The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-03
FOREIGN ITEMS.

equal to what some colleges had received during
period of fifty years In addition to this, at least
400 young men had taken instruction in the even
ing classes, some of whom had joined colleges of
other denominations One hundred aud seventy
eight students bad gone from the College to settle
in the ministry, out of which number l67 still re-
manned in the work, and only the remaining eleven
had either died or left the work. Forty three dis
tinct new churches had been formed by the agency
of the College, to accomplish which few people
could count the amount of toll involved, and the
failures which had resulted. twenty-five new
chapelS had been erected as the result OF the
agency; and an effort was being made to establish
churches in eleven destitute districts Last session
there were eightytwO students in the College, and
la were under tuition in the evening classes
Rev. James Spurgeon brother OF Charles, Is
President
Presbyterianism in Australia-The fourth Gene
raj Assembly of the PRESBYTERIAN church of New
South Wales met on the 18th of October at Sny
der The deliberations extended over eight days,
and embraced a great variety of topics In this
body there are now seven PreSbyteries, comprising
fifty two ministers with charges, seven ministers
without charges, four ordained missionaries labor
ing under direction of the Home Mission Church
Extension Committee, and one under the direc
ton of the Heather Missions Committee. The
new Moderator In his opening address, took a
wide survey of the work they had to discharge,
and said that PreSbyterianism had much to do in
the colony.
Snow in Canada-While so little snow has fallen
the present in this vicinity, in Canada very
severe storms have swept over the country.
The Quebec Legislature adjourned the 10th
instant, for want of a quorum, only twelve mem
berS being present. A snow storm stopped the
trains and prevented the members from reaching
the capital. The snow in the streets on that day
was eight feet deep.
The fall of snow this winter, in Canada, shows
an increase OF 1871 inches over the mean depth
during the last twenty years The entire amount,
if it had lain it fell, would have been about ten
feet At present the snow is four feet deep in the
fields. Several extensive lumber merchants in the
Ottawa district have closed their operations for
the winter, owing to the difficulty of conveying
provisions to their men In the woods.
Yet in Ontario canada West, there has been
no unusual fall Of snow this winter.
Mr.. Bayard Taylor, in Patnams Magazine, is
responsible for the statement that the largest
kitchen n the world has been erected on the banks
OF the Uruguay river in South America, for the
purpose OF furnishing the world with Liebig's ex-
tract Of meat. 1t covers 20 200 square feet; each
Of the boilers will contain II 900 pounds of flesh;
and eighty head of cattle must be slaughtered
every hour to supply them.
Cuba-The revolution is daily on the increase.
1t already holds halt the island-all the East, and
is spreading rapidly throughout the centre to the
West. A Provisional Government has been formed,
and an agent sent Washington to obtain belligerent
rights. Independence, total and complete, Of
Spain is the first object, with view to ultimate
annexation to this country. Slavery has been
abolished, and the negroes are many of them in
the army of the insurgents. The cholera is now
raging, and the yellow fever will soon set in and
sweep off the Spanish forces as fast as they arrive
Rev. George John Craig Duncan, D. D., of the Eng
liSh Presbyterian Church, died in Dumfries, Scot.
land, on the 2lst of December 1868, in the sixty
third year of his age He was the son of Dr.
Duncan of Ruthwell, well known in Scotland and
other lands, He was pastor in the Presbyterian
church in North Shields for time and was then
minister of the church in Greenwich, London, uu-
til he retired from the laborS Of the ministry. He
was held in high esteem in England and Scotland,
and was faithful, earnest, courteous Christian
gentleman.
At Lorena, Brazil, the missionaries are no longer
prosecuted. Their case was brought to the atten
ton Of the government, which has since extended
its protection to Tn IN, and religious liberty is now
likely to be maintained. The chief obstacle to
success in South America is found in the malice of
the Catholic priesthood, who instigated this per-
SecutiOu. In Chill petition is circulating, beg
ging the government to prohibit the circulation of
Protestant tracts,
The Christians of Honolulu have sustained severe
loss in the death of Rev. Lorrin Andrews for many
years a missionary to that island He was the
author Of the Hawaiian Dictionary, defining nearly
1000 words, translated a portion of the Bible
into the language, served as a Judge for some
time, and for many years acted as Secretary of
Prlvy Council His long life Of usefulness and
honor came to peaceful close.
Gold has been discovered in extensive deposits
in Sutherlandshire, Scotland, and the excitement
rivals the cOmmOtlon created in California and
Australia. There are one hundred and fifty dig
gers at work.
Hymns.-A writer in an English magazine shows,
from an examination of seven hundred and fifty
different hymn books that Isaac Watts was the
author of twO-6fthS Of the hymns which are used
in the English speaking world. He adds, that
"the only criticism on a hymn which is worth any
thing, is that which the universal voice of the
Church pronounces by accepting or rejecting it.
The judgment of the great heart of Christianity
Is ever sound.
The Cooke Memorial Assembly Hall-Messrs. Ro-
bert Cory and Sons, of Belfast, have subscribed
nual meetings of the Irish Presbyterian Church,
as a memorial Of the late DR.. Cooke.
The American Church at FlOrencs.-A new chapel
has been rented and furnished, that can accom-
modate two hundred persons. Divine service has
been held every Sabbath morning and evening,
and a new musical instrument has been purchased.
All denominations worship together In agreeble
harmony. The expenses have been paid by sub.
scriptiOns by Americans In the city and the ordi
nary church collections.
The Evangelical school now located in Piazza
s. Croce has about three hundred pupils, and is
the largest Protestant institution in Italy. 1t
derives Its support chiefly from American beneyo-
lence.
There is also an orphan asylum in Florence, uu
der the special care OF the ladies of the above
church. The buildings for its use are located
about a mile from the city, are OF ample dlmen-
sions and will accommodate fifty or sixty orphans.
The theological school in Morsovan, little south
of the Black Sea, under the control Of the Ameri-
can Board, has just licensed Its first graduating
class Of seven young men.
There are at present about 300 900 Bibles in cir
culaton among the Turks which are widely studied
In Venice the Waldensian Church OF the Palazzo
CavagneS has been enlarged aud altered so as to
accommodate 500 persons The church was opened
for worship on Christmas The church has many
active, working members.
Union Meetings in LOndon.-At the invitation of
Low Church Episcopahans Wesleyans, Presbyte-
ranS COngregatOnalists, and others, DR.. Newman
Hall has consented to conduct series OF afternoon
and evenings services in London on the plan of an
uusectarian meeting. The large ball in which the
services are held is crowded with hearers.
Urquiza, ex dictator of the Argentine Confeder-
alton, is one Of the richest men in the world. In
his palace are canary bird cages worth thousands
Of dollars each; and upon his estates there is in
progress an artificial lake which has already cost