with their risen Lord, but can yet recognize that for other souls there are divers ways within the Father's grace. Must it not, however, be said that the function of Christianity conceived internationally among the races of the world is not to conquer and subdue, but to inspire, to infuse its own ideals and impart some of its own life; and in its turn perhaps to realize with quickening sense of brotherhood the unity of mankind, in that God hath made of one every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth,' and so win new confidence in its central truths? For this great end may this Council do its modest work. All gifts of thought and love, of faithful labour and lowly worship, can be laid upon this altar without fear or reserve. All service for human welfare finds here its consecration and support. Difficulties there are; they exist only to be overcome. Hazards there will be; they call for great ventures of trust. Let us find our sufficiency where prophets and saints have found it before us, a sufficiency that will not fail us, though we be not worthy to unloose the latchet of their shoes, and can do no more than give a cup of cold water to some thirsting brother on the way. Before us is the boundless future, and the vast processions of our race are already marshalling themselves to take their places, when we are here no more. What preparation shall we have made for them? When creeds decay and churches totter, shall they be left without a faith? Be it ours to open some blind eyes to discern the sanctuary not made with hands to unstop

C

some deaf ears to the voice of the Spirit heard more and more clearly within the heart of purity and reverence and love. Our stay and strength, our source and goal is God :

'That God, which ever lives and loves,
One God, one law, one element,
And one far-off divine event,

To which the whole creation moves.'

WELCOME TO FOREIGN DELEGATES.

BY THE REV. JAMES HARWOOD, B.A., LONDON.

MR.

R. PRESIDENT,-Through the kindness of my colleagues, I am entrusted with the great honour of introducing the Delegates who have come from other countries to take part in this International Council.

Beginning with our nearest neighbour, France, I need only refer to the portrait behind you (of Dr. Martineau) for an illustration of the immense benefit we have received from that country through the Huguenots. We welcome with great pleasure on this occasion M. Ernest Fontanès, the well-known pastor in Paris; Professor Jean Réville, distinguished son of a distinguished father; and Professor G. Bonet-Maury, one of whose literary offspring (Early Sources of English Unitarianism,') I may remind you, had for its sponsor Dr. Martineau. One who was introduced by that beloved and venerated leader needs no further words to commend him to your cordial welcome.

MM.

Professor Bonet-Maury, replying for Réville and Fontanès and himself, spoke of Eng

land as for three and a half centuries the refuge of the persecuted Protestants of the Continent, the land where freedom of conscience was most completely to be found, so that the imperial City of London was the best place for the first meeting of that Council. He recognized the common aim of pure religion and perfect liberty in which they were all united.

REV. J. HARWOOD.-Many of us, Sir, in days gone by, when selecting subjects for study or examination, had to answer the question,-French or German ? But in this Council we ignore such limiting alternatives. We are all Hegelians in the sense, at least, of aspiring after 'a higher unity.' We had hoped to have with us one of the most distinguished living theologians, Professor Pfleiderer, of Berlin, but to his regret and ours, engagements at his university keep him away. He will, however, be represented by a Paper to be read at to-morrow's Session. I have much pleasure now in presenting Dr. C. Schieler, of Köenigsberg, in Prussia, a man who has fought his own way into religious freedom.

Dr. Schieler spoke of the conditions of liberal religious thought in Germany, and said that it must not be supposed that because he was the only representative from Germany their liberal thinkers were few in number. Very many theologians were entirely with them in thought, and had the warmest good wishes for the Council, but did

not dare to confess it publicly for fear of trouble at home. But when the invitation came to his Free Congregation at Königsberg, they felt at once that they must be represented at the meeting, since their avowed position was identical with that of the Council.

REV. J. HARWOOD.-The Rev. James Hocart, of Brussels, is too well known at our Anniversary meetings to require any special introduction. I need only assure him, on your behalf, of our continued esteem for the faithful zeal with which he holds a post of great difficulty and isolation.

Mr. Hocart acknowledged the hearty greeting which he had received. He had always gained strength and inspiration from his visits to London, where his Unitarian friends had given him of their sympathy and support which had cheered him in his loneliness. The International Council would, he believed, prove of great assistance to the cause of a liberal and progressive faith on the Continent.

REV. J. HARWOOD.-There is no country that is more intimately associated than Holland with what may be called the re-birth of the Old Testament during the last generation. We are fortunate in having with us Professor B. D. Eerdmans, who occupies in the University of Leyden the chair which Dr. Kuenen made illustrious; he and the Rev. P. H. Hugenholtz, of Amsterdam, represent the Protestantenbond; the Rev. F. C. Fleischer, of