The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-02-02


The organ came, and the builders were ready
to put 1t up, when further proceedings were
stopped by the threat OF an injunction in chan
Gerry.
AT the recent meeting of the Pres
byterian General Assembly of New South
Wales the Moderator, the Rev. Henry Ma
cready, called attention to the fact that, though
the Church was comparatively small, it extended
over territory larger than the largest country
OF Europe and which had population of nearly
ooO'ooo Most of the ministers came from the
different branches of the great PRESBYTERIAN
family in the British Isles, and vet ali were
united under the same scriptural form of gov
eminent, without any compromise or difficulty
All their churches were free, and had never
been in bondage to any man. As Presbyterian
Christians they were specially one with all the
members OF the great Presbyterian community
throughout Christendom. The Sustentation
Fund Committee reported, and was authorised
to raise $4,000 at once for initial expenses of
the Fund for working capital and for the ex-
penses and outfit of ministers from the British
Isles for the colonial field. Mr.. Robert Morton
was appointed honorary agent in London, to
supervise the sending out of ministers hide
pendent.
On Friday of the Week of Prayer
in London, the Lord Mayor very appropriately
presided when the following were the topics
suggested
Prayer for all nations, for sovereigns, rulers
legislators, judges, and magistrates of all coun-
tries; for good laws; for universal liberty to
profess and publish the gospel, and for the re-
moval of all enactments favorable to vice
cruelty, oppression or slavery; for the suppress
sion of the opium traffic; for a spirit of nterna.
tional respect and friendliness for the cessation
of war, for soldiers and seamen, and for the
healing and purifying power of Christ among
all peoples"
-THE CONFESSIONAL EXPOSED
Paris paper, of low repute, is printing transla
ton of lie Manuel deS ConfeSseurs. by Bishop
Bouveer. 1t is book of directions to priests
IN the Roman Church to guide them in the Con
tesslonal. Some of these directions are in
famous, and Quinet and Michelet used extracts
from the book which were most damaging to
the Romlsh system. year or two ago an
orator in the French Chamber of Deputies read
some passages from the book, and used them
with terrible effect in onset on the Ultra
montana party in France. For long time the
book could not be procured in the shops. When
the Commune bore rule in Paris search was
made for it, but only three copies could be
found. The work was ordered to be tranlated
but the Commune fell before it could be &C.
complished, and the translator escaped with
only one copy. After many wanderings he
succeeded In publishing the translation, with
notes and comments. He was prosecuted in
Belgium, but in France the Republic is in
power and the publication is allowed The con-
tents form q tremendous indictment against the
priesthood.
-JAPAN.-As a mission field japan is
as fascinating as ever, if possible more so. The
missions of the A. B. C. +. M. have their seven
tenth church in the LIST of Okayama. and ten
ordained native pastors. These churches are
largely selfsupporting. A private letter from
Mr. De Forest to Secretary Clark, printed, not
published, gives most racy account of his
VISIT attended by native helper to Tottori,
town of 20 900 souls on the shores of the North
Sea. Hlringa theatre as the most available
place, they advertised three days preaching by
an American. The head school teacher of lotto
ri had been in the United States, and though not
Christian consented to make the opening
speech. The theatre was packed, and the pres,
sure of outsiders to hear was so great that the
theatre. was broken through in two or three
places. The second day the largest theatre in
town was engaged. A turbulent assembly of
more than 200 within and hundreds without
gathered, " the most uncomfortable crowd vet
seen in Japan" A priest of the Greek church
had been induced to join the missionary and his
helper and the three made brave stand for
Gospel truth. The native and the Greek priest
one after the other gave way, and Mr.. De For
est took his turn. By very adroit management
" the boisterous audience became like a good
old-fashioned church in America on Sunday"
The next night was one of triumph for the ma
tive preacher we'll Outcome? Repeatedly
was it said well, the foreigner is right no
more idols for me-" While the Yesu religion
is forbidden, yet there is no desire to prevent its
spread; and even If there were we couldn't helm
1t" Others said, 1--WE non know that there is
nothing bad about Christianity" and on the
steamboat passengers were overheard to say.
Christianity is not bad you know; there is no
use IN anybody's contending any longer for the
existence of more than one God" A COMPANY
was organized to study the Bible every SUNDAY
evening, the head teacher and his wife among
them and family prayers were offered for the
first time in this city father, mother. and two
sons uniting in the service" Such is the brief
outline of this thrilling letter, giving chapter,
and only chapter, let us rejoice to know. from
=" the acts of the apostles in Japan"
The oldest Protestant church in japan is
scarcely eight years old, and the most of the
sixty seven churches organised are less than
four. Even this fails to more than hint at the
rapid progress of the gospel in this wonderful
empire.
A work of thrilling interest is growing up.
already widespread, under the lead of Dr. Palm
at the head of the Niigata Medical Mission
Western Japan. He and his Japanese assistants
are powerful preachers as we'll as able phvsi-
clans. The work seeks the worker, thrones
him, crowds upon him. 1t goes through end
less useful ramifcations, spreads scientific truth
In the treatment of diseases, removed prejudice
against the practice Of surgery and foreign
drugs, dethrones superstitious quackery, intro
'duces common sense and an improved hygiene.
invites intelligent cooperation in its temporal