The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-11-08
Papal Europe.


Record of the McAll Mission, Rev. Hora-
titus Bonar says of the work m Paris:
Without artificial excitement, without
the noise of axes and hammers, with moth
ing but the still small voice of the gospel,
the work in Paris still proceeds apace.
Every week, almost every day, brings the
good news of some stray one gathered in,
or some awakened one seeking the light.
With the great message Of forgiveness, the
workers go forth as hitherto in quest of
the lost; and with the proclamation of
rest they address the weary. Not in vain
no, not IN vain, either among young or
old The heavenly wcrd does not return
void. 1t lays hold of the ignorant, the
self-righteous, the infdel, the Romanist.
the lover of pleasure, the dead in sin. In
the midst of many discouragements, our
Paris workers labor on; and he that
reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth
.truIt unto life eternal" so that in the
midst OF toll and WEAKNESS the song of
Joy is heard: 1.-THE Lord hath done great
things for us, whereof we are glad"
Through the chapter read, or the hymn
sung, or the simple word of conversation,
or the plain tract telling the good news
of Gods free love, many are finding their
way from the crucifx to the cross; from
the merits of the saints to the righteous
ness of the Son of God from the human
priests below to the great High Priest
above. The light spreads; the Word of
the Lord has free course, and is glorifed
But the laborers still are few and the
means of sending more are lacking. The
men and the means are sorely needed
We send out our appeal once more for
these. l can testify from What I saw and
heard In June last, when I visited Paris,
that the work goes on unslackened and
[ can also testify to the over-toil and ex.
haustlon OF the reapers who, early and
late, 60 out day by day to reap the i'm
mense harvest that lies before them.
They ask for sympathy and help and in
tercession. Shall we refuse these?"
And it is not alone in Paris, but in all
parts of France that soldiers are re-
oruited to the faith Towns to which Mr..
McAll has not yet been able to give his
meetings, beset him with their claims.
saying that their turn has come. M. st.
Hilaire, member of the Institute of
France, uses the following eloquent Ian
guage in a letter to Mr.. McAll:
The gospel gains ground every day in
the cities and in the country, and every
where are the signs of constantly grow !
ing WEAKNESS and dislike Of ancient super
5titions. The deserters form two classes.
the one composed of those who, tired with |
seeing religious belief shamelessly made
trade of, are resolved to believe in moth |.
ing, and they know well, are only too
numerous; but, thank God, there is a Gee
ond class land who can say that it will |
not soon form the majority p the mem
Ders of which comprehend that a people,
be it even the nation of Voltaire can not
10 without religion, and that. the most
biting sarcasm is powerless to set aside
his need of belief and Of hope, which
nay, indeed, slumber for time, but
which can never be extiDguisbed in man s
leart.
Circumstances have never been more
favorable. Never before has there been
UGH liberty to seek TO spread the gospel.
every time that atheism has made it's
the adherents Of the gospel
AVE had opportunity to reply, and might
,ftener have ayailed themselves Of it.
There is now liberty for meetings Of all /
,inds, for those in which religion is de-
ended as well as for those in which it is
ssailed and those you have founded,
lear Mr. Neal, have been surrounded
" protection and respect under all the
'olitical changes. Pr9testantism-rather