True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-10-20
Foreign Items.

As to to the British treaty we Know
at least that we are not 10 obtain less
han America, and cannot expect much
more, except the indemnify. The lega-
lion of he United States will probably
be established permanently at Shanghai,
ind their Ambassador will have the right
,f making one visit yearly to Pekin, and
of direct correspondence at all times with
he Government Of that capital. We
we're more indebted formerly to the Plen-
potentiary of America than to our own
for slipulatiOns in favor of Christianity
in the present treaties the Ministers, both
Of the United states and of France have
given particular attention to this subject,
and we believe have opened the whole of
China to the Missionary, and have OBJ
lained full toleration and protection for
native converts. Whether the empire
is to be also opened to commerce is
question to which all facts at present
known give an affirmative answer.
"We observe that one Missionary So
ciety has Just appointed clergymen to
British Columbia, the farthest west Of
America others have long been station
ed, by several agencies at ShangEi, in the
far east of Asia; and before long we may
hear of Missionary at Tiensin, and
even at Pekin. The islands and coasts
of the world are already 10 the occupa'
tion of Christendom and the interior of
its continents, even Africa and the en-
pire of China, are becoming accessible.
Whatever the inslrumentaliiies may be,
whether the enterprise of Livingstone,
or the sword Of the Western Powers, we
must recognize in these events tho devel-
opement Of some great Providential pur-
pose in which every nation and tribe Of
mankind are interested"
PRoTEsTANTIsM IN FRANcE.--NotwiIh.
standing the Emperor of the French has
entered into an alliance with the priest
party of France, to endeavor to crush out
Protestantism, as recently developed in
the outrage at Maubeuge, on the Belgian
frontier, one of the wealthiest most en-
lightened and populous departments in
France, where congregation of the Re-
formed Church were intercepted, and the
pastor with several Of his flock were
thrown into prison. The Debats, an
able French journal, with polished irony,
notwithstanding the people are bound in
the iron rule of military power, says
that while the Romansts have liberty
10 work miracles. the non.couformists
should be allowed to circulate the scrip
lures and worship God together. The
Protestasts pretend to no miracle but one
the moral miracle Of the conversion OF
unbelievers, and even Of Catholics by
the word of truth applied by the divine
Spirit"
We quote from the same out-spoker
paper the following: "At heavy expense
the Protsstanls disseminate the Bible ovel
the whole world; and, in their character
of Frenchmen a character which has no
yet been denied 10 them since 1880, they
now rejoice as much as the Catholic!
that the cannon Of France has opened
China to their Missionaries and to theil
distributors of the Bible. Well wha
the new treaty gives them the right 10 dt
in China is legally forbidden them il
the department of the Sarthe! Is there
no hope of imposing upon the Perfect
treaty equivalent to tha! conceded BY
the "Brother of the Sun and Moon :"
The Rev. Isaac Keeling, in his admi
rable Conference memoir of DR.. Bunting
published in the minutes of the Hull con
ference, 1858, gives the following graphi
portrait of this great man:
"The most precious gifts of nature
rich and copious endowments Of heavenl,
grace, and a fGvoraclo conjunction o
providential circumstances, improved will
extraordinary faithlulness and diligence
made him during more than half centu
ry, whether in or out of Office, 'mor
Memorable than his brethren. in degre
at once wonderful and indubitable.
A singnlarly well balanced mind, O
vast capacity,-conaec'eG with great on
ergy Of character --gave him elements o
personal influence, which from almost an,
starting point would have secured sue
cessful course.
There has rarely been so obyjous an
impressive an instance of the genera
fact, lhat-whi)e ordinary men are wait
ing for complete and improbable facilities
and allowing real opportunities to pas
unpercieved till the critical moment 70
using them has gone by-he who is alik
gifted with clear practical judgment an
unfaltering resolution discelns with Wig
liant eye and grasps with q strong hand
the possibilities of his actual situation
and accordingly strives, perseveres an
prevails"
The memoir closes with the subjoine
beautiful and impressive passage:
"That such massive grandeur Of char
acter should, through so long a course
have been combined with prevadn
spirituality Of mind, and with the sim
plicity andhnmility Of one who wake
, with God while living among men, is I
be ascrbed 10 the same mighty grac
which formed and sustained the maesli
! characters Of sacred antiquity the Lol
; Patriarchs, Prophets and Apostles, tn
: venerable Judges and glorious Kings, c
GoJ,e anc;ent nennle Tike them h