The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1883-04-04
MISSIONS.

1nc m66tlDR vi luc w Oludu VI
eign Missionary Society of the Presbytery of
Baltimore was held lately. Near the close of
the meeting an unexpected gift of $1,000 In
bank notes was sent, by an unknown contr-
butor, to the Treasurer, accompanied by the fol-
lowing note: Last February gave 81 900 to
medical missions (woman's) l thank God 1 am
permitted to do SO again friend of missions"
"A late letter from India says that
the past year has been the most prosperous in
the history of the United Presbyterian mission
in that country. The increase in membership
has been over fifty per cent. More than two
hundred have been baptized in the district of
Sealkot alone.
The interesting work of grace among
the Indians on the Mosquito Coast, Central
America, which has been in progress nearly
year, still continues. AT last accounts over 400
persons had joined the church and more were
waiting to be received.
The mission of the American Pres
byterian Board in Japan, reports the following
statistics Present adult membership of its
churches, 9SS; additions during the year, 224 !;
male missionaries, 10; female missionaries, II
stations, organized churches, 16; ordained
preachers and pastors, 5.
Joseph Cooks last lecture touched
on Woman's Work for Woman" He gave
facts, which were of intense interest gathered
In his tour In the East. The summary of evils
In the lot of woman In Asia is a terrible one
The summary of remedies correspondent TO the
evils, and then came his testimony to this eff
tect The most surprising and perhaps the
most significant increase in missionary work in
India In the past decade has been in the depart
ment of womans work. Not only have four
new ladies societies entered the field since 1877,
but there has been an amazing development of
indigenous workers. In 1871 there were OH
native Christian female agents engaged in mis-
sionary work. In 1881 there were no less than
1914 The number of European and Eurasian
ladies reported is 54l The successors of Lydia,
and Priscilla, and Phebe. and Persis, and the
daughters of Philip, already outaumber the $50
men who not many years ago monopolized the
use of the title missionary The progress OF
zenana work has been astonishing"
CENTRAL AMERICA-Our general
knowledge concerning Central American affairs
Is very limited, and when It comes to n consid
Grafton of the status In religious matters even
still more so. The county in extent is four
times the size of the State of New York. and
within Its boundaries are five republics and one
British colony. Its inhabitants number about
five millions, of whom 100000 belong to Qua
temala. The soil is exceedingly rich and the
seasons of a similar character to those of Cali
tornia. The low lands consist of a strip along
the coast about thirty miles in width. Here 1t
Is intensely hot; but in the uplands the Their
mometer seldom goes higher than So degrees,
nor lower than Al. In the republic of Guate-
mala the products coffee sugar, dye stuffs.
ETC., and within Its boundaries are to be found
immense quantities of over one hundred va
rletles OF timber. The history of Guatemala is
most interesting one. When in 1921 Mexico
declared her independence from the yoke of
Spain, Guatemala and her sister provinces fol-
lowed suit; but this independence pertained
Ivy M or,l q Il @
Alter the revolution twelve years ago, the coun-
try was reorganized under the dictatorship OF
General Barrios, who has since been constitu-
tional President. Under his administration a
reign of peace and prosperity has prevailed.
One of his first official acts was to grant freedom
to the peers, followed by the expulsion of the
Jesuits and other disturbing elements, and free
dom of worship was granted
In the city of Guatemala a most successful
and prosperous Protestant mission has been es-
tabllshed. This city has a population of 60 OOO
more than 900 of whom speak the English
language. The city is very beautiful, and is
designated the Paris of Central America The
churches are numerous and very substantially
built in some instances the walls being twelve
feet IN thickness. Rev. ]. c. Hill, who for a
year past has been deeply interested in Protes-
tant work in Guatemala, and who has been il
that held sufficiently long to understand the
people and their need, is now in this country
earnestly endeavoring to promote the work O
Protestant missions there. He describes the
people as sober, Industrious hon st, and ceanly
and easily accessible to the truths of the Cos
pei The establishment of the Mission at Guat-
emala will no doubt be amply sustained by the
American, English, and German residents of the
city, as well as by many of the natives There
will be no difficulty in securing fair congrega-
ton at all times. and it will not be long before
good work will be reported from that new
Rehabilitation at Work