, it will indeed be good to be there. memorable convention, which must remain fresh in the memory of all who attended it, was held in Xenia, Ohio, in 1863.

The marked feature of that Pentecostal season, which we desire to present for your encouragement, was the remarkable devotional spirit which characterized all its meetings. The numerous tongues from eleven denominations of Christians were blended in earnest wrestlings at the common Throne of divine grace, and there appeared to be great freedom of access and immediate answers granted to the prayers offered-and the soul-inspiring songs of praise and thanksgiving, which mingled so largely in the services, produced an effect so sublime and elevating as never to be forgotten by those who were engaged in them. That you may have such a meeting, and that you may enjoy such an outpouring of the Holy Spirit is the greatest blessing we can ask for you; and to this end we trust no denominational preferences may be allowed to hinder such freedom and forbearance in all the exercises, as the spirit of brotherly love should cordially extend in an assembly of Christians met upon an equal platform, for a common object. That you may have the prospect of such a blessed season we earnestly recommend that you set apart abundant time to the important exercise of prayer and praise.

We are now entering upon a period in the question when infidel and atheistical assaults are, and will be made, and must be met. We trust the coming conflict will arouse from apathy the Christianity and patriotism of the land, and bring to our aid that increased co-operation and activity which we so much need, and which our antecedents as a Christian nation warrant us to expect.

For the furtherance of this couse I will contribute on demand, for the current year two hundred dollars-and if there shall be four or more individual subscriptions of three, four or five hundred dollars paid into your treasury within the year, I will increase my subscription to the largest sum thus paid. One fourth of my subscription to be appropriated to the support of the CHRISTIAN STATESMAN when issued weekly.

Let us be encouraged in our efforts by the declaration of Him who is King of Kings, who hath said, "Them that honor me, I will honor, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed." "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." And let us be admonished by His threatening which saith, "The nation and kingdom that will not serve him shall perish. Yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted." That our beloved land may become the inheritor of these promises, and delivered from these threatenings is the prayer of Yours truly in the Cause,

JOHN ALEXANDER, 1935 Arch St.

PEORIA, ILL., Jan. 26, 1872. REV. D. MCALLISTER-Dear Brother :-I write to advise you that a sudden and severe illness, from which I have not yet recovered so as to leave my house, will probably prevent my being present in convention next week. This, of course, is matter of great regret to me, as I fear it may disappoint some expectations and derange some plans. But "man's goings are of the Lord." He knows what is best for men and for measures. Fraternally, yours, J. EDWARDS.

No. 71 N. CURTIS ST., CHICAGO, 26th Dec. 1871. REV. D. MCALLISTER-Rev. and Dear Sir:-I am compelled to leave for Europe in bad health, and shall not be permitted to speak for God and his kingdom at the Cincinnati meeting. But the Lord reigneth; His will shall one day be done on earth as it is in heaven, and our eyes shall see it and our hearts rejoice. Yours, in Christ,

ROBERT PATTERSON.

BRECKSVILLE, Jan. 29, 1872. The Congregational Church in Brecksville, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, to the Convention on the Religious Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, assembled in Cincinnati, January 31, 1872

Fellow Citizens:-We greet you in the name of the Lord, and our prayer is for you, that the Divine blessing may be upon you in the work for which you are convened. We appointed a delegate to meet with you in convention, but he is unable to attend. We deem the call for this convention highly honorable to the nation, and for the glory of God on earth. Fraternally, G. C. REED, Pastor.

PITTSBURGH Jan. 30, 1872.

REV. D. MCALLISTER, General Secretary National Association-Dear Sir:-Untii today I expected to be in attendance at the convention, but regret now to state that circumstances over which I have no control prevent me from being present.

I enclose my check to order of the Treasurer of the National Association for one hundred dollars, which with my prayer for the guidance of the convention in all their deliberations and actions, and for the early adoption of the proposed religious amendment and triumphant success of the cause of the reform, is all the help at this time I am able to render you in the cause. Yours, &c., D. CHESNUT.

