The Sun.
London, England, 1869-12-31 00:00:00

CHRISTIANITY IN THE EAST.

The English Independent, under the heading " The
Dawning in the East," observes that Madagascar is not the
only quarter of the missionary field from which unex-
pected news of encouragement has come. The two
Kings of Siam, who were crowned at the end
of 1868, have recently given an audience to
the American missionaries, to whom they pro-
mised both countenance and help ; and public
proclamation has been made that all their subjects,
of whatever grade, are free to embrace Christianity
if they choose to do so, " without any manner of molesta-
tion in person or property." From the sacred city of Be nares,
the stronghold of idolatry in Bengal, upon which the
preaching of European missionaries for many years seems
to have produced literally no impression, the Rev. M. A.
Sherring reports that a pundit has suddenly begun pub-
licly to attack the teaching of the Brahmins. Great
crowds gather to listen as he explaing that the Vedas give
no countenance to idolatry, and that the Puranas which
do are worthless. One rich Hindoo is said to have been so
impressed by the addresses of the reformer that he has
destroyed the temples upon his lands. At the same time
comes news of several native Christians who have been
engaged in evangelising itineraries with remarkable results.
The general tenour of the news from China also is satis-
factory, but 'of missions in that country we shall have
more to say another week.

The Pall-Mall Gazette understands that the ques-
ion of throwing open the Civil Service to public competi-
tion is at the present tittle under "serious consideration."

The Bishop Winchester has been appointed chair-
man of the Ritual Commission, in the absence of the Arch-
bishop of Canterbury through illness.

It is rumoured that the Treasury authorities eon'
template taking the Welsh fasting girl's case into their
hands, and instructing counsel to conduct the prosecution.

The Election Commissioners' Reports, says the
Globe, are said to be in favour of the disfranchkement of
Bridgewater and Beverley, but not of Norwich.

Sir Stafford Northcote, M.P., and Earl Fortescue
attended the demonstration at Exeter, on Wednesday, is
honour to Rishop Temple. Dean Stanley sent a letter,
stating that he was prevented by a severe cold from bei"
present.
A statement has appeared in the Manchester
Guardian, and copied by other papers, that the
Government, acting on the advice of Mr. Goschen, declined'
to render any aid in furtherance of emigration. The Pa
ll
Mall Gazette is asked to say that this statement is incorrect.
The death is announced of Edward Lord Crofton,
at Mote Park, County of Roscommon, on Monday. Lord
Crofton had been indisposed, but his state of health did 14
create much apprehension. He was, however, rather ill
about mid-day on Monday, and expired the same night•
Lord Crofton was 63 years of age.

The Northern Daily apress reports a boiler ex:
plosion, resulting in the loss of two lives, which occuea,.
about. half-past seven o'clock on Wednesday morning "
Bewick Main Colliery, near Lamesley. Besides the fatalitieo
mentioned, a man,
employed at the colliery in the capacity'
of wayman, was very severely scalded, and doubts are oil-
tertained as to his ultimate recovery.

The new Suffragan of the Archbishop of Canter'
bury will in all probability take the title of Bishop of Maid-
stone or Bishop of Croydon. Amongst the names promi-
nently mentioned as those from whom his Grace will elect
his two aro Archdeacon Parry, the Rev. C. F. Tarver, Vicar
of St. Peter's, Umet; the Rev. W. F. Erskine ICnowleiii
Rector of Saltwood ; the Rev. J. Hodgson, Vicar of Croy
don ; and the Rev. Josiah Bateman, Vicar of Margate.
nf
The Globe announces that Colonel Tottenham, -

Pl 5. Berwin, Llangollen, the chairman of the County Coo"
servative Association for Merionethshire has been by the
,
Conservative party unanimously invited to stand for. the
county, which he has consented to do. Colonel Tottentaro °
high position and popularity iu the county leads us to ex-
pect;
that the county will be rescued from the hands of th
Liberal party.