The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-09-15

twenty that occurred.
Mr.. Bergen said that the universal, all
prevailing and all-penetrating belief in
witchcraft should be mentioned as another
difficulty in Africa.
DR.. Vincent called for the difficulties at
home concerning foreign mission work.
he was answered promptly and rapidly,
as follows: "a want of sense of obliga-
ton on the part of the Church." ga want
of knowledge concerning the needs of the
world; ! "Stinginess;" Prejudice of ed
ucation on the subject of foreign work !"
False views of the salvation of the hea-
then without the gospel Reluctance to
study mission subjects" A want of deep
spirituality among the churches" I'm
patience for results; = IGNORANCE of re-
suits, many people do not know what has
been done on the foreign field -, Under
valuing the power of small contributions. "
Such are few of many difficulties pre-
sented for thought. An earnest listener
could hardly help being personal, and
asking the mental question:: (Which of
these difficulties am allowing to come
between the field and my work ?"
Bishop Warren address was like Bish-
op Warren, sparkling with diamonds of
thought. 1 make no attempt to quote
from it. l can only advise all lovers of
grand thoughts to secure a copy of the
lecture, and read for themselves.
DIR. Birmingham, Secretary of the Bap-
list Board, gave rapid review of the
entire world of missions, drawing clear
cut contrasts between the past and the
present. L quote but sentence or two ::
Things have gone on wonderfully in
the last eighty years. At the beginning
of this century there were but seven
foreign missionary societies. These have
grown to seventy. At that time there
was but comparatively few heather I'M
der the influence of Christianity; now,
by the lowest estimate, there are l.
$4,000, and largely the professed dis
ciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. Eighty
years ago there was comparatively but
little money given to the spread of the
gospel in foreign lands. According to
the lowest estimates there is now ex-
pended about Sc, 100000. At the begin
ming of the century there were but ITO
foreign missionaries at work, given the
gospel to the heather; a hundred of
these were Moravian missionaries. Now
it is estimated that there are not less
than $500 ordained ministers, and 49,
600 native helpers, many of whom are
ordained ministers of the gospel"
The same speaker, in glancing at
future prospects, said: eff you take up
Scr16ner's Monthly for June, 1879, you
will find there marvellous project sug-
gested by some distinguished French
engineer, and it is said that that project
is now actually under experiment-that
of flooding the great African Desert so
as to enable ships to sail with theil car
goes into the heart of Africa making, it
true, if it is accomplished, that the
waters shall break cut in the wilderness,
and streams in the desert, and that Eth
opia is not stretching forth her hand un-
to God in vain"
The eloquent Hindoo, in second ad-
dress delivered to large audience, gave
the following incident:
christianity has already. begun in
India the work of sending up glorifed
souls to heaven. 1t has not merely
raised bright churches and homes, it has
not merely raised bright hearts it has
helped to take people from India to
heaven. When was little boy, a
young man embraced Christianity, be-
came a preacher of the gospel, and for
several years did good service, but the
Lord saw fit to call him to higher work
He was taken sick; he lay for about
month lowering between life and DEATH
When the doctor one day cautiously told
him that he must die, he quietly repeated
The hour of'my departures come,
hear the voice that calls me home.'"
DR.. Butler, in referring to the changes
that the gospel has made in Italy, said /:
q In 1858, if you had spent the Sabbath
in the city Of Rome, and had crossed
Austrian frontier to reach it, your lug
gage would be examined at the custom
house, and If tract or Bible had been
found it would be laid on the shelf, you
being told that on returning you could
claim it. If you walked out on the Sab
bath and inquired for church in which
to worship, you would be told that in
the city of Rome there was no such OPP
portunity.
Mr.. King was the Consul General OF
the United States in Italy then, and he
said that his own house was free to him,
and within it strangers might come and
read the Bible and pray. But the Pope
cOuld plaoa an Italian rolioaman of tho