The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-11-17
FOREIGN CHURCH NEWS.

The printed report of the missionary
conference for South India, held at Bangalore
last year, gives complete statistical tables which
show that the 59,613 baptized Protestant Chris
tlans of South India exclusive of Ceylon) in
1899 have now become 1853 1872; and the 81 $50
adherents 127,49 The total of members and
adherents is now 295,929 showing three-fold
increase in q years. OF the 295 $50 some 90
6lo belong to the Church Missionary Society
81 ,io3 belong to the Society for the Propagation
OF the Gospel, 58,977 to the American Baptist
Missionary Union, 49, $50 to the London Society
and the remainder, about $4,000, to yarioEs
English, American, and German Societies.
The first general convention of native
Christians of all denominations in Japan was
held IN Toxic, In 1878. The second convention
met the past summer. The meetings were ali
conducted by the japanese themselves, the only
foreigner speaking at all being Mr.. Atkinson Of
the American Board, who took the place of one
who failed to keep his appointment. Mr.. Atkin
son says the Protestant Episcopal Church was
not represented officially and he has been in
formed that Bishop Williams forbade his con
verts to attend the first convention. The aver
age size Of the audiences was about 800 One
OF the speakers said that the conflict of Chris
uanlty IN Japan was not TO be with Sbintuisrn
or Buddhism, but with European infdelitv and
athelstic evolutonism He was of the opinion
that preachers of the Gospel should have a good
scientific training, to meet the requirements of
the hour. A committee was appointed to mem
orlallze the government for liberty to burv
Christians with Christian rites. As it is now
Buddhist priests have the monopoly of burials.
Independent.
The Scotch correspondent of The
Noncontormist says:
Principal Rainy is judiciously remaining
away till after the Commission (which considarS9
Robertson Smiths easel He has now come 70
the conclusion that Professor Smiths retirement
will be for the good of the Church but he is too
yacllIatng In his temperament to make a frst-rate
leader, and he sometimes seriously embarrasses
both friends and foes"
The same writer says of the theological rno,,e-
ments in the Church Of Scotland.
1t l might hazard guess, I should say that
the younger men who have been trained in elias
gov and St Andrews will generally be found
on the advanced lines; that the Aberdeen men
Will be non committal,' and that the soundest
men Will come from Edinburgh. Principal Card
and Principal Tulloch have now for wears eyer.
cised broadening iuHuer CO upon the rising
ministry Of the Church but Professor Flint has
begun to weigh down the scales on the other side
and those who know him fully expect that as
years 60 on he will do much in the wav of nro-
noting an Evangelical reaction"
"A professor Of theology in Holland
has reached the conclusion that the Bible is of
no furtheS use in matters Of religion.
In the year 1857 there was not q
Protestant in the Island Of Elba; now the CON
gregaton Of the Church of our Saviour in Rio
Marino numbers two hundred souls The
Waldenses have here erected pretty little
church, with house for the pastor, and four airv
school-rooms. In this church there are ninety
eight members in full communion. all Of whom
have come out from the Church Of Rome. with
the exception Of the pastor, the founder. and
their families