The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-07-06
Monthly Review of Missions.

4""y WI. Daouey IeHldIhS, L nave simply TO
add now that we are all well, and refreshed by
our vacation, at least with its change of labor
and are hopeful for the future" From an ex.
tract OF his letter, published in our present
ISSUE 1t will be seen that three persons were ad.
mltted to membership at their last communion
season.
We have intelligence from Greece to the 18th
of May. Mr.. and Mrs. Phipps We're present at
the recent missionary conference at Athens.
were in good health, and were making encourag-
ing progress in the acquisition of the language
On the Sabbath previous Messrs. Egyptiades
and Laortse, native licentiates were ordained
to the full ork of the ministry. Having now
three native ordained ministers connected with
the mission, Greek Presbytery will be formed
at an early day. This indicates progress. and
is an encouraging feature in the condition of
this promising mission.
letter from Mr.. Graybill, of recent date and
publ. he'd in our present issue, mentions that he
had opened new preaching station, and that
seven persons had been received to church mem
bership at that place. Mr.. Hail. under date of
4th May, states: Recent letters, both from
Rev. Messrs. Carrearo and Leandro, are highly
encouraging Indeed, our whole work was
never more promising than at present, and it is
rapidly spreading, so that we can scarcely with
our present forces keep apace with it."
We have letter from Mr.. Houston. of the
goth May, from San Francisco in which he
mentions that he and his party had arrived
there safely, and were expecting to sail for Japan
on the 23d of the month. Mr.. Houston re.
celved important favors from his friend, Mr..
Baker, in Chicago in reduced rates of travel.
free tickets to Japan, amounting in all to more
than 81 900.
A small congregation of Associate Reformed
Christians at Mongaup's Valley, Sullivan coun
ty, n. Y, send us their annual contributions to
QUO foreign missionary fund-this year amount
ing to ~ 1t is very gratifying to record such
kind feeling and liberality on the part of Chris
tan friends who are so distant from us and with
whom we have had no official connection. A
prominent member of the same church has
repeatedly made generous contributions both to
our home and foreign missionary work. and
deserves the thanks of our whole Church.
Mr. sampson, under date of 18th of May,
sends the intelligence that the third article of
the treaty between Turkey and Greece secures
for the people all the rights and freedom nat
could be desired. 1t reads as follows 1.-The life
the property the honor, the religion and practices
OF those of the inhabitants of the provinces that
shall be coded to Greece who shall remain un
der the Greek government shall be preserved
strictly and inviolable. These inhabitants shall
enjoy TO the null extent all the same municipal
and civil rights which the native citizens of
Greece enjoy" ETC., etc. This has most i'm
Rortant bearing on the cause of Foreign Missions.
Inns, remarks Mr.. Sampson, is what we have
desired and prayed for years past.
FINANCIAL OUTLOOK.
The aggregate receipts for the month of
May are IS, 703 %, which is an increase over the
receipts OF the same month last year of 1902 so
This encouraging, especially in view of the fact
that the receipts of April-the first month of the
ecclesiastical year-were good deal larger than
those Il OF the previous April. We earnestly hope
that there will be growing increase for every
subsequent month Of the year. By this means
we will be freed from all debt, will be able to
sustain vigorously all of our existing missions
and be prepared to take steps toward establish.
ing the new mission in Africa That will be a
bright day in the history of our beloved Church.
God grant that it may soon be here
PROPOSED MISSION TO AFRICA.
Most of our readers will have learned before
the present number of The Missionary reaches
them of the action of the General Assembly in
relation to the establishment of mission by
our Church on the continent of Africa We
have not at hand the precise language of the re
solution adopted by the General Assembly. but
so far as we recall, it was that the Fxecn
tive Committee should take steps for the estab
llshment of the proposed mission as soon as the
way was clear for them to do so without inter
lerlng with the vigorous support of the missions
already undertaken. This was wise and
timely act on the part of the Assembly. It is
due to the Master, due to our own consistency
as Church OF Christ, and especially due To the
benlghted inhabitants of Africa. that we do all
we can to lmpart to them, and that as speedilv
as possible, the light and blessings of the Chris.
tan salvation. They have dwelt MANY centu
rles In all the. darkness of heathenism thew
have been stripped and pealed as no other peo
pie on the face of the earth have; and thew are
bowed down at the present time under weight
OF ignorance and superstition that is we'll nIgb
lnsupportable But God, in these latter DAYS
is visiting them for purposes of mercy Through
the operation Of His kind providence all the
geographical secrets of that dark land have
been brought to the light; communities of whose
previous existence we had no knowledge are
now familiar acquaintance her rich and varied
commercial resources have been made known tn
the civilized world; lines of travel are being
opened In every direction, so that almost every
portion OF that vast and benighted land is being
brought within the reach Of the eospel In
deed, the 200,0000 900 inhabitants Of Africa are
standing before us to-day, with outstretcbed
hands, asking for the Bread of life. Almost
every other branch of the evangelical Church
whether in this country or in Europe. is awake
to the emergency, and are doing what thew can
to extend the blessings Of salvation to that peo-
pie. Shall we be idle and Indifferent? God
forbid. We have no doubt young men will
offer themselves for this undertaking as soon az
the facts of the case are known The onlv
question, as it seems to us, is whether the peo.
pie Of God will at once furnish the necessary
means to carry into effect the recommendation
OF the Assembly. The whole matter NAV be
summed up in one single statement: If those
who love this great cause will only increase
thaTr frfb L.. r. -