The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1885-06-17

Mr.. JAMES E. MATHIEsoN writes to
the London Christian on the necessity
of more enlarged efforts to reach the
worlds millions in Christian and in
pagan lands.
4" reformation" he says, 6 is called for in
the home as well as in the foreign mission work
OF the Church, and some sweeping changes such
as Hugh Price Hughes deems needful for London.
may be as necessary in the northern part of the
kingdom as they certainly are in the south.
What says this vigorous young representative
OF Wesleyanism, that most conservative of Eng
lish systems p
" The neglected parts of London can never be
evangelised upon what are called The old lines ,
The old lines have emptied Spitalfelds, ST.
GEORGES, the Seamen's Chapel, and other
splendid centres of Christian work The old
lines, the old pews, the old pewrents, the old
quarterly collections, the old times, and, if
necessary, the old trustees the old officials, and
the old congregation must retire from the scene
to some congenial resting-place. The time has
come when the salvation of 10000 immortal
souls can be no longer subordinated to the
Imaginary interests of a handful of excellent
Christians"
1 venture to think the time has come when,
for every well.equipped missionary who has
gone through the full college curriculum, tie
churches should send score of men who have
received an ordinary education and who have
taken degree in that first essential for all
foreign mission work-some well-ascertained
success In home mission work. There seems to
be not a few students at the universities at this
moment who would accept such service if offered
them, and whose literary curriculum added to
their zeal for soul.saving work, may well assure
the committees that they have fitness for some
OF the manifold forms of service which present
themselves to willing workers in heather lands
They may not be able to take part in the educa-
tional or in translation work but if they can
acquire new language, they can then surely
tell of the great salvation as well as a more
learned brother.
1t is noteworthy, and 1 lay much stress upon
the fact, that no mission committee has vet pro-
nounced it indispensable that a lady missionary
should pass through four years of literary, and
four more years OF theological curriculum, ere
she Is permitted to leave our shores to tell out
the Gospel in Indian zenanas or in Chinese
homes. May the ladies at home who manage
women's missionary associations for ever resist
any attempt to enforce very heightened course
OF preparation other than that of proved con-
secratlon to the work of Christ at home. But
what IS there in the constitution of heather men
which demands presentation of the offer of
salvation from none but theologically trained
missionaries; whilst heather women can COM
Prehend and receive the very same offer from a
lady who has received fairly liberal education {?
l thank God that this curious anomaly has a
very blessed side, promising great things for our
poor heather sisters And may here add that
the Church would show its wisdom in sending
forth two female missionaries for every male
missionary they accept: first, because of the long
neglect Of this side Of foreign mission work and
still more because in all lands Of heather and
other suPersttions the women hold the key Of
the position by their hold upon the rising gem
Grafton.
When one considers that all the issues Of all
the Bible societies in the world, in Bibles, Tesla.
ments, and portions do not exceed seven mil
lions annually, whilst the earth's poT ulation
receives yearly increase Of twelve millions, we
may perceive how in this department, too, the
attempt to meet the need falls short of the neces.
sity