REPORT OF THE GENERAL SECRETARY.

The General Secretary of the National Association, the Rev. D. McAllister, presented the following report:

The work of your Secretary began on the 1st of October, 1871. This report, therefore, covers only the brief period of four months. Short as the time has been, however, a review of it presents matters of deep interest and great encouragement to all friends of the religious amendment of our national Constitution.

In beginning the work of Secretary it seemed important to ascertain the condition of the friends of this movement as respects organization. From the results of a wide correspondence it appears that until within the past year, or a little over, hardly any effort had been made in this direction. The National Convention, which held its sessions in Pittsburg less than two years ago, gave a marked impulse to the work. During the succeeding fall and winter, organizations sprang into existence throughout the country. Just how many there are at present has not yet been ascertained. Information has been received of thirty, with a membership ranging from twenty to three hundred. But while the work of organization is just beginning, the public discussion of the subject has been vigorously carried on in many places. Within about one year nearly two hundred public meetings have been held, at each of which one or more addresses have been delivered, and, in most of instances, to large and enthusiastic audiences.

In order to bring the friends of the movement together, and to awaken the attention of the country at large to the rapid progress which it is making, a national convention was proposed for this winter. Cincinnati, the scene of agitation on the subject of religion and the State, in the form of the question of the Bible in the schools, and that of Sabbath laws, was chosen as the place of meeting. In arranging for the convention, meetings have been held in many cities and towns in Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania and other States. These meetings have been addressed by Messrs. George, French, Milligan, Duncan, Robb, Thompson, Wylie, Campbell, McFarland, and others. Particular mention should be made of the long-continued, earnest and self-sacrificing labors of the two first-mentioned gentlemen.

The experience of the past few months of labor confirms the belief long entertained by many, viz.: that the progress of the movement to secure the Religious Amendment of the United States' Constitution will be measured by the thoroughness of its presentation before the minds of intelligent citizens. It is pre-eminently a movement based on important truth. It is a question the settlement of which involves the most fundamental principles of political science. To all the well established truths of political philosophy, and of constitutional law, as well as of Christianity, it makes its confident appeal. As its frankest opponents admit, it is but the logical carrying out in practice of the almost universally accepted truths of Christianity in regard to government. Hundreds of the most intelligent men, without any predisposition to favor the movement, have candidly acknowledged the argument for the religious amendment of our national Constitution to be perfectly conclusive. At nearly every meeting held, testimony of this kind is given. An able professor of science, at the close of a discussion of the subject in one of our cities, said: "I regarded the arguments against slavery as conclusive: but the arguments in this movement are even more cogent and irresistible." At

another meeting a clergyman thus expressed himself: "Up to this time I have been opposed to this movement. But I frankly state that this evening I have been convinced and converted." But it is unnecessary to multiply instances.

To help forward this good work, arrangements have been made for the most thorough and comprehensive discussion at this convention of the whole subject of religion and the state which has yet been given to the public. The following schedule of topics, with the names of the authors, it is believed will make good the foregoing statement:

The Relation of Education to Religion. By Dr. A. D. Mayo.

The Moral Character and Accountability of the Nation. By Prof. J. R. W. Sloane, D. D.

Neutrality of the State in Morals and Religion, a Thing Impossible. By Prof. Tayler Lewis, LL.D.

The Relation of the Written Constitution to the True Character and Welfare of the Nation. By Prof. O. N. Stoddard, LL.D.

The Proposed Amendment no Step toward Uniting Church and State, nor any Infringement of Rights of Conscience. By Dr. J. Edwards.*

The Practical Value and Effect of the Proposed Amendment. By the Rev. T. P. Ste

venson.

Other valuable addresses, of a more general character, will also be delivered.

