The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1876-03-03
CHURCHES AND MINISTER'S.

CHURCHES AND MINISTER'S.
A UNITARIAN church is shortly to be
established in Paris.
ALONzo ABERNETHY has been chosen
president of the Baptist University at
Chicago.
LORD GAxvAGH recently joined a
Baptist church in London, and was bap-
tized by immersion.
THE Unitarian Year Book for 1876 re-
ports 352 Unitarian societies and 39S
ministers, of whom 217 are engaged in
the actual work of the ministry. 81
the societies, 1853 are without pastors.
THE appropriations of the American
board of commissioners for foreign mis-
sioEs for 1876 are less by $4,000 than
those of 1875.
Rev. DIR. MCDONALD, missionary in
Japan of the Methodist church of Can
ada, is having large and attractive con-
grcgations. Nov. II, he had 260 bearers,
among whom were twenty-eight Budd-
hist priests Since then, the interest ex-
cited il reported to be steadily increasing.
DR.. Mcdonald has baptized three per
s0Is,
The North Carolina conference of he
Methodist Protestant church has voted
two to one against the proposed conven-
ton of 1877 to consummate an organic
union with the Methodist church, the
porthern wing of this non-Episcopal de.
IL I
on war questions, and this action is re-
ceived as discouraging indication Of
the feeling in the south on reunion.
The members of the Protestant
Episcopal church in West Virginia are
anxious to have the diocese of Virginia
divided SO they can form new
diocese. The difficulty is, however,
that they cannot raise enough funds to
guarantee the support of bishop. 1t is
proposed, therefore, to set apart the ter
ritory as a missionary jurisdiction, and
get the missionary society to guarantee
the support of the bishop.
THERE is sect in Scotland calling
themselves Christian Israelites, who claim
to have received a. revelation from God
that they are descendants of the lost
tribes of Israel, whom the Lord is thus
gathering from among the nations. ac-
cordmg to his promise by his prophets.
They keep Sixth-day night, and also the
k0ur from 10 to II a. m. of First day as
sacred time, by special revelation. They
practice circumcision, and will not use
mixed clothing, food, etc.
A CHURCH property bill is pending in
the legislative assembly of Ontario which
is likely to affect the property of the
Methodist church of Canada. This body
was formed last year by the union of
three Methodist branches in Canada,
every minister and nearly all the laymen
consenting. Some of the laymen and a
few ministers, who allege that they have
claims upon the funds of the united
church, are endeavoring to get law
passed by which they can obtain share
OF these funds and possession of certain
other property.
One of the hindrances of the advance
of the old Catholic movement in Ger
many is said to be the want of priests.
But few have come ever from the Roman
Catholic church, and there are many old
Catholic parishes without priest. Funds
are therefore asked for to educate candi-
dates for the ministry. The suggestion
has been made that the English mission
aries might take charge Of the vacant
charges. but.it is objected that they are
not sufficiently acquainted with German,
and would be of no use in forming new
congregations or serving old ones.
REV. DIR. FIELDS, of the Evangelist,
writes from Constantinople about the de-
votions Of the Sultan: "Once week
he makes public appearance. Every
Friday, which is the Mohammedan Sab
bath, he goes in great state to the mosque,
and then whosoeyer will approach may
gaze upon the brightness of his face.
This is one of the spectacles of Constanti-
nople. 1t is indeed brilliant pageant,
not to be overlooked by those who would
see an exhibition of oriental pomp and
magni6cence. Sometimes the Sultan
goes to the mosque by water, in splen-
did barge covered with gold, and as soon
as he takes his seat under the canopy all
the ships of war lying in the Bosphorus
fire salutes, making the shores ring with
their repeated thunders. At other
times he goes on horseback, attended by
large cavalcade."
Camer0n's March Across Africa.