The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-06-14
(From the Catholic Presbyterian)
Greece-Evangelical Efforts.

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nit any examination of the peculiar and
powerful influences which have CO.
operated to make work among the or
thodox Greeks everywhere, but especially
in Greece, apparently at least, so unpro-
ductive.
1t is certainly fact that ever since
the original plan OF reform work "
which proved itself so mistaken, was
given up by nearly all the missionary
societies, comparatively small direct re-
suits have been realised from effo. is to
foster and develop native Evangelical
Churches among the Greeks. These
churches are few and small.
Still, this is not the only, nor, indeed,
a correct standard by which the amount
of work done, or results for good accom-
plished, are to be measured in any field.
Great is the work done in Syria by
the Presbyterian Board, as shown in the
grand church with which DIR. Jessup is
connected, or the college, at the head OF
which DIR. Bliss stands, still one must
take into consideration not only these
direct results, in order TO arrive at any
Just estimate Of the influence exerted by
that noble mission, but also the great
stimulus given to the Maronites, Greeks,
and Mohammedans to develop their own
institutions, so as to compete with, if not
counterfeit, the influences of the mis-
sionaries
The same facts should be taken into
consideration in measuring the real good
accomplished by the Presbyterians in
Egypt, or the American Board in its
glorious work among the Armenians and
Bulgarians.
In Greece proper, since Protestant
schools for the children Of orthodox
parents are forbidden by law, this great
arm of mission work is powerless, but
the introduction of Evangelical truth
here is making itself clearly felt.
The number of converts is small, and
the churches are insignificant, but the
existence Of these churches is a constant
protest against the Established Church
and its treatment of the Scriptures as
well as Of its members AS an indirect
result of what has been done by outside
pressure, one seems justified in consider
ing the following facts:-
l. Two Church papers have been
started within the past two years, with
this among other avowed obects-to
counteract the work of the missionaries.
These papers are edited by men of
decided ability and cannot fail to exert
a great influence for good among the
people.
2. One of these papers, taking as its
text the fact that new station had been
established at Yanina by the Greek
Evangelical Church, in an article two
weeks ago set forth at considerable
length the necessity of introducing more
preaching into the services of the Church.
3. This same paper, some time ago,
had an excellent article on the failure of
the Orthodox Church to discharge her
duties as that of true Church, since
CD She made no effort to establish mis-
Sions; (2) She did almost nothing to in
struet and edify her people; and (3) She
was absolutely powerless in cleansing
herself of faithless members. as one Of
them was teaching the grossest material
ism in the university, and nothing was
done to hinder him
4. Nearly 10000 copies of Scriptures
were sold during the past year by the
two Bible Societies. OF these, more than
one half were translationsin into the Modern
Greek, which are forbidden by the Holy
Synod.
5. About two years ago law was en-
acted by which the reading of the New
Testament was made obligatory in the
highest classes Of the public schools.
Until this law was passed, there was
comparatively no reading of the Scrip
lures by the younger members of the
Church, or those even older, who had
only passed through the public schools
6. A paper was drawn up, and signed
by a large number of thslnost respecta
bic merchants of Athens, wherein it was
agreed that the shops should beshut on
Sabbath This compact has not been
strictly kept. Still, 1t was a movement
in the right direction.
7. At the recent elections, there were
two candidate who have been constant
and violent in their attacks upon the
practices of the Church and her highest
officers. They both failed of election,
but obtained no mean minority They
both favor the reading Of the Bible, al
though they are a long way off from
Protestant standpoint
8 The editor of an influential paper
in Athens candidly expressed in the
presence of the writer, when asked why
he persisted in publishing things about
the Evangelical workers among the
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