The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-12-07
FOREIGN CHURCH NEWS.

Spain is now under regime of reli-
glous federation, the benefits of which. singu-
larly enough, the Catholic primate is the first to
enJey.- By calling for a rising of Spain ard
other Catholic countries to restore to the Pope
his temporal possessions the Archbishop OF
Toledo became liable to imprisonment by the
government His case came up in the Cortes.
and the ministry stated that there was now
liberation for religion and free speech, but the
Archbishop must not again violate the law of
the land CASTELAR,, whose ringing speeches
for federation will not soon be forgotten. ex-
pressed the belief that the Catholic is the onlv
true religion. The Liberal ministry desires to
Perpetuate itself by securing the support of
Cathol'cs. 1t will not go out of its way, there
fore, to show friendliness to the handful of
Protestants.
In Austria the evangelicals have
celebrated their Jubilee on the centennial oc
casion of the granting of their charter of liberty
In i70i The Emperor expressed his sympathy
with them, and promised them his protection.
AT the time of the declaration in 1881. there
were $4,000 ProtestaI IS in Austria Now there
are 100000, who have many churches, an evan
gelical faculty and all sorts of charitable insti
tutlonS; AT the time of the jubilee many small
pamphlets were distributed, which told toucbino
instances of treasuring old Bibles and tracts
and Of rare fidelity of the faith The greater
part OF Austria was once evangelical, but she
sutiocated her best children in their own blood
and worked the most harm to herself in so do
lng.-COr. Christian InteItigencer.
In 1907, when the Rev. Robert
Morrison proposed to commence mission work
In China under the direction of the London
Society, he was not permitted to 90 from ENG
land, but was obliged to come to America. and
procuring letter from Mr. Madison to the
American Consul at Canton, was compelled to
"a rrUO on nc L.
York merchant. After seven years of pravino
and waiting and toiling, he finished the trans
latlon OF the New Testament into Chinese and
baptized his first convert. In that year 18l4)
William Milne was sent to Morrison's aid. and
three years later they finished the translation of
the entire Bible. These devoted men were left
almost alone to toll in that marvellous country
until In 1879, In answer to the dying call" of
Milne, the American Board sent out Bridonan
and Abeel, and in following years Williams,
Parker, Bonney, and quite number of noble
men and women, until now nearly half a hun.
dred supported by this Board are winning souls
for Christ in China.
1t was not, however, until 1912 that China
was really open to the gospel, and that the mis-
sion work began in earnest. Previous to this
only about sixty missionaries had been sent
from Europe and America, and these occupied
the Chinese settlements in Java, SIAM and the
Straits. as well as the southern point of China
proper. Now 0842) that the five ports were
opened to the foreigners, the great Societies in
quick succession began to occupy the country ;
so that In 1877 there were twenty-six European
and American Societies doing Christian work
in China.
Chinese officials are showing more
interest than formerly in religious federation
The Governor of Foochon has issued a procla.
nation calling upon the people not to modest
the missionaries or the converts who follow
them either at their chapels or school houses.
The command has had a good effect, and the
crowds have ceased annoying those who assem-
bic for Christian instruction.
No wonder Mr.. Surgeons church
grows steadily, for at a recent communion
occasion in the Tabernacle the pastor stated that
Of the sixteen who were received into the church
only two of them were converted through his
agency the other fourteen by that Of his mem
bers."