Evangelical Alliance

( Eccl. ) An a ociation of Christians of various denominations, formally organized in London in 1846. Its object is to promote unity and co-operation among the different sects of Protestants, and to unite their efforts against the advance of Romanism and infidelity. Their object is also to encourage and strengthen laborers in the cause of Christianity in all parts of the world, particularly such as are struggling with difficulties and hardships. They also exert themselves in behalf of religious toleration in all parts of the world. The branch a ociations of the Alliance are seven in number, as follows: 1. Great Britain and Ireland; 2. United States of North America: 3. France, Belgium, and the French portion of Switzerland; 4. Northern Germany; 5. South Germany, and the German portion of Switzerland: 6. British North America; 7. West Indies. - The members of the Alliance are such as hold evangelical views on the following points: the divine inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, and the right, of private judgment; the Trinity; depravity of human nature; the incarnation; justification by faith alone; of being evangelical. Evangelism, n. The promulgation of the Gospel; evangelical religion or doctrine; evangelicism. Evangelist, n. [Fr. évangéliste ; Gr. euang-gelistes. See EVANGELIC.] One who brings good tidings; a preacher of the Gospel; a mi ionary. - Hence the writers of the four gospels are called evangelists, because they proclaim the glad tidings of salvation through Christ. E. was also the name given to a particular cla of Christian teachers chosen by the apostles to preach the Gospel, and ranking after the apostles and prophets, but before the pastors and teachers. They had no particular flocks a igned to them, but travelled from place to place under the direction of the apostles. This order is supposed to have been merely temporary, like that of the apostles and prophets; and the term is now only applied to those writers in the New Testament who have given us the history of Christ: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Matthew's is a igned by different authorities to various dates between 38 and 64; Mark's to 60 or 63; Luke's to 63 or 64; and John's to 97 or 98.