The New York herald., 1869-01-25
CHRISTIAN WORK IN SPAIN.


Society in ST. George'sChnrch.
There was large attendance last evening at St.
Georges church, corner OF Sixteenth street and
Rutherford place, OF friends OF the American Tract
Society to consider the work OF circulating Its Chris
tian literature In Spain.
After preliminary prayer and singing Rev. DR..
Stephen II. Tying rector OF the church, made an in
troductory address. They were all aware OF
the object for which they had met His
predecessor as rector Of this church was
among the original founders OF the AmerI-
can Tract Society. great work had since
then been accomplished by this Christian Crganiza-
tion. Its printed publications have been scattered
over nearly every section OF the habitabe globe.
One feature Of this society was the absence OF Sec
tarianism In its management. The hand OF afecton-
ate determination extended to all Christians.
Their great object was to spread broadcast the
teachings Of the Bible. They were 10 review to-
night the efforts in progress to spread in Spain the
publications OF the American Society," This was
most important field, and great and good work
was being there accomplished. Tney were TO
listen to the statements Of those perfectly conver-
SAINT with this field Of operations.
Rev. J. G. Fletcher gave series Of interesting ac
counts Of his personal experiences and
among the Protestant Christians OF Spain. This was
one Of the most wonderfully endowed countries In
Europe-a country four times as large as the State
OF New York. 1t is surrounded by three seas, and
thus early De came great commercial country. He
described its climate and products, showing the pleas
ing fertility OF its soil. Next he spoke briefly OF its
people and the characteristics derived from Its early
hen @ Of s ana me aamIus n men men
are now within Its boundaries population OF
TO- O00 OF which but 5000 900 can read and WRITE
Most OF this population are to all intents and pur
poses living In heathenish darkness. The prevailing
religion was Roman Catholic. 1t had been too
people an Idle. dissoiute and treacherous There
were this class OF Spaniards, as there are OF Amer
cans but most Of them were upright and Industrious
ings. From this he diverged to the subject OF per-
n suffered BY star ~ SPAN nep
pathetic narratives, including an account OF the
death in dismal dungeon OF Manuel Metamoros:
In the course OF his remarks regarding the present
denounced as untrue the stories 50 freely
circulated In the papers OF this country speaking dis
paragingy OF the moral character Of the Queen.
These stories, he said, originated 10 France. The
men now holding the rens OF government, he be-
lieved, would do right In conclusion, he showed
the state OF preparation In which the country now
was for receiving their religious tracts an and col
Christians in their behalf. Now was the time
to strike the blow there; now the time
TO rescue the people from the tyranny Of Roman
Rev. Mr.. Blackburn for several years missionary
in Brazil made the next address. Though this coun
try was somewhat remote from Spain, the people
were those speaking the Spanish or Portuguese lam
ne Of ess 70 as 's IN
ing half the ' population q south America. America
had converted thousands there to Christianity. lie
had known some OF these to go one hundred and
fifty miles to attend Protestant worship. What they
wanted there were more missionaries. In all that
country there were but nine Christian missionaries
who preached In the Portuguese language-about
one missionary to million inhabitants Less than
ten years ago the first missionary sailed from this
| country. Tney had IN this time organized four
muncants. Everything was ready for the lorna
ton OF other churches.
| rev. Dr. Adams followed in few remarks. Spain
was moving, and 10 was moving In the right direc-
Il tion. IL never moved backward. DIR. Tying ana
himself never expected to see In their day the ex-
ttnctlon OF American slavery and the establishment
| works had been accomplished. they were not
mans works, but the work OF God. There was
everything to encourage Christians In the present
condition OF affairs IN Spain. He reviewed the
! progress Of Catholicism, and alluded 70
French infdellty. la France inhdeifty got
its footnod from Its association with the sentiment
| OF liberty and equal rights. Revertng to Spain he
urged that we owed duty to Spain. In illustration
| Of this point he referred 10 painting he saw In
Italy representing the old legend OF daughter
nursing In prison her father. We must nurse Spain,
hearts were open to receive the truths OF Chris.
tianity.
Rev. Or. Ganse was the closing speaker He
dwet particularly upon the Importance In trying TO
evangelize spain OF bringing religious Influences
TO bear upon the Children. The American
Tract Society had primers suitable for this
class. Spain was weary Of despotsm--a despotism
OF State and Church. Roman Catholicism, he In
sisted, was working Itself out theres The yoke OF
priesthood had CALLED their necks; Gods great prov
ldence had thrown this land open TO Americans.
position. BE urged upon those present to contribute
llberallJ or their means to help forward the good
work.
Receiving contributions prayer and beuedictIon