The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-08-18
Progress of Protestanism.
CHRISTIANITY IN EGYPT.

The July number of the Princeton Revieao con-
tains an interesting sketch of the labors of the
English and American missionaries We copy a
few passages:
Protestant effort in Alexandria emanates from
three special centres. There is the Episcopal
Church for the English residents of that commu-
Mon, the Scotch Presbyterian Church for dissent
ers, and the American Mission Establishment for
all and sundry. but especially the Arabic speaking
population. Then there is an agency of Swiss
mission, and two or three schools for natives pre-
sided over and conducted by Protestants.
1.-The work of the Scottish Presbyterian Church
began in 1853 as branch of the Church of Scot
lands Mission to the Jews, but the missionary
having been appointed consular chaplain, his chief
energies have since been given to the dissenting
populations and very largely to that portion con-
nected with the shipping From the migratory
character of the people, fruits of such labor are
very little seen, but there has been, in many res
poets, considerable encouragement. The town
congregation for the most part consists OF English
Independents and few Scottish Presbyterians,
although their numbers are not what they ought
to be. The blight Of the city appears to tall on
all who enter it, and even the Scotch, with all their
home training, seem to care less than many others
for religious ordinances.
"Of Protestant establishments there was for
merly in Cairo the headquarters of mission es-
tablished by the Church Missionary Society of
England, but it ceased to exist several years ago,
and the only institution now directly supported by
English money is an educational seminary presided
over by lady-Miss Whateey, daughter of the
late Archbishop of Dublin. Here boys and
girls school, for Moslems and Christians indiscr.
minately is carried on with great energy; nearly
one hundred and fifty of the former and over fifty
of the latter being in daily attendance, while, by
the distribution of books and other humble labors
of one or two lay agents, considerable amount of
religious and moral light is disseminated.
"But the institution in Egypt which is doing
the work of the Gospel On the largest and most
thorough going scale is the American Mission, as
it is called: Commenced some twelve years ago
by the settlement in Cairo OF single missionary,
who confined his instructions to those whom he
could gather into his own house, it was gradually
extended, till now it has to greater or less extent
overspread the whole land. In all the chief towns,
such as Alexandria, Cairo Mansoura, Osiout, mis-
sionares have been stationed, schools have been or
ganized, the Gospel preached, and the Scriptures
circulated. And not to these towns alone have
their labors been confined, but taking them as
their basis of operations, the missionaries have ex-
tended their work to the whole district of country
lying around, while periodically journeys have been
undertaken to those outaying parts of the country
otherwise inaccessible, for the sake of preaching
and circulating the word. The progress of the
mission has been gradual but to all appearance it
has been sound and sure.
1.-The mission, as such, was established and has
been wrought and supported by the United Pres
byteran Church of North America, although in
more instances than one the liberaity of the
churches in Scotland and Christians in England
has been laid under contribution for its assistance
At the present time there force of eight ordain
ed missionaries stationed at different parts of the
country, and associated with them are three female
missionaries. In and for the schools which have
hitherto formed prominent part in the mission
work teachers have been trained from the youth
of the land. and now there are eighteen male and
fifteen female preceptors many of them accom-
plished and apt to teach; while proceeding in the
same way with regard to the supply Of the pulpits.
the missionaries have been training young men in
general and theological education and pastoral
duties, so that now there are eight native Droba-
TONERS or preaching assistants. One has even been
called, ordained, and settled over congregation
which has beeen completely organized with its staff
of elders and deacons. Another agency, and one
which is likely to be abundantly instrumental, is
the printing establishment which has been set up
in Cairo. In Arabic there is or was few years
ago absolutely no Christian literature Previously
to this century there was no demand for it; since
reading was an accomplishment little cultivated by
the Christians. Now, however, that an educated
youth are growing up, it is necessary that books
both Of an educational and religious character be
provided for their perusal; and accordingly the
Mission Presbytery has delegated one Of it's num-
Der to give his whole strength to the work of pre-
pairing and editing materials for, and generally
experimenting the work of book-printing"