The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-03-10
FOREIGN CHURCH NEWS.

=" Candidating, in the sense in which
1T is known in this country has been little
known in Scotland but the custom has been in
troduced and they go about it in the most mat
ter-of- fact way. Lately parish was in want
of a minister, and three candidates appeared, all
of whom preached at successive services on the
same Sabbath, the congregation looking quietly
on and enjoying very much the competitive
exhibition of pulpit talent.
The munifcent bequest left by Mr.
Muter for the Sustentation Funds of the English
Church and the Free Church of Scotland, which
fell into Chancery is in fair way of being
secured Each church will receive sometime
like 100000.
"A writer in the Catholic Mirror. da-
ting from Paris, declares that the most painful
thing to behold in France, "a country once
Catholic, is the decay of that faith which was
once It's strength and glory" and adds with
melancholy earnestness, Alas it is too true
that the hour Is come when it must be said
France Is no longer Catholic" On the other
hand, Protestants are awakening to the fact that
the present in their great opportunity, and are
earnestly at work.
The famous Vatican Council
which closed its sessions in 1870 in the midst
OF the tread of great armies moving to battle
will probably never meet again. The Pope has
gwen orders that the apartments in which it as
sembled shall be restored to their former uses
indicating that its re assembling is not Thought
of in the councils of the Church. The treme3d-
GUS error which is erected into an article of be-
lief will not soon be forgotten
In the Presbytery of Shantung China
several approved men have spent the entire
year, Others several months, itinerating and
circulating books and tracts In regions extend
ing over from two TO three hundred miles in
land. They received and expected no com
Pensation beyond the plainest food, not exceed
ing IN cost three dollars per month for each per
son. These labors have been best, and have
already borne fruit Several of the missionaries
have been able to spend f.om two to We months
travelling and preaching in every town and
village in certain districts. Upwards of thirty
children have been baptized and eighty two
adults received on profession of faith. PresBy
terrain.
Intelligence has been received at
the Rooms of the American Board of the success
OF the appeal of the Rev. Edwin Adams to the
Government OF Austria for liberty of worship.
lie Is permitted to have worship in his ovgn
house, in the presence of invited guests after
giving due notice and paying for the services of
policeman. Children between the ages Of siv
and fourteen belonging to any of the religions
recognized by the State are not permitted fo at
tend. The cost in legal fees OF every service is
81.
There has been a public discussion
IN Montreal between Roman Catholics and Pro
testants on the doctrine of Purgatory and the
papers say that the debaters behaved with
ProPrlety and that good order prevailed in the
audience. The discussion was in French The
audience was about equally divided between
Catholics and Protestants. A Protestant min
ister presided and said his followers would
merely ask questions, since the onus of proof
rested with the Catholics He offered these
queries " At the end of the world, when there
viii be no priests left TO say mass, what will
become of the souls in purgatory2 ?" Where
IS 1t said in the Scripture that the atonement
begun on Calvary is to finish in purgatory p"
How could they reconcile the doctrine of Dur
gatoIry with the words Of our Lord to the diving
sllei' To-day shalt thou be with me in Par
ase In answer to the last question. a Ro-
.ioE Cathollc said it was because the thief had
Pe,IecI contrtion, and the Protestant was asked
III return now he could believe in God of Love
gnu MINK mat man would be sent into endless
punishment Tor only small sin. A place of tenn
R9raTy punishment was, therefore necessary
a. hne frotestant replied that there was no sucb
JJnialhg as small sin. Although there was great
H t;I between stealing pin and commit
.iIng murder, the man who would steal a min for
pressure might also commit murder If i were
A''' pleasure to do so.-hodepeadent