The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-12-29

last, upon the dedication of her royal chapel
celebrated the occasion by release of all the
State prisoners who had been in chains since
the beginning of her reign for conspiracy
against her government. Business was gene
rally suspended throughout the capital, and the
national flag was hoisted over the entrance OF
the palaceyard in honor of the event Admis
sions were granted by ticket upon the opening
day. Various religious services connected with
the dedication were held for about two weeks
| The first concert of vocal and in
strumental music ever given by native perfor-
mers In Madagascar was gwen under the au
spices OF the Young Mems Society some months
since at Ambatonakonga. There were fifteen
hundred persons present. The programme con
sisted of several vocal performances, sometimes
accompanied by, and sometimes alternated with,
instrumental pieces by the royal band. 1t was
considered great success.
President Angel, United States
Minister Extraordinary to China, in private
letter from Peking says:
We have all been much interested in
the work of the large company of missionaries
in and around Peking. Representing different
societies. English and American, they live in
beautiful amity They are working under
many dlscouragements, with patience and de-
votion which are Christlike, and are reaping
more fruits than L had expected to find"
AL lISLl III OIle Vi Tue SECULAR Jour-
nails says: THE Pope has conferred on D.
Murphy, wealthy merchant of San Francisco,
the hereditary title of Marquis in recognition of
his great services to religion In America and
Europe" " Marquis Murphy" had better go
abroad. His title would be of more service to
him near the Vatican than near the Sand
Lots" of San Francisco. 1t has Milesian
sound, moreover, and the Marquis might do
some fighting if he was in the Emerald Isle
again.
The candidates for the ministry are
increasing in Scotland. The United Presbvte
riaHs have had more than they needed for some
years, but in the Establishment and Free Church
as well, the number of young men seeking the
ministry is charging.
In Southern India there are 300, 900
converts included in the several Protestant
churches. An interesting conversion has taken
places In Calcutta. Gopal Chunder Biswas. an
elderly Hindu gentleman, and the head of a re
spectacle family which has occupied an infu.
entail position In Calcutta for many generations,
was lately baptized by the Rev. ]. Hector. He
was educated IN the Free Church Institution.
Principal Dawson of Montreal has
Just closed series of lectures before the students
OF Auburn Theological Seminary on the har
monY between geological science and Bible
history, which have been marked by all his
well-known resources as student Of science
and at the same time by the devout and rever-
ent attitude towards the Word of God which
contrasts him most favorably lat least in the
minds OF all Christians) with many of his pro-
tesslonal contemporaries. At their conclusion
very complimentary resolution, offered by the
rev Or. Hawley was enthusiastically passed
Mr.. George c. Buel of Rochester provided for
the neediul expenses of the course EynnoeZist
The worst thing remarked concern
ing Professor Robertson Smith is that he is seem
ingl indifferent to the serious trouble which he
has caused in the Free Church of Scotland He
has given no intimation that he has ever been
wrong IN the original criticism or in any of the
steps following when making his defence or
pleading for himself before the high court of his
church. The most marked Characteristic of the
man, as he becomes more widely known, is his
Astounding selfconfdence. And this is re acting
upon his reputation as a Biblical critic where
modesty is an acknowledged virtue-Presbyte-
ridn.
Pope Leo XIII. has a grievance
indeed, he has number of grievances. But the
most grievous of his grievances Is that the PEG
pie OF Rome lately celebrated, with clamorous
rejoicing, the anniversary of the occupation of
Rome" by the King of Italy which forced the
venerable Father to shut himself within the
narrow circuit" OF the walls OF the Vatican.
1t Is monstrous pity but how can it be helped ?
AHo OPo 10 d PRISONER as ne afnrms, and the
people love to have 1t so.-Ib
The Maharajah of Travancore re-
Gently visited the Anglican missionary institu-
lions at Cotayam, and expressed his sense of the
Importance of the work accomplished in them.
Long" he said, before the state itself under
took the humanizing task of educating its subject
population the Christian missionaries had raised
the beacon of knowledge in this land. One can
not be sufficiently thankful for the introduction
of this civilizing element and its happily steady
development" Then, turning to the mission
aries, he said: The balance of benefit can
safely say has been on the side of the state, in
asmuch as your labors have been increasing, year
alter year, the number floyal law abiding, and
civilized population, the very foundation of good
government"