The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-07-05

in Brazil to understand how far-reaching are
the consequences of that law. Previously,
no Protestant could obtain burial in any Gem
etery in Brazil; and one of the potent in
fuences used by the priests to deter the peo-
pie from listening to the gospel, has been
the threat that if they embraced it, when
they died, they would not be buried in a
cemetery. This had no small effect upon
people who had been trained to regard this
as essential to salvation. The friends and
family of native convert have now the
right to demand burial place in any ceme-
terry in Brazil. / might thus continue to
speak Of facts illustrating the social and po-
litical life of the Brazilians, but what | have
mentioned is enough to show the steady pro-
gress of the popular mind towards complete
religious freedom.
| Let US now glance briefly at what has
been done to evangelize the Brazilians.-
The first attempt to plant the truth was by
body of Huguenots = the year 1855
Two years after they were Joined by another
company of their countrymen, accompanied
by two Calvinistic ministers. The whole
colony was betrayed by its leader, and these
faithful champions of the cross were mas
sacred by the Portuguese and their Indian
allies The missionary work now carried
on in Brazil did not begin until three centu-
ries had elapsed after these holy men had
laid down their lives.
1t may interest this audience for me to
state briefly some of the incidents which led
to the present missionary work in that coun-
try. There are many persons in this house,
| doubt not, who remember when the reli-
gious persecution began on the Madeira
Islands. The cause of that persecution was
this: A Scotch physician went to these
islands in 1885 with his wife, for her health
He was not minister of the gospel, but he
was an earnest Christian. Seeing the de-
plorable condition of the people, his heart
was stirred, and he began to teach the doc
trines of the gospel. Large numbers were
converted. Then in 1910 followed a furious
persecution, compelling large numbers of
them to flee from their homes. There are
now in the State of Illinois two or three
thousand of these people and their descend
ants, and two or three Presbyterian churches
where the gospel is preached in their native
language. After that Scotch physician es-
capped from these islands, he came to this
country for short time, and then went to
Rio Janeiro. In 1850 he began preaching
the gospel once more. It is from this year
that we are to date the present missionary
work in the Empire. There is now in that
city church of about two hundred mem
bers founded by this gentleman.
Next in order is that noble organization,
the British and Foreign Bible Society. It
has maintained for many years corps of
active colporteurs employed in circulating
the word of God through the towns and
cities of the Empire. At present, there are
five men thus employed. The Society has
a depository of the Scriptures in the city of
Rio. The american Sihla Society has also
rendered important service in the same great
cause.
The second mission to this country was
planted by the Old School Presbyterian
Church in 1859, mainly through the infu-
ence of the honored father who has just pre-.
ceeded me. The man selected to plant that
mission was the Rev. Mr.. Symington, now
dead. He began his ministry with an audi
ence of two persons. There is now in the
city Second Church numbering about one
hundred converts and with prospect of in
creasing usefulness. This mission has in
addition three or four churches at other
points, three or four native young men in
training for the ministry, and q email semi
monthly religious journal.
The third mission was established by the
Southern Presbyterian Church in September
1869. The point selected was Campinas,
one of the principal States in the province
of Sac Paulo Though it has been so recent
ly established, during the past year there has
been organized little church of from ten
to twelve native converts. There is also in
connection with it Sabbath School of about
thirty pupils. We labor under great diff
culties in carrying on this branch of the
work. First, because we have no Sabbath.
1t is true we have day called Sunday, but
it is the great business day in that land.
This makes the work of conducting Sab
bath School very serious matter. Then,
the Indifference of the parents, and the fact
that we have to create a literature for the
children and the parents too. Yet God is
blessing this agency, not only to the chill
dren but to their parents, for through the
children the Word of God and other books
are carried into families. There is also in
connection with this mission a night school
open every night, Sunday excepted. The
object of this school is to reach large class
of the population, which without some such
agency can never be brought under the in
Auence of the Scriptures. 1t is taught by a
Portuguese, memheE=aethe church: 1t
has had the good influence of increasing the
audience attending the Sabbath services. l
deem it proper however to say that Cam
pinas is but the centre of the missionary
field of this mission. 1t is expe' ted that
the gospel will be preached in the towns and
villages lying from twenty to one hundred
miles around. Among these l would men,
ton Itu, the seat of Jesuit school, Caparari
and Lamavia. This last place is point of
great interest at this time. In all these
towns people have manifested very great,
indeed remarkable desire to hear the Word
of God, even going so far as to demand their
right to hear it in the face of opposition on
the part of the priests. They have also
manifested very encouraging desire to pro.
cure the Scriptures. Did time admit, |
might enumerate many instances showing
how men have been brought to the knowledge
of Jesus Christ who have never heard SER
mon preached; who simply obtained copy