The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-11-01
FOREIGN CHURCH NEWS.

ORDA1N O11 ~ hCf1 IN VS.,
-INDIA-Rev. Mr.. Wvckoff of the
American Reformed Church writes from Tlndi-
yanam India on July 9th, 6 1t was my privi-
lege to baptize goodly number of people and to
receive fifty persons into the full communion of
the church, on tour of my out-stations Just
completed. This makes in all seventy one re-
ceived on confession since 1st OF January"
The Brahmo SomaJ the new Church of India,
may be called compromise" religion, Keshub
Chunder Sen goes on pigrimages in " the wor-
ship-room" of his own house. The saints are
visited on the following dates Moses, February
% Socrates, March Z Sakya March IA; the
Rlshls, March q Christ August, s NOLAN.
med September 10; Chaitanya, September 25 :;
scientific men, O October Christ is to us,
ne says " the greatest, his life the purest, but
he Is only prinus inter pares," FIRST among
equals.)
In number of students the seminary at Rama
patan IN India, among the Telugus, outranks
any other Baptist theological seminary in the
world, while IN the Importance and usefulness
OF Its work 1t IS perhaps second to none. Thirty.
one out OF forty seven of the senior class a wear
ago remained for fourth years study. and a
new class of forty-fve entered. During the
Christmas vacation the students visited many
villages, and preached and talked to a great
number OF people. This Telugu field has been
blessed with a multitude of conversions within
few years.
Church AND STATE IN France
The conflict of parties over the relations of
Church and State promises to make the an
preaching session of the French Assembly a
stormy one. The principal Issue will be over
the new school law, the liberal provisions of
which are particularly distasteful to the church
party. Under this law parents are permitted to
SEND their children to the public state schools,
the Tree schools, or to instruct them at home
NO religious conditions are imposed either as to
the matter or the manner of education. Even
where children taught at home the law de
mands nothing beyond the proof that a certain
amount OF elementary instruction has been re
celved by them 1t is this freedom of choice
that has excited the active hostility of the
| Ultramontanes to the measure. They assert
Ihat In leaving parents entirely free to ACCEPT
rellgous instruction or not the government has
exceeded ITS powers On the other hand, it is
expected that the extreme Liberals will oppose
the government on the ground that it has not
gone far enough. They demand the absolute
separation Of church and state, and to that end
VIII open the session by direct attack on the
budget for the theological faculties If this is
successful, M. Paul Bert will submit bill de-
hnlng the privilege and prohibitions of the Con
cordat, OF so restrictive nature as to practically
cut off all aid from the state for RELIGIONS in
struction Even evangelical churches ioin with
the Catholic IN denouncing such a measure as
destructive rather than reformatory, and in ex
pressing hope of its defeat
--FRANCE.-Ani interesting sailing mis-
81 IN IN the form Of Seamen's Bethel is going
from port OF port, along the coast and up the
rivers OF France, to evangelize the people 1t
IS In charge of Rev. Messieurs Gibson and J P.
Cook They stay for two or three days, dstrib
ute Bibles, preach, and then sail away to an
other place
Lord Radstock, of England, who did such excel.
lent evangelistic work in Russia has lately been
holding meetings at Trouvlle France
Pastor Monchatre, of Elbouf, France, writes
The time has come TO work with all our might
Tor evangelsation in France. No political I'm.
pedlment comes in our way. The pastor in
france Is generally loved and respected by the
masses. After the example of Christ he aims at
being the friend Of the people and the people
know 1t, feel it, and love to hear him. We ad-
dress them in ball rooms, theatres, and the open
ar The work of Chrst strengthens and spreads"
-JAPAN.-Rev Mr.. Pettee of the
American Board writes from Okayama japan
The Christians of this city have divided them
selves into eleven classes, according to locality.
Each division will choose a leader hold monthly
meetings and is expected to look after its own
membership as to attendance at meetings and
general spiritual progress. 1t is the Methodist
Olass Meeting with some variations and seems
L biAdi az Atdob VII results can De
noted. We have good number of fine lads
connected with our Christian families and Sab
bath Schools. Some forty of them. thinking
their elders did not provide them with enough
means of grace, have taken the matter into their
own hands, and organized Christian Debating
Society. They hold semi weekly meetings. and
address each other on the great truths of Chris.
tanity. There is great enthusiasm over the
new movement which originated entirely
among themselves, and good results are already
apparent"
-SPA1N-Rev. Thomas L. Gulick of
the American Board writes from Zarapoza
Spain at our last communion eight new
members Joined the church. -Four of them were
young people between eighteen and twenty four
years Of age, and four we're the parents of Young
people, who had been converted before and
now had brought their parents to knowledge
Of the gospel. This is fresh proof of what we
are constantly seeing, that the schools are the
nurseries Of the church, and not only for the
salvation Of the young, but Of their parents az
as well. -Four Of those who Joined at this time
formed the entire family which had escaped