The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-04-16
FOREIGN ITEMS.

Open TO Au-0ne of the greatest blows to the
Church Of Rome IN the Holy Cityis the passage of
oI By the Italian Senate, decreeing that Chris
tla0s Of all denominations may be candidates Tor
the vacant chairs In the Universities. Hitherto
the Professors have been either declared atheists,
or inialois;s denying the re 1t of free discussion
IN reigios.
AhSrsviation Presbyterian ministers in London
have very much eurtalled aud are curraiing the
length OF their prayers, especially OF the prayers
which follow the sermon. Oae popular divine has
done away with the after sermon prayer altogether,
and they say that since he has done so the number
OF bis hearers has grown by something ike twenty
per cent A similar process OF shortening is go
ing on in the Episcopal churches 10 some Of them
the halt Of the prayers are omitted and the clergy
men ind that while nobody complains, many of
the uncO gOid strongly approve the innovation.
Autobiography. The Scotsman understands that
the late Dr.. Guthrie left an unfinished autObiogra-
ply. which, however seems to have been to a GER
tam extent completed down TO the time Of the Dis
ruprion.
The Chinese are waging bitter war against the
M0hammedauS 10 various parts OF the FlOwery
Kingdom, and have Just succeeded in suppressing
One Of their States-that OF TalitoO-in the ex
IRENE southwest Of China, where it borders on
Birmsh. It Is one Of the most beautiful of the
countries OF Tuner ASIA, charming in climate rich
M SOIL, aud watered oy many rivers. lie contains
about hge thousand square miles OF territory, aud
some eight millions OF inhabitants. Ii carried on
a very rich trade by means of caravans with Biz
nah, and only needed independence 10 make it a
valuable possession to It's ruler, SOhman. But its
s.. eudor and beauty have largely disappeared, for
q heavy Chinese force has succeeded, after bitter
eoalest. Ia subduing IL. Soman sent last year to
BE- "a ms princes 20 cndeavor TO con-
DE d that power treaty OF commerce and
.fiendship. lt seems that the English were quite
inclined 70 listen to the proposal, tor they gave
70 the prince as a companion on his return tho
celebrated English traveller Cook who was TO IN
vestigate the affairs Of Tattoo on the spot. When
the embassy arrived at the frontier they learned
that the MahOmmedan realm had Just fallen IN,
der the blows OF the Chinese troops. But the
general belief Is that this is not the end of the
natter bat that other Mahommedan powers will
come % the rescue, aud that there will soon be a
general uprising of al the followers OF the Pro-
phet IN Central ASIA
Portuguese PrOtsstants. -There are greater diff
hcuues M the way OF toe Gospel IN Portugal than
IN Spain Several citizens Of Oporto have form
ed an association for reading the Bible. They
have 10 preacher a Scotch minister is devOting
his ume to the city OF Lisbon. 10 that city the
Spaaiards have a small chapel in which Evan.
gelical services are held every Sunday Hereros
de Mora Is the pastor Soon after he began his
ministry here, a priest became a convert to Pro-
testaotism. The latter now holds services at his
own house IN a neighbOring village Another
priest has since followed his example, aud will
take charge Of the services in the Portuguese Ian
guage.
Taking his Churoh.-The Rev c. H. Wheeler
Of the East Turkey Mission Of the American Board,
writes from Ichueh, where be was temporarily
hbOTing with a view to establishing Second
Church, as follows:
Since starting for this place | have received
three kilograms from Diarbekir saying Come
and help US. Our pastor has turned Episcopa
han, and is trying TO make Us so. The attentions
paid 20 pastor Tomas 10 America and England,
added 20 an English EoiscOpahan wife have appa-
rently turned MS head, aud now with 6rman
trom the Sultan in which be is styled bishop,
he begins his work OF division" As those per
sons in New York and England who gave Pastor
Tomas some $4,000 tor building the new church
ia Dlarhekir dId not require him 70 give account
70 bis church, and he 0id not DO 1t, the prospect
- that, though one OF the teegFams says, More
tnan 100 men are opposed to his new movement,
yet Tomas viii hold the church as being built 10
rs name aud With his money. Will our New
York friends who, against the protest of the Board
a1d as missionaries, gave the money TO Tomas,
n0te the result and try 70 be wiser in the iuture7
he nrst temperance Society under the auspices
OF the Church OF England organized by the
Archbishop OF Canterbury. IN London. on the 18th
OF February aud it Is proposed to bring to its sup
.srt ,Ae elure clergy and iaIty IN the KINGDOM
The movement springs cut OF a report recently
presented @ toe Lower House Of ConvoeatiOn
which shows that lntemperanee prevails to an
alarming extent throughout Great Britain, and
that TOE suppression Of this great national evil
saould be undertaken By the Church in its collec
L..
yet announced any very definite principles or plan
OF action; bur We judge, from observations made
oy some of the English journals, that the question
mas arise whether t0tQi abstinence shall be advO-
Gated. OF only such abstinence as viii subdue the
fash 20 the spirit