The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1884-01-16
MISSIONS.

THE EVER FRESH PARABLE.-A
boy came to buy a Gospel We gave him St
Luke's, and turning to the parable of the Prodi-
gal Son we asked HIM to read it. After he had
read it, he told us in his own words what he had
read and we explained it. The next day he
came for another Gospel, and the catechist gave
him st. Matthew's He came back to the tent
soon after, and said:
81 don't like this. I should like one the
same l had before"
"Why would you like the same" we asked
i" | took the one 1 bought before" he said,
and read the story you pointed out to me to a
man In the village. 1t was so nice that he
another for myself"
1t is fine instance of the Bible winning its
way by its own power. There is something in
that parable which seems to commend it to the
human heart, matter in what language it is
written.-ReO. c. Mountort, Mask India.
Nor AFRAID TO USE A CHRISTIAN
Book IN SCBooL.-Rijute is now teaching the
Corean language in the Government University,
and ssusing DIR. Martins Evidences of Chris
tianity text book. He is also making
good progress In the translation OF the New
Testament. He has done good work among
his people in leading several very prominent
men to study the Bible and inquire into the
truths of its teachings. He was formerly the
Government historian.
Late reports from Corea tell us that college
has been opened at Seoul the improvement of
the roads has been begun on grand scale; the
growth of mulberry trees has been introduced
In order to improve the quality of the silk, and
the contract for a telegraph CT Bile from Fusan to
Nagasoki has been completed. The cable is to
be laid and communication opened by January
l. 1884.
"A correspondent of the Springfield
Republican, from whose letter we gather these
items, speaks Of the favorable judgment passed
by some of the native papers upon Chris
tianity and he quotes from the Choya Shinbun
as follows:
We find missionaries laboring hard in all
parts of the land, and already making great
'conquests among the population. Observe the
surprising rapidity with which the number of
Christians is increasing. Having the experience
of the past before us, 1T is not difficult to decide
which one of the two religions will come off
victorious. Considering the short period since
the introduction of Christianity into this coun-
try, the restriction upon travel in the interior
and the limited knowledge of Japanese among
missionaries, we must be surprised at the rapidity
with which that religion is taking hold of the
people and supplantlng Buddhism"
The Missionary Record, Of the Pres
byterian Church Of Scotland, speaking from an
experience Of two years, suggests certain means
which have been found to be fruitful of results
IN awakening missionary interests, az follows
"lst United Movements IN Presbyteries in
behalf Of the missions including the Observance
Of mission Sundays" This canvassing Of the
Church by presbyteries, including the shepherd.
less, churches, would be an admirable work for
our Presbyterial Committees on Foreign Mis-
sions.
ID. District Missionary Demonstrations for
one day" something like our missionary day at
the Synods. These have been attended with
good results in Scotland, prominent ministers and
laymen being enlisted in the services.
Sd. ConUentions Of more protacted char
acter, during which papers were read and differ
ent topics connected with missions were dis.
cussed.' These correspond to our missionary
conventions. Every Church +" says the Record
land 1t might add, every age Of the Church,,
" DEVELOPS new wants, and God gives wisdom
TO meet them. Any Church that seeks to be
living power in the land must be ready to take
advantage cf every means by which sees that
Christian hearts can be stirred and good TO
humanity can be DONE"