The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1872-09-04
a Protestant Mission and its Results.

1t is the nature of Christianity to be aggressive
and both Protestants and Roman Catholics are &C
tive and earnest in dfusing the principles of thei
| faith sending their missionaries to the farthes
parts of the world to bring the dark and benighted
to yield to their power. The zeal and devotion Of
the missionaries of Rome are well known and &C
knowledged. No more striking instances OF self
sacrifice and heroic fidelity to their convictions
even to persecution and martyrdom, can be found
than among those sent by the Propaganda to dis
tant and savage lands to plant the standard of the
cross And if numbers Of professed converts are
test OF success their records challenge admira-
ton and praise.
But when we come to look for the permanent
results of their self denying example and labors,
in the progress and culture of their converts and
their descendants, in the growth and development
of enlarged and enlightened IDEAS in the estab-
lishment of schools and seminaries and the lnstltu
tons of higher civilization, we are sadly dlsap-
pointed. DR.. D0llinger, the learned leader of the
Old Catholics, In his recent lectures at Munich,
calls attention to this marked deficiency of the mis-
sionary work of the Jesuits. He says that of all
their missions to Japan, Paraguay the savages of
North America, Greece Persia, the Crimea, and
Egypt, scarcely recollection now survives; while
Spain upon which they impressed their own spirit
so completely as to make it grand monastery,
where neither science nor the highest culture could
thrive, now produces nothing in literature, and
excepting Turkey, is the most retrograde country
IN Europe.
In striking contrast with these are the results of
Protestant missions wherever they are conducted.
However benighted and unenghtened the people
where these missions are established may be, they
are universally elevated by the teachings of true
faith, which awakens dormant minds as well as
purl6es the heart Cruel and savage tribes are
humanized and civilized, and Christian nations
spring out of barbarism
The Supplement of the Sandwich Islands
Friend for July presents striking instance of
this well ascertained fact. Its eight pages are en-
tirey filled with the detailed Report of the Ninth
Annual Meeting Of the Hawaiian Evangelical As
ISOLATION at Kawaiahao, Honolulu, June i, con-
tinuing in session ten days. 1t was composed of
the pastors and delegates of ffty-six Protestant
churches scattered through the kingdom, where,
within the lifetime OF some present. unbroken
heathenism, with all its darkness and cruelty, pre-.
vailed.
The existence of the body ITSELF so like the great
religious associations that annually meet here and
in Great Britain, is testimony to the elevating
influence of Christian missions; and the reported
transactions show that Christian civilization there
is reality That cannot be gainsaid.
The reports of the Home Department show that
the churches are increasing in liberality, in de-
sire for promoting education, particularly among
the girls, aud in creating and dffusing native
Christian literature. The total amount of contr-
buttons to religious objects was $33 536, of which
$40, 1886 were for their own foreign missions
Thirteen native pupils have been connected with
the theological school, and measures have been
taken for the establishment of permanent and
extensive theological seminary at Honolulu suita
BILE buildings, as we learn from The Friend. having
already been purchased. Great satisfaction is ex.
pressed with the Hawaiian Hymn book announced
in the last Messenger as published by the Ameri.
can Tract Society. which the report says lis gotten
up in good style, far surprising anything of the
kind which we have heretofore had, and is great