The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-07-12


never, hope, be allowed to join the League"
"A great religious movement has been
in progress during the past three wears in
Venice. In 1878 the Protestants represented
by the Evangelical Church of Italy obtained a
useful meeting place In so conspicuous position
as the Place SAINT Marc. So great has been the
increase, owing to the conversion of number of
persons who had formerly lived disre putable
lives in the Catholic Church, that they were
able to purchase the historical Church of Santa
Marguerite, near the railway station Here the
good work has been amplifed. A good Sunday
School and other religious works owe their
origin and maintenance IN great measure to the
widow of Captain Hammond, who was the
ploUs regimental companion of Captain Hedley
Wears.
The following statistics in regard to
the Canada Presbyterian Church were reported
to the recent General Assembly:
Returns have been received from 9O3 pastoral
charges and stations, showing that there were
1909 congregations or stations forming these
charges. The number of families reported is
65, 593, an increase of 400 on last year and of
communicates, 116 ,687, showing an increase of
3,7l7 on those of the preceding year. Baptism
was administered to 0,3S5, and the attendance
in Sabbath Schools and Bible classes is 81 ,675.
Then $52S, 05l were promised by the congrega.
tons as a stipend, and nearly $4,000 were paid
more than promised; 1888, 523 were expended
on churches and manses; 1929, 4So were raised
for the schemes of the church, large increase
on the year before. Sabbath Schools and Bible
classes raised $14 464. The amount raised for
all purposes was 81 ,40S,S72, being an increase
OF Yl63,377 on the preceding year. Twenty
years ago the total amount contributed for For
eign Missions was $2067, whereas last year the
total amount was SAT ,l16, showing steady and
uninterrupted growing increase.
M. Roches recent proposition in the
French Chamber of Deputies to abolish Chris.
tianity by completing the spoliatlon of the re-,
llglous bodies, and handing over all churches
land cathedrals for secular purposes, has excited
very little attention IN this country. Though
perhaps no one here believes it to be serious it
is certain that number of educated men in
France would not be at all opposed to it. A
writer IN one of the English secular journals
commenting on this state of things, saws that in
France, especially in Paris good many people
believe nothing, and that of those who are re
hglous, few now care to profess themselves good
Cathollcs: In England, as a rule, thinking men
nave no desire to see contempt poured upon any
religious forms which are still honestly believed
IN but there is, he thinks, general feeling
now prevalent that the church in France has
ceased to represent any believable doctrine or
even any practicable system of morals. Its
ceremonies, he says, are half insincere; Its
peculiar doctrines mass of exploded metaphv-
sizes and its moral ideas simply out of harmony
with healthy human nature. In spite of these
damaging characteristics, no doubt the Roman
Catholic church retains considerable influence
IN the French provinces The good country
cures are still beloved. and keep alive a certain
sense sense OF general propriety combined with
KIND OF religious sentiment. In the large towns
their action is more questionable. Still, when
ever there is really eloquent preacher who
can car tax anything like common sense, Notre
fact must point to something 1t points to what
Renan calls the necessity of an instruction
morale ct same If the demolition of the
church meant the destruction of religion, people
like NJ. Roche and Paul Bert would have
much rougher time of it; but am not at all
sure that some such extreme measures as thew
advocate would not be very good for religion
In France. In the old days the cathedrals and
churches were the results of religion in these
days religion is supposed to owe its continuance
and vitality to the church system. The sooner
that idea is overthrow the better. - Interior