The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1872-08-07

fact that Catholic governments do the like. This
SchlSm Is headed by one kaSangian who is, unfor-
tunately biShOp-the bishop OF a small diocese
of Antioch, in Syria aud now you see how God
frequently takes into His own hand the punish
ment Of the wicked. A iIe broke out some time
since in the city Of Antioch. and his episcopal
residence was burned to the ground.
If fire, which burns up a bishops residence, is
judgment from heaven, what shall we say of a
revolution which takes away the Quirinal from a
Pope2
It is Said that the editorship Of Good Words,
made vacant by the death of DR.. Norman Macleod,
viii be offered to Canon Kingsley.
The Famine in Persia.-Rev. G. W. COan writes
from OrOOmiah, under date of May 9th, that there
Is no abatement Of suffering from famine in that
stricken country, but that the horrors of canniba
ism are fearfuly prevalent Here is portion of
his letter:
The famine still RACES, and accounts from Hama
dan represent fearful state of things there
Cannlbalism Is awfuly prevalent; little children
are decOyed one side, killed and eaten A cores
pOudent from Teheran writes us, that it has been
computed that LOG 600 have died in that city and,
it should be remembered, many Of these were ref
ugees from districts worse off. The writer says
that il Is probable that about 600 900 of the in
habitants Of Persia have persisted. l have not yet
heard that any plague has appeared save this fear
tul ScOurge OF famine.
Singular Piece Of intelligence comes by the
regular nails ron Japan, by which it appears
that the government Of that empire has decided
upon the PRONUNCIATION of a new form of religion
upon careful consultation with the most noted ex-
pOnents Of each sect and all will be compelled to
conform thereto. The new religion will be enlght-
ened, simple, and adapted to common sense, and
is likely to meet the approval Of all classes"
Or. Guthrie in Rome.-Dr. Guthrie's health is
much better than it was, and he is this winter to
act as chaplain IN the Free Church of Rome. 1t
is said he Is looking out series of sermons on the
Epistle to the Romans, 70 preach in the Eternal
City.
An American residing in England has lately sent
one Thousand dollars to the American Home Mis-
sionary Society, TO be divided equally among the
wives OF twenty home missionaries.
The JelCisb Times mentions of the return of
Prot Gratz and AesSrs. Levy, Potash, and Colts
chalk from Palestine. Their report is set down by
The JelCiSh Times as additional argument against
the folly Of encouraging the emigration OF the
Jews to a country which has no other claim than
that of a venerable monument of the past''-
There are now, 1t appears, about l6 900 Jews liv.
ing 10 Palestine, and "and their average state of
culture IS much below that Of their fellOR-relgon-
lists in Europe. They have no visible means of
support, spend their time in ideness PRAYING and
Misunderstanding, and foolish pining and signing on
the ruins of the Temple, eking out miserable ex.
lstence by the charity OF the Jews of Europe,
America, and Australia" CuriOusly enough, the
memorial OF their visit by Prot Gratz and his com
paniOns also suggests the general elimination of
Jewish prayer books OF the portions referring to
the hopes OF Israel in the restitution of the Holy
Land to the possession of Israel and the rebuild
mo Of tho Ianula bv llfvina DroviJoooo
Times considers it mot only folly but crime
20 feed the slckly Imagination of poor, ignorant
people by the hallucnation; as if one spot on
earth had greater value IN the eyes Of God and
prayers sent up TO heaven from a certain locality
ind sooner hearing from the Throne Divine"
The Upper House of the Convoeation of Canter-
bury have disposed of the debate on the Athana-
sian Greed By appointing Joint committee of both
Houses 60 consider the present aspect of the sub
iect and the use Of the creed IN the public services
This was the Bishop Of Winchester's motion.
Lord shafosbury says that the complete list of
signatures appended TO the declaration respecting
the Athanasan Greed amounts 70 7l34, inclusive
OF So peers and $50 members Of the House of Com
mons. The proceedings in COnvocation, Lord
SbatlesOury writes, "ShOW that the laity have no
hope from that quarter pass over the light and
iaunty tone IN which one bishop spoke of the me-
moral addressed TO the two archbiShOpS, and | re
ply simply 70 the remark of the Bishop of Gou.
cester, who asked IN friendly spirit what was the
extent Of our machinery, that we did not under.
take personal canvass and that had we done So
the result 10 names would have been hundred !
lola larger. Que thing has become manifest from |
the late mOvement-that the great bulk OF the laity
are determined henceiorWard TO take the reform Of
matters ecclesiastical into their own hands.
one of the most prosperous stations of the Lon |
don Missionary Society is at Hankow, In the heart
of China, where the native church, though but ten
years old, numbers 22O members.
Birds of a Feather The managers of the APP
preaching Congress Of Liberal Catholics, to be !
held at Munich Germany, have invited two bish- |
OBS Of the English Church, and one Of the EpiscO
pal Church IN this country to attend as isltOrs
Bishop Wittingham, of Maryland, has been select
ed to represent the American Episcopal Church, |
and it Is understood he has accepted the invitation
and viii attend. He became identified with the
tractariau movement at Oxford University from
its inception, and has ever since been regarded as
one of the foremost of the preateS of the High
Church party in the United States He has also
been a strong advocate tor union between the Lib
eral Catholics OF Europe and the English Eplsco-
pal Church, as the only proper solution OF the
struggle now going on in the bosom OF the Roman
communion. He Is, moreover, one OF the ablest
Of American bishops. These antecedents aud sym
pathies OF Bishop Nottingham have undoubtedly
led 20 his selection as the most fit person to repre-
sent the American Episcopal Church in the Munich
Congress, aud his eOunses and influence there will
be duly regarded. -ErcbORge.
The General Assembly of the Canada Presbyte-
rian Church met at Hamilton on the 4th ult., and
the Synod of the Church Of Scotland In Canada
on the following day at Kingston. The sittlngs OF
both bodies lasted a fortnight. At the meetings
of the former, which is the most extensive and
influential it was stated that on the 3lst March
last there we're sos ministers on the rolls of Pres
byteries, and that families connected with the
church amounted to % 9l4, aud OF members 49,,
or. The total contributions for congregational
purposes were S403 CPS; for all the schemes, SAL,
900. and for benevolent purposes, $40, 40, being
an increase over last year for all purposes Of Sl3,
300. The use Of instrumental music gave rise to
some discussion; and 10 was ultimately resolved,
by a majority Of 50 to 81, to enact no law on the
subject but to allow those congregations who
wished such music TO introduce Il, due regard
being had TO their peace and to simplicity of wor
Shin At the Synod IL was stated that the number
of CONGREGATIONS on their roll amounted to l29
and that lO6 of them had ministers; but as only 81
had sent in returns, no complete statistical report
was presented. The question OF union was before
both bodies. and was discussed for two days. the
result being the poStponement Of Its consideration
for another year. on the ground principally that no
agreement could be come to IN reference to the
question Of collegiate education.
Mourning in MsxioO-The Mexican people gen.
erav seem TO realize that their nation has met with
severe loss in the death OF President Juarez
AT Matamoras, Camargo, Monterey, Saltilla and
AN the leading places reached by the telegraph,
there have been spontaneous demonstrations OF
sorrow and a universal display OF mourning. The
sorrow must be intensified BY fears and doubts as
TO the future Of the country under the guidance OF