The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1883-01-31
The Flying Evangel.

Nv y AAASo AIN ohSO1'
A few years ago Europe was Papal
Europe. Perhaps it is little less so to.
day, FOR in many parts it is still goddess,
without Christ except as He is falsifed
and distorted in the mummeries and
idolatries which would shame the better
class of Pagans, and with quality of
morals of which the least said the better.
But while the results of the teaching of
the Church of Rome still exist, it's &C.
clesiastical grip on the bodies and souls
and consciences of the masses has been
very materially lessened, and with the
incoming of purer Gospel we may ex-
pect soon to witness the flight of the I'M
clean things which have SO long been
bred and fattened amid its superstitions
and darkness. Nothing can more sharply
emphasize the difference between the
church and Professionalism in its
nations and peoples than
mat those nations which have
, thrown off, the yoke of Rome have SO
gained in moral and political force, and
IN all the elements which make States
powerful and influential, as to completely
overshadow such as remain faithful to
her fatal communion. While the latter
have been constantly losing ground, and
have no longer weight in the scale of ma
tons, the others have advanced in power
and greatness, until, to-day, in. every
thing that is good and grand, they domi-
nate the world.
presents at once the most interesting and
singular phase of the marked and won
derful change that is now progressing in
the once absolutely Catholic States of
Europe. Daily the gulf widens between
the masses of the people and their ancient
church. The present great danger of
France is, that without the religion Of
the Bible the mass Of the people will be-
come aiienated from even the form of re.
llglon, and sink into british infidelitv.
Atheism is popular and well organized
and there are thousands of nominal
Christians in France who have never
heard prayer in their own mother
tongue, or listened to a hymn of intel
llgent praise, or read chapter in the
Bible. Such has been some of the re-
suits OF the teachings Of the Roman
Catholic church.
But to-day evangelists are at work in
every part of the country and they
speak Of the surprise and enthusiasm
with which these novelties are every
where received by the people, The
lecturing tours of the Mission In
terieure," home missionary society :;
composed principally of lay workers, are
proving great success. The theatres
and public halls are crowded with at
tentive audiences to listen to their dis
cussions of religious subjects. The fact
OF their coming in many instances for
miles, and their general purchase Of
Bibles, proves that France is fairly
awake, and hungering for the Bread Of
Life. The McAll Mission is now enter
ing on the tenth year OF its existence
with the most cheering prospects. 1t has
now fifty stations in France, twenty-nine
OF which are in Paris Ground has been
broken in ST. Etienne, large manufac-
turing town. The working classes, who
form the majority of the people, are
nearly all infdels, and at first opposed
the movement. Now the halls are
crowded with attentive hearers. The
Gospel hymn, Tell me the old old
story" is as widely sung in the French
as in the English tongue The Bible
often foreruns the preacher, and no less
than seven millions Of copies have been
distributed in France by the British and
Foreign Society, principally among Ro-
man Catholics.