The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-07-13
FOREIGN CHURCH NEWS.

The PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN CAN
ADA.-The question which created the most
interest IN the General Assembly of Canada. was
that OF re-ordaining converted Roman Catholic
priests who desire to become ministers in the
Presbyterian Church. This matter was discuss
ed last year, but left unsettled. At the recent
meeting In Kingston of which Rev Dr. McVicar
of Montreal was Moderator, after long and
animated discussion the Assembly voted 1O6
to 67) that it did not think it necessary to come
to any dellverance on the general question 1t
was careful, however, to express its readiness at
all times to give directions to Presbyteries in
cases OF practical difficulty" reserving to itself
the right of dealing with each case of reception
into the ministry of the Presbyterian Church on
It's merits. This means, we suppose, that they
Will sometimes REQ rdain and sometimes not:
but In either case the priest becomes Protestant
minister, and the question is thus left open as
much as ever. The practical Importance of this
matter has grown out of the work of our Can
adlan brethren among the French Roman Cath
olIcs, among whom Rev. Mr.. Chiniquy and
other converted priests have been laboring with
much success and thousands have become Pro-
testants.-N. Y: Evangelist.
The Irish Presbyterian Assembly
has taken decided action on the question of in
strumental music. A correspondent of the Lon
don Christian World writes of it as follows:
The whole of Friday, not only from morn
TILL dewy eve, but on past midnight and till
the bright dawn of next day appeared, was oc.
cupied with the long expected discussion on the
instrumental music question. OF this / shall
only say that after nine years experience of it
as burning question, it was time to settle it in
another fashion than that ultimately decided
upon, which fancy will in no way tend to the
peace OF the Church. Very few expected that
those northern lights, yclept country elders
would take the trouble to come all tho way to
Dublin to fight against that sinful kist O. whis-
ties which the Rev. R. Workman had intro
duced into his church at Newtownbreda but so
1t was, and when [ saw the wonderful contin.
gent arriving at the Great Northern Terminus,
on Friday morning, / read in their faces that
they meant to win, and so they did Not to
attempt even summary of debate, every
argument of which on both sides has been aired
In the Assembly any time these nine years the
conclusion ultimately reached was to prohibit
completely what has hitherto been regarded as
on sufferance, and to command the offending con-
gregatlons, on pain of discipline, to get rid of
their organs and harmonious forthwith This
decision was reached by a majority of 81. the
numbers being FOG against 1885,"
There has been decrease of 221 comimun-
icants during the year.
The London Record says: "Mr.
George Muller, the founder of the Bristol Or
Phanages, recently returned from tour in
America, and was received at the railway sta
ton by 1000 of his orphans"
AT a late public meeting, the Arch
bishop Of Canterbury said: "Some people say
that If there were no bishops there would be no
kings and queens; they thought it very likely
that ifone went the other would CO."
Three new priests have lately Joined
the ranks of Bishop Reinken's Old Catholic
clergy-a learned Benedictine, a medalist and
a member of several scientific societies.
The Presby terian organization is
going back into the lands where it was known
in primitive times. A Presbytery has been or
gained in Greece, and Immediately ordained
two men TO the full work of the ministry. One
of the ordained is preaching at Salonica. the
ancient Thessalonica, whose Christian inbabi-
tants in the first century Paul wrote. exborting
them to hold C. the traditions which We have
been taught whether by word or our epistle"
TIE Presbyteyy grew out Of the mission of the
Southern Presbyterian Church in Greece
The Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton at Toxic, Japan, consisting wholly Of ma
tives, is about to start a religious magazine. It
is reported, concerning the Chinese boarding
school for boys at Ningpo, that nothing has APP
peared for years that seems to so fully enlist tie
interest and cooperation Of all the natives.
Contributions for its support are given freely
both by the converts and heather people.