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

Hsathenism Melting Away.-A correspondent OF
the Chicago Tribune writes from Yokohama that
Z" the American missionaries now here feel strange
sensation as they look about and see how ancient
heathenism is melting away by the marvellous
change OF q national regime, and the way seems
open for the extension of the best influences oil
Bible Christianity" The government appears to
be restrained from publishing decree OF absolute
liberation By three obstacles; the remembrance OF
what the country suffered three centuries ago IRON
Roman Catholic aggression; uncertainty as TO the
manner Ia which decree will be received by the
people and uniriendy mobiles, and apprehension
lest the prestige of sthe Mikado being directly
descended from the gods may be impaired
Temple of Diana,-Mr Wood, the explorer of the
site of the Temple of Diana, writes home that the
excavations we're resumed in September, and he
has made several fresh and important discoveries.
one of them being "a large drum OF sculptured
column at the extreme eastern extremity, with re-
mains OF six human figures, life size. His dlscov-
cries have enabled him 10 complete the plan OF the
Temple, which Is now found TO have been octostyle
that is having eight columns in front, and
adorned externally with one hundred columns
nearly six feet in diameter" lie hopes before
long, TO send number OF the stones to the British
Museum The old world is now fast becoming un-
buried, aud with every new revelation of Its long
concealed relies, we have some new confirmation OF
the divine record.
Renewing the Question Mall, the member
OF Parliament who perSlstently opposes the union
OF Church and State, has glveo notice that be
shall move a resolution that the establishment by
law OF the churches of England and Scotland In
wolves a viOatOo of religious equality, depryeS
those churches of the right of self government,
Imposes on Parliament duties which il is not quail
fed to discharge aud is hurtfu to the political aud
religious feelings OF the community, and therefore
ought no longer To be maintained
a Benefoent Invention-The Messrs. Baird, a
wealthy IRON firm near Glasgow, have introduced
lnJO their extensive coal mines a cutting machine,
which working by com pressed air, aud requiring
only three men, IN eight hours cuts out about
eighty tons OF coal, amount equal 60 the work
OF forty men. At the same time It improves the
ventilation of the mine, while It relieves miners
OF their dlsagreeabe and dangerous work.
The melting Causs-An eminent English ilrist
and member of Parliament, recently stated that
$4,000 OF the 100 900 paupers In England are
made so BY strong drink.
Home-A correspondent of the New York EUan-
geljSt, writing from Heidelberg, Germany, Of the
numoer OF American families there for the school
lug OF their children, raises some very grave q1es-
tons in respect to the wisdom OF this course
After showing that the blessed influences Of an
American home must be sacrificed as well as
church and Sabbath School privileges, and that
the latter portion of the Sabbath day is always
holiday, as completely as Christmas or the 4th OF
July, be adds; and while the children in America
are receiving from Sabbath School teachers some
Of the deepest religious impressions OF their lives,
the children here are learning that the Sabbath is
a cay made only for pleasure. If the church and
the Sabbath School are institutions of importance
TO our children, let think long before deciding
to sacrifice them for any accomplishments, how
ever desirable.
POidcal-The Gladstone ministry is renstated
IN England. In Spain the most exciting intelh
geuce Is, that the Assembly at Madrid have unaui
mously passed bill for the immediate emancipa-
ton and complete citizenship of all slaves in the
island of Porto Rico.
The political situation in France is stated to be
satisfactory since the adoption by the Assembly of
the constitutional projects presented by the Com
mlttee of Thirty. President Theirs remains In
office, aud public confidence in the Republic is not
weakened. The new treaty between France aud
Germany, providing for the evacuation OF the
French provinces, was signed at Berlin on the 18Th
inst. and the text is published. The German
forces are to evacuste all the places they now hold
in France by the LIST Of July with the exception of
Verdun and vicinity, from which they are to with
draw 90 the 9Th of September. At that date the
hnal payments to Germany wiki be made the
Rothschilds aRd Barring Brothers having under
taken the financial arrangements.
Voice from Portugal The Portuguese journals
say that at no time the history of that country
have such efforts been made to organize a Repub-
hean party as are now making. The tendency in
European countries generally is toward republican
ism. The governments feel this; hence the slow
ness in official recognition OF the Spanish move
ment
Rev. DR.. Rainy, the Free Church Professor has
-, IL I'll.
the Free Church PreSbytery of Edinburgh should
overture the General Assembly of that denOmina
ton, 10 the effect that whether, considering the
prevalence OF R0maniSm and RationallSm In the
Church OF England, and the late Bennett udg
aent and the condition Of the Scottish Establish
ment the time had not come when they should
declare that the interests OF gospel truth and the
religious welfare OF the community demanded the
disesJabliShment Of both Churches. Cor South
era Presbyterian.
Quakerism Is showing some signs of Vitality in
England We notice that conference of Friends
mas been held In London, attended by from 800 to
400 of the brethren, at which, with great unanimiy
1t was agreed that the Society should take an in
Ierest IN foreign and home missionary work, the
temperance movement aud Sabbath Schools
These measures will be brought for recognition be
fore the next yearly meeting in May. We shonld
have great faith in any procedure which brought
Friends into more active relations with other re-
hglOnst.
Amadeus, the late King of Spain, has arrived at
Rome with his family and resumed his rights as
an Italian citizen. He has received the appoint
ment OF Lieutenant General IN the National army.
The Chinese Mandarins in Canton have adopted
new method of Furnishing criminals for slight Of
lenses. They iuAict a fue, which, if the prisoner
is unable to pay they cut cf his pig tail, which
aDpendage has market value OF about $3.50 Tor
the European hair market.
Orthodox Advice-The Bishop of Manchester in
a recent address to the working people advises
every working man earning 30s. a week to put
IS. away In the savings bank and if young mar
rying girls cared to listen to the advice OF an Old
bachelor bishop he could say, Don't listen to any
young chap who comes counting you, let hun be
ever so winsome, unless he can put you in house
decently stocked with good furniture, and has be-
sides $50 in the saving bank. But this rule has
It's exceptions.
The proposal to substitute French and German in
place OF Greek, at Cambridge, was discussed the
other day, when the proposal was rejected by 80
to 81.
Dr. Grant of the American Mission at Cairo, re.
ports the discovery Of a Hebrew manuscript Of
portions of the Bible, in synagogue said to have
been bnilt forty five years before the second tenn
pie was destroyed IL was deposited in a Mich,
ten feet above ground.
SPECIAL NOTICE.