To give the convention its due influence, the report of its proceedings should be published in convenient form, and widely circulated; and to profit by the impression it will leave upon the public mind, lecturers should occupy the open and inviting field in as large numbers as possible. It is to be hoped that this convention will take definite and thorough measures for the energetic prosecution of the work. The growth of this movement for the past two years has been something truly remarkable. By the spontaneous action of American citizens, without any organization or superintendence it has assumed its present importance. Let its friends give themselves to their work in combined and wise efforts worthy of the cause, and it is safe to predict that it will grow in volume and strength with a rapidity unequalled in the history of any other movement. As one of the leading Judges of this State, with whose presence and truly philosophical and eloquent address we are encouraged to-day, recently remarked: "Christian sentiment as to government in this country is crystalizing; and this amendment is the form it must take." Let it be ours to labor for the accomplishment of this aim, confident that, as another eminent Judge of this State declared, "As surely as God reigns in Heaven, and the Bible is His Word of eternal truth, this movement must succeed." The report was approved.

The Chair then appointed the following Committee on Resolutions and Business:

The Rev. R. Audley Browne, D.D.; the Rev. T. P. Stevenson, the Rev. A. Ritchie, the Rev. A. M. Milligan, and the Rev. D. McAllister.

Mr. Francis E. Abbot, of Toledo, Ohio, editor of the Index, asked permission to present a remonstrance against the object of the Convention. After a brief discussion he was requested to reduce it to writing, and present it to the Committee on Business.

The Convention then adjourned until 7 P. M.

* Dr. Edwards was prevented by sudden sickness from attending the Convention: See letters, page 14. For an abstract of his intended address, see pages 67-70.

EVENING SESSION.

The Convention reassembled at 7 P. M., Judge Hagans in the chair. The attendance was even larger than during the afternoon, and the proceedings were listened to with profound attention.

The exercises were opened with prayer by the Rev. Milton Wright, of Dayton.

The Rev. N. R. Johnston was appointed Assistant Secretary of the Convention,

The report of the Executive Committee of the National Association for the year 1871, was presented by the Chairman, the Rev. T. P. Stevenson, of Philadelphia. It was laid on the table for the present.

The Rev. A. D. Mayo, D. D., pastor of the Church of the Redeemer, (Unitarian), Cincinnati, was then introduced to the Convention, and spoke as follows:

I was glad to sign the call for this convention, and am glad to attend its meetings. It seems to me that no subject of political interest now demands a thorough discussion so much as the relation of our Republican government to. unsectarian Christian religion. I suppose, with the exception of a few statesmen of French philosophical notions, the great mass of the American people who formed our government agree substantially with the idea set forth in your call. The government of the nation and the States has always been administered in formal respect to these principles, whatever may have been the moral. tendencies of legislation. The vast majority of the Christian people of the United States to-day suppose that all you speak of is really in the government, though not expressed in the Constitution. The American people certainly believe that God is the author and Providence of our nation, and confess dependence on Him, and the obligation of the government to conform to His holy law. The people understand that this is a Christian country. The mass of the people. are Christian in belief. Our whole order of society and government is such as could only have grown up in a land where the people had reached a very: advanced and practical form of Christian faith. The standard of public morality, as far as theory is concerned, is the standard of Jesus Christ. The New Testament is regarded as the final authority concerning the highest life of The mass of Christian people are surprised and confused when they are told that our government and order of American Society have nothing to do with. religion—are purely "secular."

man.

If the mass of religious people are not interested now in your proposed amendment to the Constitution, it is because they think the substance of these ideas. is there already, and it is not worth the while to agitate the country to changethe phraseology of that instrument. But I believe the people will be compelled to do what you ask before many years, in order to defend both religion and liberty in this country from public disgrace. The Catholic priesthood is. fully resolved to force an acknowledgment of their infallible ecclesiasticism on the State, and thus to destroy religious liberty in America The "secular" party is as thoroughly determined to sever American society from all religious