The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-04-06
FOREIGN CHURCH NEWS.

FOREIGN CHURCH NEWS.
1t Is striking circumstance that in
Scotland the churches have at present a super
abundance of candidates for the ministry. At
least that is the case in the two great Noncon-
tormist Presbyterian bodies, the Free and United
Presbyterian churches. The Free Church has
this year, in its colleges seventyfour entrants or
first year divinity students Only once before
after the revivals of 1865 6, have so many pre-.
sented themselves. Now the influx is ascribed to
similar cause.-the awakening under Moody.
If that is really the case the fact is very inter
esting and suggestive one. AS the diverse, the
Church of England and the Irish Presbyterian
Church are in straits for want of men,
The spreading of Christianity in
South Africa is largely due to the German
Protestant Missions, who have for a long time
been the chief pioneers of civilization among
the Kafhrs, and have steadily been paving the
way for British domination of the North, East
and West of the Cape. Letters from the Trans
vaal relate that TWENTY-FIVE stations of the
Berlin Missionary Society are threatened with
destruction from the Beers: Bothshabelo, the
head station, has incurred the special disfavor
OF the Beers, on account of the favor with which
1T has been treated by the British authorities
Another reason assigned for the enmity of the
Beers against the German missionaries is that
the latter being to the Lutheran Church. which
Is viewed with illwill by the bigoted members
of the Old Reformed Church. in which the Beers
mostly belong
According to Rev. J. Fletcher, more
than one hundred and twenty missionaries have
fallen victims to the climate on the West Coast
OF Africa during the last forty years, but the
converts to Christianity number now at least
thirty thousand.
Where, three years ago, there were
l IN Pa hut u
tons there are now forty five, scattered all over
France. Bible study is engaged in three even
| ings of each week
There are now about two hundred
and nifty ordained ministers laboring as mission
aries In China, and more than sixty single la
dies, besides the married laboring among the
women
A letter from Mr.. Kalopothakes, of
Athens, states that Makrakis, of the Greek
| Church, who has been teaching new doctrines
with evangelical fervor, is again before the
courts for heresy. Mr. Makrakis was educated
IN Germany, where he mbibed Protestant
IDEAS; Last year he was imprisoned for his
attacks on the Synod. He has many devoted
disciples.
The London Missionary Society re-
ports thirty missionary laborers in various ca
pacltles under its superintendent in Madapas
car, 70, lbs native communicates. with 253 I82
adherents; 882 elementary schools, with 48 $50
PulpIts exclusive of the Pastors College and
Normal and Central schools. gnu
While the missionaries of the Church
Society in Uganda are waiting for return Of
friendship on the part of Mtesa they are busy
translating. Mr.. Mackey, at Kagei' has trans.
lated the gospel OF ST. Matthew into the Ian.
guage of Uganda and is preparing a simple
catechism. The last letter received from him
was dated November LIST. Mtesa had sent
canoes to Kagei, for reinforcements for the
French Catholic Mission. The canoes which
were three months on the voyage, brought a
letter from Mr.. Pearson, dated Rubapa Jnlv
18th. Mr.. Pearson stated that affairs in the
capital had not improved and he had difficulty
getting food. Mtesa was talking of going to
war with Mrambo. His army had recently
returned from war against Usoga. and M
Pearson saw the kings share of the captivesM
three hundred women, more dead than alive
being marched to the palace He had uuder
STOOD that thousand of the captives died on
the march to Rubaga. The Waganda envovs
reached Uyni November 3d. on their way to
ORanqa' Ihey were accompanied by Messrs
OFlaherty, Stokes, and Litchfeld
The labors Of DIR. Mackay. a medi-
cal missionary Of the Canadian Presbyterian
Church In Formosa, has been attended with
series OF sore Heterogeneous For two wears
|
the object Of bitter and unrelenting persecution
Vagbonds were hired by the priests or autbori.
ties to annoy him and subject him to every DOS.
si6le humiliation. He was bufTeted and lite.
rally, spit upon. The only accommodations
which he could obtan-for no man would 70
ceive him into his house-were those found in
an old stable, with standing water beneath the
rude floor Being accused of plotting against
the Government and Of having firearms CON
cealed In his quarters, he left the door omen
night and day in order to satisfy all parties Of
his innocence of such charges At length his
self denying labors began to win the confidence
OF those about him. His medical work as we'll
as the precepts Of the gospel which he taught
impressed the people. The result now, after
nine yea5 of labor is Aourishing mission with
eight organized churches, and an outlook for
me future IN all respects suspicious. The story
Of DR.. Mackay's privations and az related in he
public addresses during his present tour among
the churches OF Canada is full of interest and
instruction.