The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-11-29
We are informed that the president

We are informed that the president
OF the republic of Guatemala, Gen. j. Rutino
Barrios is very cordial to the new mission being
established In his country by Rev. John G. Hi Il
as the representative Of the Presbyterian Church
of the United States
In Germany, Drs. Baedeker and
Ziemann are attracting attention through their
success in evangelistic work. DR.. Baedeker was
recently offered ordination by the Lutheran
church, but declined on the ground that he was
more free as heSYas to carry the gospel wherever
he was called. DIR. Baedecker and Dr. ZIemann
concur in thinking that great change has
come over the German spirit within the last few
years. There is less Indifference among the
people. and even in the unbelieving circles
there is much less patience with rationalism than
formerly. In some of the villages a kind of
Salvation Army, not differing much in its
methods from the English army has been formed
by the younger Christian workers.
The Hon. Arthur Elliot M. P. of
England has published book on The State and
the Church, in which he quotes Dean Stanley as
stating that the first century and half bish-
OPP and Presbyter' were used as convertible
terms and that it is " sure that nothing like
modern episcopacy existed before the close of
the first century," Whereupon the American
Church Review (Episcopalian) comments :" 1t
Is misfortune Ito Mr.. Elliott that he should have
gone to the late Dean of Westminster for nfor-
nation upon historical subject" And in re-
ference to another assertion Mr.. Elliot might
Just as well have stated that this sentiment is
held only by such Noncomformists in the Enc
E'sh church as was the late Dean Stanley and its
open enemies" (The italics are the eUie,O's)
The Dean of Westminster Nonconformist
That does sound odd But as fact he was
subject to no one but the Queen-and the Queen
attends the Presbyterian Church in Scotland.
protestant Work IN SYRIA AND
PALEsTiNE.-The population of Syria and Pal
estine is estimated at 2,076 Bill Of these there
are 100000 Moslems; $50, 900 Nusairiyeh; $50
600 Maronites; 235 900 Greeks $4,000 Papal
sects; 10000 Jews; 10000 Ismailiyeh, Gypsies
ect.; 10000 Armenians Is 900 Jacobites 1OO.-
600 Druzes; 6,3l1 Protestants; 10000 Bedawin
Arabs
Rev. DR.. Isaac G. Bliss reports: The Bible in
the homes of the better class of the nominal
Christian people in Syria is as wel-read as in
any land. With the exception of the class un-
der the immediate control of the Jesuits and the
more tanatlcal Moslems the most of the people
are glad to bean the Bible read to them. The
German deaconesses give a German Bible to
each orphan girl onSeaving their large institu-
tion and you will find these Bibles in places
where you had not expected to see them, and
the poor women read them with comfort. What
Is true of Syria is true of other sections of
the land. In Ancient Pontus most hope
1ul WoIk is III progress among both Armenian
and Greek women. The enlightenment and
elevation of some of these Christian sisters bring
them into marked contrast with those who have
not come under the power of gospel truth. In
the principal towns, and in the smaller and even
mountain villages of this province there. are
bands of loving sisters who remind us of those
whom Paul so honored and commended. There
are numerous incidents to show how many,
whose only spiritual counsellor is the Bible are
struggling up into the light, and taking their
position as workers for Christ by the side of
those who have from their youth been trained
in these things
The Protestants have 3o2 schools in Syria of
which the American Presbyterians have 1913.
and the English Church Missionary Society As.
The Rev. DR.. ]. A WyGe saws of the
American Presbyterian Mission 1.-The Ameri
cans are doing great work here Their COL
lege at Beirut sends forth yearly large BODY
of educated Moslems, Syrians, etc.-rninisters,
doctors, teachers. They have been operating
here for a half century the first laborers sleep
in the quiet churchyard beside their church but
Others. equal in zeal and ability, have come
after them and their work has now developed
into large proportions and is telling powerfully
on Syria. 1t is creating a new country"
Gospel IN AL Lands