The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-06-14
FOREIGN CHURCH NEWS.


of the English Presbyterian Synod abiding to
the question of Christian economics recently
remarked that England spent el27, 100000 In
drink, and only 100000 on missions.
The higher schools of Ceylon are
doing good work. In Jaffna College fifty out
OF the seventy three students have renowned
Pagansm for Christianity, and these educated
men will be an immense power in the land.
Mr.. Eugene Bersier is the pastor whom
Americans in Paris go to hear. The unrepener.
ate go to the Church of the Star because thew
hear most beautiful French-M Bersier speaks
with perfect accent and distnctness But
even the careless find themselves very soon at
tracted by the strong personality of the man.
1t is no task to admire his eloquence. His earn.
estnesS and simplicity very soon win affection
and admiration.
The preachers in France. on the
whole most celebrated for eloouence of the bigb.
est order, are said to be Father Hyacinthe and
Father Monsabre. Father Monsabre is now
preaching In the church of Notre Dame He
has openly extolled the Holy Inqnistion. Faith
er Hyaclnthe challenged his successor in the
cathedral to a public discussion Monsabre
consulted his superiors and declined
"A new missionary agency for the
central provinces of India has been suggested
1t Is recommended that missionary communi.
village and develop native industries. Native
customs should be respected. and the appearance
OF European colony should be avoided. The
missionaries should Identify themselves with
the people and exercise moral influence.
The Moravian Church was the
pioneer of the Protestant churches in foreign
missionary work, sending it's first missionarie,
to st. Thomas, in the West Indies, in 1882. Il
Is proposed to celebrate, on August 21st the one
hundred and fftieth anniversary of this event
and to raise jubilee fund in its commemora
tion
The annual summary of British con.
tributions to Missionary Societies has lust beer
completed by Canon Scott Robertson. 1t is al
follows I Church Of England Foreign Missions
1888 O0O; Churchmen and Nonconformist
Societies, $885,370; English and Welsh Non
'contormists, 81 ,52l, 565 Scotch and Irish Pres
,oyteri@ns, S654,875; total, S5,3lO95O.
The United Presbyterian Church O
Scotland, at the late meeting of its SYNOD fopn,
that 1t had balance of $50, 900 in the treasury
OF Its Board of Foreign Missions. and that six
'seVenths OF Its ministers received salary o
RIOOO as mlnlmum-many receiving mucl
more 1t was also comforted with the return
OF Its church membership, which showed tina
instead OF declining, as was the case last year
Its membership was again increasing The S11no,
mad vigorous discussion on the subject If tero
.peraEce, and passed resolution disconrae,;1n
drinking usages."
THE FREE CHURCH AssEMprv
The Free Church General Assemble met in ia
inbuTgh, May 18th, and DR.. Robert Macdonald
OF North Leith, was chosen to succeed DIR
haughton as Moderator On the second dav
committee reported on overtures asking In
Assembly to examine the writings of Professo
robertson Smith and Bruce, and deal with then
rs the cause OF truth and sound doctrine require
Inc committee voted not to transmit any o
these overtures, save one from the Presbytery
Oh Dornocn, concerning Prof Bruce's book
Inc Chief End of Revelation" DR.. Robert
son smith, who sits in the Assembly az AN aIder
took the floor and urged that the action of III,
committee OF which he is member in nresar :
ing the overture, be not sustained but the Az
5emoiy refused TO adopt motion to this effec
by vote OF 70 to 1873 Subsequently, Princi
pal Rainy, who prosecuted the case aoains
Froi smith, last year, gave notice of the follow
ing motion '''''"
That, in all the circumstances the Genera
Assembly do not Judge it necessary nor az
Pedlent to take any action in the line indicates
~ the overtures' respecting the writings o.
froi. Robertson Smith and Prof Brucel.
Mr.. Beltour gave notice of motion 10 tb,
opposite effect The great fight in the Assem-
ply was on the disestablisbment question. Their,
Gelng much difference Of opinion, as we have
shown from time to time, since the Commission
resolved to take the matter up. Principa
halny brought forward the report of the com
mlttee, which stated the action they had bro
posed to the Commission and which the CON
mission had adopted, and expressed the opinion
that the time had come for The Free Church tr
express It's opinion plainly on the continues
connection Of Church and State in scotland
Dr. Rainy, 10 connection with the report. mad,
q motion to the effect that the time had com,
Tor strenuous action in favor of disestablishment
and that the committee be continued, with in
.structions to take every proper means for BRING