The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-03-26
FOREIGN ITEMS.

Earl RusssIs long promised book on Christianity
Is % appear 10 the course of March. Its tull tide
Is, The Rise aud Progress OF the Christian Re
hgiou 10 the West of Europe, from the regn of
Nberi1S 10 the end Of the Council OF Trent. The
noble Earl has managed TO compress what he has
60 say on this comprehensive theme within the
compass Of single octave volume.
French Indemnity TO Germany, amounting to $500
OOU 900 Is ABOUT % be paid TINS transaction re-
presents the most extraordinary financial transact
ton in history. When this last payment is com
pleied, one thousand millions Of dollars will have
been paid by France m thirty one month an aver
age OF tbiry-tw0 millions per mouth, atOrding a
striking commentary upon the wonderful resources
OF the tsench people.
Portuguese Protestants. There are greater diff
culiies n the way OF the Gospel in Portugal than
10 Spain. Several citizens OF OoortO have formed
an association for rea3lng the Bible They have
no preacher. A Scotch minister Is deVoung his
time 70 the CITY ct Lisbon In that city the
Spanirds have q small chapel IN which Evangelical
services are held every Sunday HererOs de Mora
Is the pastor, Soon after be began his ministry
here, priest became a convert TO Professionalism.
The latter now holds services at his own house 10
a neighbouag village. Another priest has since
followed his example, and Will take charge OF the
services M the Portuguese language.
Railroad TO Jerusalem-Surely the World is Nov
ing-Ine JatfA correspondent of the JellReh, a
newspaper published at Beirut writes under date
Of January 81, 1873 saying, You have before
heard from me OF the railroad 10 be built from
here to jerusalem have now to add that recent
ly the superintendent Of the railroad came by the
Austrian steamer, aud quite a company OF his
w0rkmen came before him. The first thing to be
dono, as / have learned IRON the most authentic
source, Is the building Of a suitable harbOr for land
irg the machinery necessary 70 such an undertaking
TINS Is a matter OF very great qualification to Us
as DC Is well known that the har0Or OF Jafal Is the
worst on the coast, and such that 10 the shgheS
storm vessels cannot land passengers at ALL JaHate:
aud Jerusalemites are rejoicing greatly over tins
news The work in the harOOr Is TO commence
next week, and one thousand laborers are required
10 carry u on.
songless Psopls-A recent traveller says
What Always lmpresses me more than anything
else IN Egypt and Palestine has been the entire
absence OF cheerful OF exhllaFating music, espe
cially iron chIdJe0. You never hear them sing
ing M the huJS. never heard song that deserves
the name IN the streets or houses OF Jerusalem
Oae heavy burden of vOiceleSs sadness rests }Ol
that l0rsaken land. The daughters Of music hav
been brought low. The mlrth Of taDretS ceaseth
the noise Of them that ri ice endeth; the Joy 0
the harp ceaseth.
Francis Joseph Of Austria offers prize Of 6v
Thousand h0uus 50 OOOl 70 the journalist who VII
write the best editorial on Austrian affairs IN To
German language. Sand editorial is not TO contain
more than one thousand words Ii Is lmmaterla
what political party the writer belongs 10. Tn
Vienna papers think that there vii be severa
thousand competitors for the prize.
Within the last ten years nearly 300, 900 heathe
have embraced Christianity.