The New York herald., 1870-05-31
The PROTESTANT MOVEMENT IN MEXICO.

Rapid Strides Of the MissiOns-Inte resting
Details Of the Advance of Religious TOle-
rance.
The Methodist Preachers Association was enter
tanned yesterday by the Rev. DR.. Butler, the Rev.
Mr. Riley and Major Brown, who delivered addresses
on the growth Of Professionalism in Mexico From
these addresses 1t appears that there in that
country flty-twO Protestant congregations where a
few years ago, Protestant deniedlthe rights of
Christian sepulture. The American yand Foreign
Christian Union six years ago sent out Miss Ran
kin, pious and educated New England lady, who
was very kindly received among the Mexicans, and
she has organized and now superintends four
teen societies. Up to that time, and, indeed
until the downfall Of Macmillan, min
ister of Protestant denomination could not
gain hearing among them, but there existed gal
ihntry enough among them TO secure q lady nom
persecution and insult Since that time the govern
ment Of President Juarez has guaranteed civil and
religious Liberty to ALL and though they have to bear
local prosecutions and Insults, the cause still pro-
gresses iavoraby. Five priests have been converted
ana there are great many uative young men anxious
to enter the mission field, provided they can be
guaranteed merely support to the extent OF about
$3.50 u year. The venerable and eloquent Ponce de
Leon, who is looked upon as a second st. Paul,
travels everywhere preaching and organizing socie-
ties and all that he receives Is ten dollars month
Eighteen months ago the Rev. Henry c. Riley, pastor
OF the Spansh-American church OF this city, and a
native OF South America was sent out to superin-
lcllu tilc ITOlcsIlub COupItRdtOuS III HIS
command OF the Spanish language this vernacuar),
let him at once into sympathy with the Mexlcans,
and he has organized tnirtyeght congregations and
maintained Protestant worship among them at his
own expense. Himself and Major Brown, who has
spent six years In Mexico, are now here appealing
TO the American churches for aid to purchase church
editces for these congregations. The republican
government OF Juarez having cOnfscated the church
and convent property OF the Roman Catholic Church,
offers for sale such are not needed for the actual
wants OF Catholic congregations, and the fund Cre-
ate1 by this sale Is pledged to the support OF popular
OF Mexican Professionalism during their brief visit
here have raised $4,000 for this purpose wealthy
Jew, in Monterey to show his appreciation OF what
Professionalism has done for his race paid So 200 in
gold for Of the finest Jesuit churches in that city,
and donated 1t to the PrOtestants and a cOngrega-
ion Of over 1900 persons worship therein every Sab
bath day.
The family of Senior Romero, one of the wealthes
in the city OF Mexico have established church In
their house which now numbers ffty-fve members.
year ago Mr. Riley visited them and preached in
their par0r to a few friends gathered there Sub
sequently Mis-. Romero procured a Bible, and while
reading the Ten Commandments she found that
every one Of them mad been violated by the priests
of the Catholic Church, aud that the second, for
bidding ldolatry, had been omitted altogether. Snc
Immediately destroyed her pictures OF the Virgin
and saints and over the manIe in her par0r placed
portrait OF the Mexican eagle, surrounded by the
Ten commandments. Her husband afterwards be-
came convert and Is now one OF the leaders 0i
Professionalism. Other interesting Incidents were re-
lated and the American churches were invited ~
aid In the growth OF Professionalism In Mexico.