The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1879-09-17
FOREIGN CHURCH NEWS.

The Evangelical Alliance held its seventh con
ference in Basic Switzerland, the week ending
September 9th. No more fitting place could
have been chosen for such a meeting, as was
lately shown by a correspondent of the Banner
IN two lengthy communications A large num-
Der Of delegates from all parts of Europe and
America were in attendance, and at least fifteen
hundred visitors The sessions were held in
St Martins Cathedral. During the week the
churches and halls were constantly filled with
auditors from all parts of Europe and from
America. Pastor Eeklin on behalf of the city
of Basic, welcomed the guests in the Great Hall
of the Vereinshaus DR.. Philip Schaf of New
York, represented the AnglO-Americans and
Prof. Vignet spoke for the French delegates
Councillor Sarasin, a layman of Basic was
elected President Of the Conference. The Vice
Presidents were elected from various countries.
The first day of the gathering was devoted to
addresses on the religious state of Professionalism
IN various countries The most important &C
ton of the Alliance was the appointment of a
delegation, consisting OF a president and vice
presidents for the purpose of soliciting the Aus
trian Government to afford relief to the Protes-
tants of Bohemia, who are at present suffering
under severe disabilities. Dr. J. P Thompson,
of Berlin, represents the United States on this
deputation.
The Presbytery of Andalusia is we believe,
the only Presbytery in Spain. 1t Is small, con-
sisting of eight churches, of which the member
ship Is small and oppressed with poverty New
ertheless 1t proposes to found a school for the
training of pastors, evangehsts and teachers, and
has purchased building for College and a
centre Of missionary work.
The Methodist Church of Canada is now en-
gagged in raising q special Thanksgiving Fund of
$4,000 for the permanent relief of its Mission
and Church Extension work. 1t Is to be The
Relief and Extension Fund, and is designed to
be distinct from and supplemental to the regular
Correctional Funds. After payment of the debt
of the Missionary Society, fifty per cent. of the
balance is to be set apart for the purpose of ex-
tending the work in the Northwest and other
destitute portions of the Dominion and New
foundland, and the remaining fifty ger cent. is
to be appropriated to the Superannuation and
Supernumerary Funds Of the contributing Con-
ferences.
It is possible that the Jesuits will find that
the dogma of Papal Infslhbility, which they
forced upon the Catholic Church may vet come
home to plague them They are said to have
little sympathy with the philosophy and theolo-
gy of Thomas Aquinas which Pope Leo com
mends to the Church in his recent encyclical and
do not incline to train their pupils in his doc
has issued his commands to the order, and as he
has been pronounced infallible by their agency,
they have nothing to do but submit. They did
not provide that an infallible Pope should infal-
libby be Standardization Weekly.
Three old Catholic leaders, Bishop Reinkens,
ofGermany; Bishop Herzog, Of Switzerland, and
Father Hyacinthe of Paris have met in Geneva
in conference with a Scottish and an English
Bishop. They united In a service in the Old
Catholic cathedral Pere Hyacinthe preached
the sermon and Bishop Reinkens administered
the communion. The service was intended to
manifest the union existing between the Angll-
can and Old Catholic unions
Our readers all understand the meaning of the
word refugee )" but when the Bishop Of Man
chester saws that he does not welcome transfu
gees from other Churches it is as well for US to
explain that he means that class of preachers
who fit from one Church to another. 1t is a
most convenient word, involving in its use no
reflection on motives, etc, and we heartily thank
the Bishop for coming it.
The Bishop of Gloucester has reported to the
British and Foreign Bible Society that parts of
the Bible have been translated into two hun
bred tongues. The tongues however, into
which the entire Bible has been rendered are
only 6fty-six in number Sothere is still plenty
of hard work for our missionaries, even in that
line. Last year the income Of the Society was
$l,069 055 less than one-haf Of which came
from the sale Of Bibles
The Baptist Convention of the Maritime Pro
vinces Of Canada has been held at Truro, Nova
Scotia. c, F. Chneh, layman, was chosen Pre-
sident. 1t was decided to raise $36 600 this year
for various benevolent purposes.
A Chinese Congregational church was organ
lied by council held at Honolulu, Sandwich
Islands on the Sth of June last. The Rev. DIR.
Damon was elected Moderator, and baptized six
persons who united with the new church on pro
fession Of their faith.
The American Missionary Association pleads
hard to be allowed to close its report on the last
day Of this month with the announcement of all
expenses met and debt all gone. 1t can be done
and Will be done, If the churches only come up
half way to the line of duty.
The Philadelphia Pres5yterjon says Our
naval officers have sometimes been accused of
circulating stories or giving opinions, unfavora-
BILE to foreign missions. Commodore Shufeldt
who has been cruising in the TicOnderoga along
the west coast of Africa, gives a very different
testimony. He writes specially of the work Of
the missionaries of the Presbyterian Board
Rev. S II. Murphy has charge of the mission,
with headquarters at the GabOOn river assisted
by several ladies and several native preachers.
The mission embraces the schools at BatOnga,
Bonita, Corsica Island and intermediate points,
partly under the Spanish and partly under the
French government All the several branches
are described as being in a hourishing condition,
the total number of native children under tuition
being four hundred, Of whom forty are females '"