The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-03-09
FOREIGN CHURCH NEWS.

The Island of Jersey, which lies
close to the French coast, is Just now high in
the favor of the Jesuits large number of
that order have settled on it and purchased
valuable properties. Other fraternities, antici-
pating expulsion, are also SCI uring property
The TrapPists are talking of buying Herm one
OF the Channel Islands, where thew could be
more secluded. The Jesuits have opened no
places in Jersey for the instruction of the youth
of French families, for the reason that, under
advice, they desire to do nothing that would
tend to wound the susceptbilities of the in
habitants by whom the order is not regarded
with particular favor, and is carefully watched
lest any open attempts should be made to pros
elytize.
The Dundee Free Presbytery, by a
vote OF 20 to 5, has passed resolution declar-
ing that the use of instrumental music in wor
ship Is contrary to the forms sanctioned by the
Church, and prohibiting the further use of a
harmonium in st. Luke's Church, Broughty
Ferry.
Dom Pedro, of Brazil, believes in
Protestant missions. He offers to pay the pas
sage of missionaries. he is a Romanist in little
else than the name.
The communicates on the roll of
DR.. Donald Fraser's church, Marylebohe, Lon
don, number 933, the largest membership of any
Presbyterian church in England. There has
been an increase in every department of the
revenue, the total sum raised during the year
being upwards of $4,000.
The village of Bertolla, near Turin,
in Italy, has renowned Romanism and accented
the Protestant faith. The Arch bishop suspended
the priest AMI closed the church against the g.
600 parishioners
. The Earl of Shaftesbury recently
said that there are 100000 persons in London
who never hear the gospel from years end to
years end, and that the only way to reach them
with it is by special services in theatres and mis-
sion halls.
-Papal influence has contrived to
drive the last Bible colporteur from the Tvrol
Austria The man had permission to labor as
colporteur, but as the law is Interpreted. he
must only take subscriptions, and the books
must be sent by post from the store The
colporteur was followed by spy day after day
until evidence was obtained that he lad actually
committed the crime of selling copy of the
Word OF Cod. Then he was arrested and fined.
his license revoked, and his books confscated
1t is somewhat significant, as con-
nected with the quickened religious interest in
France, that a translation of the HOLY
Scriptures has inst appeared. 1t is the work of
one man. :" Louis SECOND, Docteur En- The
oioge:" The translator has given sixteen years
of diligent labor to the work. 1t is designed
for the use of the Protestant churches The
translation is founded on the most modern texts
of the great scholars, such as Tischendorf, in the
New Testament and the Masoretic text of the
Old Testament.
On Lake Van, in Eastern Turkey. is a
little steamboat Gifted up by the missionary in
that region Mr.. Scott, which is the wonder of
the people. On the day of trial the crowd was
without end from morning till night and discus
sions among the natives were long and loud as
to whether Solomon was wiser than the Pro-
testants of the present day
SOUTH AFRICA.-The recent SYNOD
of the Reformed Outch) Church in South Africa
continued through the extremely long session
of forty three days Rev. Giles Van de Wall,
a graduate of New Brunswick, presided. This
Synod cannot meet annually on account of
the distances and the expense. Thew are
moreover, hampered by civil legislation which
prescribes that their Synod shall consist of all
the acting ministers of the Church. and an elder
from each congregation. They are not allowed
to send representatives from each Chassis to con-
stltute their Synod. They have tried to get
md OF this civil regulation, but have hitherto
failed If they attempt to ignore it, they cease
to be body corporate before the law, and run
the risk of losing their property. The Cape
Parliament upon which they are dependent.
consists OF enemies, friends and nondescripts
A committee was appointed, of which Rev. Mr..
Van de Wall Is member, to investigate the
whole subject of the relations of State and
Church in theory and in fact, and to report at
the Synod of 1882 the year of the next meeting.
They have sent to Scotland for advice las many
Scotch are mingled with the Dutch in South
Africa. and they have also written to America
for advice and documents. Copies of our own
Constitution and Digest will be sent with the
Acts OF incorporation; copy of the 1.-TWO
Lectures upon the Relations of Civil Law tn
Church Polity, Discipline and Property. bv
Hon. William Strong, LII. D., Justice of the
Supreme Court of the United States: and the CO.
pious volume of Tyler's American Ecclesiastical
Law.
"A New CHURCH FOR THE WAL
DENsEs.-The Wadenses have a new church
nearly ready for occupation at Milan. The
edlhce is. externally, 60x90 feet, with an exten-
SION on the front at the left. One of the side
chapels OF the old church, with part of the
porch, was saved intact. In the porch at the
right end there remains an ancient windno
stone stairway, switch leads to the choir and
organ loft above. There is a large arched door
way OF sculptured stone, Aanked on either side
by an ancient pillar and a circular window. with
Its frame and castings of ornamental stone work
Above the door there is puch prander circn|
lar window, with small, arched windows on
each side. Above all, in the pediment is the
ancient statue of San Giovanni in Conca % In
the interior OF the church there is. above a
dome, fifty or sixty feet high, supported bv fonr
large cluster pillars, which also form broad
central and two side aisles. Below the Aoor ia
a crypt, with the tombs and bones of the on
Gent and pious dead still therain Tbo.o w