The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1879-06-25
FOREIGN MISSIONS.

1t is a significant fact that the Moderator
of the General Assembly held at Saratoga ls
foreign missionary. We refer to the we'll
known Rev. DR.. Jessup. His elevation to
the chair of the Assembly has deeper mean
ing than the mere honor sought to be con-
veyed to faithful and devoted missionary.
It indicates that the missionary field is no
longer foreign in the sense that missionaries
are mere agents, having only nominal con-
nection with their Church at home. 1t
shows that missionaries are ministers in the
technical sense of the word, that is, they are
members of Presbyteries, and of Synods, and
therefore eligible as delegates of Assembly
and for the highest honor which the Church
has to confer upon her sons. The theory is
that the Moderator of any Church Court
must be member thereof. But hitherto
ministers in foreign fields could only appear
in the Assembly in the form of deputations
or privileged speakers, but not as delegates.
And this for the reason that they did not
represent Presbyteries. In the old country,
even now at this late day, missionaries have
no seat in the Assemblies, while of course
they are welcomed and in courtesy invited to
speak. But now Foreign Missions are TAX
ing new shape. They have their PreSby-
teries and Synods. The missionaries in
Syria constitute the Presbytery of that
name. Those in India we presume have
number of Presbyteries, and 80 too in other
countries. The system of Presbytery is thus
developing into new and interesting forms.
The Presbyterian Church of this or that
country-of Scotland, or Ireland, or Amer
lea will at no distant period be no longer
identified by geographical boundaries. The
Presbyterian Church of every country will
thus overlap every other country. Is not
this in preparation for the time when the
Presbyterian Church in India, China, Japan,
and other lands will be national in the same
sense in which it is national in Canada, in
Australia, or in the United States. Indeed
in our view it is an earnest of the happy
time coming which is foreshadowed by pan.
Presbyterian councils, when in some way or
other Prcsbyterians throughout the world
will be practically as they are essentially
one catholic Church.
n
Assembly at Saratoga, by which the Church
recognizes Presbyteries in the foreign fields
on the same footing as Presbyteres at home.
Such Presbyteries are entitled to send dele.
gates to the Assembly. They are thus re-
gsrded as an integral part of the Church.
The only difference between foreign and
home Presbyteries will be felt in the matter
of overtures. These having reference to the
home field will not be sent down to the Pres
byteries abroad, nor will the delegates of
such be entitled to vote upon them. In all
other matters they will enjoy the rights and
privileges of regularly constituted Presbyte-
ries. This is most important departure,
but it is consistent with the principles of
PresbyterianiSm. The work of our Church
in its developments is becoming more and
more intensely interesting. Perhaps We may
soon have the Presbytery of FOrmOss, or of
India, in connection with the Presbyterian
Church in eanada.--C Canada Presbyterian.