The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1885-03-25
THE MISSION FIELD.

Mr.. Shaw, the veteran missionary in
Madagascar has just issued book in London
on the Malagasy and the French Invasion. One
of the most interesting and valuable chapters is
that on the present civil and religious state of
the people. He says
" 1t Is not TOO much to say that no nation,
with, perhaps, the exception of the Japanese,
has made so much progress, and has shown so
much vlgor Tor development in civilization and
Christianity, the Malsgasy, especially the
Hova-, during the past twenty years. Since
the late queen, Ranavalona H. ascended lhe
throne, giant strides have been made in social.
political and religious progress The arts of
civilization have been encouraged by those In
authority. The people are well housed, well
clothed, and well fed. The houses are better
built, OF better material better arrayed and
well furnished with well-made native furniture
characterization OF civilized type has taken the
place of the crude and often gaudy attempts of
twenty years ago. and the siversmith and gold
smith find plenty of employment Carpenters,
stonemasons, blacksmiths boolmakers, and tail.
ors have also learned to turn out articles which
would be no discredit to work men in this coun.
try while the best buildings in the capital
would be no discredit to the finest city in the
world
"Slnce 1875 vast strides in moral and spirit
ual progress have BEEN made, and the social
condition of the lnhabi;au BIS been vastly i'm
proved by the settlement Of European mission
aries amongst them. In an rbese districts sn.
perstitlon has been losing It's hold upon the peo
pie; polygamy, If not absolutely abolished has
at any rate become very rare; and cleanly.
wholesome habits have been taking the place of
the old Nth and discomfort DVination and
sorcery are almost unheard Of, and the people
may as whole be said to be all nominally
Christian.
e" complete change for the better has, dur
ing the past few years, come over these people
desire Tor Improvement is evinced, and a spirit
OF progress has taken possession of them Their
houses are no longer the filthy little novels of
one room onl y, which was made to answer for
every purpose; their churches they have en-
deavored to make, both in outward appearance
and IN internal ornament, worthy of the wor-
ship to be conducted in them and their cloth
ing Is no longer the small greasy piece of mat
tlng, or roha cloth, but N this too they have
strlven to initiate the Europeans. So that on
Sunday, In one of the better built churches. a
stranger would not only see nothing to offend
his taste, but he would iud as much order and
decorum among the well dressed worshippers as
ne would find at home. Ind pendent
Public adoption Of Christian prac-
tlce or principle anywhere in mission lands is
an encouraging step torY ard Thus the Rev
Mr. McLaren writes q q nmittee of mission
aries have lately had an IN eryiew with pro
minent member of the Japanese cabinet with
the view Of obtaining from the Government
some recognition of Christianity, and have not
only been most courteousiy received but have
been encouraged to hope that their wishes may
be complied with. 1t Is not IF course wished
that the Government should Cgnize Christian
~ IN the way of setting up a State church, at
least the great majority of missionaries wish no
such thing, but it is desired that they should
recognize II as a religion which is neither for.
hidden by the laws nor frowued on by the exc
cutlve and which the people are free to profess
If they think proper"
And if the diverse is such, here is
the reverse, fresh from the pen OF the Rev Mr..
Atkinson The Government has abolished
official priesthood, though it has not publicly
recognized Christianity The BuddhIsts are
certainly weakened by the taking away Of
government recognition and support Shintosm
lthe court religion) s said to be on the way TO
being set aside as a department Of antiquities.
The priests Will probably be pensoned of as
the saDpuroi OF retainers Of the daimios were
when the feudal system was abolished A ma
tive paper says that since t1e Government has
made the recent changes in lhr religious admin
lstTation, an active demand has sprung mp for
bibles. Buddhist priests arc Che principal pur-
chasers' The coming times ere & ing to be live
~ ones without doubt
How HE SAW THE Gos4h -"Have
you ever heasd the Gospel beforoY asked an
Euglishman at Ningpo Of Chinaman, whom he
had not seen 10 his msslon-room before No.
he replied, but have seen lt. know a man
who used to be the terror Of bis neghborhood
II you gave hin a hard word he would shout
at you, and curse you for two lays aud nights
without ceasing. lie was as dangerous as a wild
beast and a bad opium smoker but when the
religion Of esus took hold Of him he became
wholly changed He is gentle moral not soon
angry, and has lefl oft opium. Truly, the teach
ing is good "
"A Monument to the late DR.. MoGat, (
the African missionary, is to be erected at his
birthplace, Ormiston, a village distant about
twelve miles from Edinburgh