The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-07-07
FOREIGN ITEMS.

Mexico Longing for the Gospel In September,
the Directors Of the American and Foreign Chris
tan Union determined upon inauguratng mis-
sion enterprise in the capital of Mexico, and
pledged $4,000 for its support during the year.
In December, under their appointment, the Rev.
q. Henry Riley left, and with him was sent large
press (Of the MeSsrS. Hoe for use, in publishing
tracts and also weekly journal, in the interest of
Protestant civilization as well as Christianity
Upon his arrival Mr.. Riley was warmly welcomed
by prominent officials and has had their sympathy
as one whose mission promises the greatest good
to Mexico. He has found men in abundance quail
fed to aid him in the work of printing, and in all
parts of the missionary work. From the press
sent out, Mr.. Riley has already issued thousands
Of four different tracts prepared by himself, as we'll
as a stirring weekly newspaper, conducted by a
native assistant in the interest OF an evangelical
Christianity. These are being diffuSed in the
capital, and through the country everywhere, pro-
ducing marked effect.
Mr. Riley writes:
There is a perfect hurricane of Protestant feel
ing ringing against the Roman Church. | feel
much as if | had suddenly found myself in the
time Of the Reformation. The great thing for US
to do is to plant Christian churches and institutions
here as rapidly as possible.
The influence OF the evangelical thought and
liberal ideas Of the United States, has been gradu
ally leavening this country with desire for some
thing like American civilization to take the place
of the idOatry, fanaticism, immortality, and false
teaching OF the ROmish priesthood AT length the
Liberal party, writing the words liberty OF wor-
ship aud entire severance of Church and State In
its constitution has nationalzed the Roman Church
property, worth about two hundred millions Of
dollars; emptied and abolished all converts; pro-
hLited professions and ecclesiastical robes i the
streets declared civil marriages to be lawful To,
day. beside these two parties a third formed of
earnest evangelical Christians counting already
its martyrs, has been raised up by Gods blessing,
through the circulation OF the Bible.
The RO,al Geographical Society held its annual
meeting on the oath of May. Its chief interest
consisted in the description given of observations
made during the late tour Of the Prince of Wales.
The Prince himself spoke, referring especially to
Sir Samuel Baker departure to assist the Viceroy
of Egypt in putting an end to the slave trade on
the White Nile. Professor Owen, who was with
the Prince in his late tour, gave an account OF his
scientific observations, and Mr. w. ii. Russell,
whose letters, have appeared at full length In the
Tines briefly spoke. Sir Roderick again expressed
his Sanguine hope Of the early return of Living
stone and said that he had been induced to remain
president another year chiefly in the hope of being
in the chair to welcome Dr. Livingstone We
earnestly trust that his expectation will be realised
but this becomes every day more doubtful
Renewal of Civil War in Japan Washington
,Htne 29.-Dispatchesr received at the Navy Depart
ment this morning announce the renewal Of the
civil war in Japan. The ram StOnewall, sold to
the japanese Government by the United States,
had been severely injured, and another, war vessel
lost, IN a severe storm on the coast.
The Evangelical branch of the Established Church
have started Church Reform Association,
with the special object Of revising the Book OF
Common Prayer by the excelsior of those passages
which assert the doctrine of sacramental grace,
and which High eburchmen consider of fundamental
Importance. Other objects sought are the reform
of the ecclesiastical courts, the removal Of the
abuses connected with patronage and the mOdlh
cation of the Act Of Uniformity,
soOtland.-The following report of the funds of
the Free Church was made to the General Assem-.
bly: Building fund e62,2 7Si Sustentation fund
eI45,776; Congregational funds el26, 245; College
fund el7, $50; Missions $50 033 etc. Total e42l,
CSC. The aggregate Of funds this year exceeds by
e26. OSl that Of the previous year, which was the
largest sum of any former year.
The General Assembly of the Established Church
reported the following sums raised during the past
year, viz; For education e23 AS; for home mis-
sionS, 81 ,407; for endowment, e33, 59l for for
eigu missions, e20 243; for other schemes "a ,9g2
total, el53,6SO being e267 $50 less than the Free
Church.
Scottish UniOn.-An Edinburgh correspondent
of the Philadelphia Presbyterian says:
"You will doubtless have received through the
Old-school delegates to the Scottish Free Church
Assembly, full reports of the proceedings, incud
ing the violent discussion Of the union question,
which, by the way leaves them further from union
than when the subject FIRST arose, six years ago.
Instead Of attempting to unite upon the simple
Standards, the terms of union" have become so
involved that it would puzzle Philadelphia law
yer to unravel them.
The truth IS every SoOtchman has an opinion
of his own, and gangs his aingait, and if he
can eouscientously keep in the road he goes over
a stle but in the end they all come out at the
Westminster Confession Of Faith and Shorter
Catechism. after the Bible OF course That is
the bridge they all meet upon-the only question
is, who has the right Of way?'
Sir Henry RawInsOn, the distinguished arch@o-
logist, maintains that Babylon is the site of the
Garden Of Eden, and that the Babylonian doeu
ments now extant give an exact geographical des-
cription of the scene Of mans first disobedi-
ence.
The present Duke Of Wellington is said to be one
Of the most diSSiI ated men in England, prema.
turely old and broken down, without the ability Of
an ordinary workman.