The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1874-12-23
FOREIGN ITEMS.

The Higher Life y in France Meetings for the
cultivation OF the Higher Life, " or, as they are
otherwise called, "COnsecration Meetings" have
been held lately in Paris. In the midst of gay,
guilty, needless Paris, these assemblies we're held,
and attracted some persons from all parts o.
France. Theodore Monod, known in America as
student OF Theology in one of our schools of d.
vlDlty, and missionary for some time in Illinois,
is the acknowledged leader of the movement, and
Is to be, as we gather from some statements, made
an evangelist of these brethren in France. His
earnestnesS and devOutness are unquestionsble,
but some Of his words which we have seen impress
US very distinctly with the conviction that he may
very easily run into the cloudy domain of mysticism.
Ii the movement can be kept from this land of
clouds and dreamy visions, it may supply elements
which seem to be wanting in France. If we must
choose, we infinitely prefer Monod and Bible
reading, with some mystical outgivings, to a cold,
bare, rationalistic essay from Athanse Coquere or
even some OF the outgivings of DePressens@.-The
Presbyterian.
Rev Dr. Douglas, the senior Professor of the Gas.
gov Free Church College, in his address to the
students made an appropriate allusion to the loss
sustained by the college and by theological scholar.
ship In the death of Principal Fsirbairn who left
request that no biography of him should be writ
ten. Professor Douglas drew an interesting sketch
of the history of the college. He announced that
the late DR.. Fsirbairns classes would be taught
this session by the Rev. r. B Watson, and that
the Rev. I. Barclay, missionary in China, had en-.
dOwed sl0 prize for an annual essay on q mission
airy subject Principal Rainy opened the session
Of Edinburgh Free Church College by an address
In which he discussed the religious and theological
bearings of recent scientific theories.
The Population Of China David who has
recently devoted some years to the exploration of
Chinese territory and the study of the people, says
that the estimate OF ststiscians that the total pop
ulatlon of the Chinese Empire is but 100 000 900
souls is entirely incorrect. The error is due to the
terrible ravages made in certain small political d.
visions, which have rebeed at times, and in which
wholesale massacres have reduced the inhabitants
to one half and 10 some cases one fifth their nu-
meriosl strength. The province of Kisugsi is,
however, the least populated, and the average of
each canton therein is 1000 people. There are
345 cantOns, making, an approximate total of
/ 1880 600 inhabitants. Among the eighteen pro
vinees Of the Empire, it is certain that several
largely exceed Kiangsl in population; but taking
the above given aggregate as unit, there must be
at least 300 600 600 individuals in the country.
InsubOrdinats. Continued conflicts are occurring
in the South American countries where the civil
authorities are determined to hold the priests sub
jeot to law. In Brazil the conviction of the Bish-
ops of Para and Pernambuco for violating the
laws Ol Lne umpire mas excited rlOtous uemonstra'
tons, which the government has had to suppress
by armed force. In Chill there was great excite
meut In the National Legislature at the passage of
bill by the lower house authorizing the impr-
sOnment of any person whether clergyman or
layman, who shall execute any order of the Ponti
Zeal Court attacking the independence or security
Of the State" The press and the people largely
approve the separation of the Church and State
Indian Newspapers The Methodist Episcopal
mission press In India issues five different papers
the Witness, q weekly, in English the e" Kan
kali Christian Star semi-monthly for native
Christians; the SUM- a semi monthly litho
grsphed in Urdu; and two monthly Sunday School
papers, one ip Urdu, and one in Hindoo.