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

The Christian Union SAYS a Chris
tan woman of Maine recently died AT a
period some years prior to her death she had
been IN the habit of selling the milk from their
one cow which the family did not REQUIRE. She
deposited the amount from year to year in the
savings bank, and requested on diving that it
might be devoted to foreign missions. When
the great tide of giving rolled over the late
meeting at Portland this widows mite was
handed In with others. 1t amounted to $500
Secretary Alden related the incident at the hall
while the Woman's Board meeting at another
place had left before him an audience composed
almost exclusively of men. He said, at is al.
ways so. Whatever is done for missions. or
wherever 1T Is done, the spirit of some self
sacrlhclng woman will be found coming 10 the
front"
Among the many evidences of the
weakening OF caste in India is to be found the
recent action OF Santals in one of the districts
north OF Calcutta The Scottish Free Church
Mission in the districts of Serampore and
hurchatta has brought about, IN the last three
years, number of conversions among the
Santals. The latter tried very hard to keen
themselves free from contamination and caused
1t to be known that whoever ate with Chris
tans or attended their schools would be treated
as outcasts. In the village of Satibad the rela
yves OF one OF the first converts Kauhu were
outcast because they had eaten with him and
mad to pay sum of money to the SantaIs of
the district IN order to be reinstated In course
OF time, however, many became guilty of the
crime of eating with Christians, and Kaubu
knowing that this was an open secret. proposed
to make an effort to abolish the distinction set
up. "a Punchayet, or council, was accordingly
held at the call of the head man of the district
the missionary being present to urge that there
would be no harm in eating Christian food
which was cooked the same as heather food
1t vas agreed, with but little discussion. that
this should not be counted as a sin against caste
The money which had been paid BY Kauhu's
relatives was returned, and henceforth the
Santals of that district may become Christians
without becoming outcasts. The missionaries
are jubilant.
The missionaries driven out Of
Egypt by the late war have returned to their
posts and taken up their duties where thew left
them nearly as possible. Messrs. Alexander
and Harvey, OF the United Presbyterian staff
arrived in Alexandria, September 18th, and
went to Cairo as soon as the railroad could be
repaired and passes obtained They arrived in
Cairo, September Doth They found the mis-
sion property unframed and the native mem
bers all SAFE Mr. Alexander writes that reports
show that Arab Pasha had about 100000 nm.
der arms but as soon as they heard of the bat.
tie Of Tel-el Kebir, they threw down their arms
and rushed to their homes. Arabi did not re.
present the people at all. There was great re
joicing among all sects over the end Of the war.
The natives kept their religious meetings Miss
Whately (Anglican) has also resumed her school
work in Cairo. When the war broke out she
had a daily attendance Of 300 BOYS and 200
girls, Of whom nearly two thirds were Moslem
There IS a medical mission in connection with
this important school and it is expected that
the demands upon its resources will be very
greatly increased.