The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1886-06-09
THE MISSION FIELD

throws away in a year would keep dozen
Chinese families; and what a Chinese family
throws away in the same time would not feed a
mouse
Perhaps the most direct result of
the century's Foreign Missions is seen in the
great increase of converts and native workers.
AT the rate of increase in 1SS4-viz one-ffth-
there should be in this year more than three
millions of native" Reformed Christians, led by
two thousand five hundred ordained ministers
of their own speech.
Twenty years ago the reading
OF the Bible and all religious teaching were for
bldden In the public schools of Holland. Now
there is scarcely a town Of any Importance
which has not its Free Popular Bible school
and in many places the public schools are al.
most deserted. The maintenance of these Bible
schools costs the Christian public some e4OO,-
900.
-Ihe French government has notified
the Vatican that it will be impossible for France
to approve the appointment of a Papal Nuncio
at Pekln for the reason that the establishment
OF such an office there will prejudice the present
position occupied by France of being the sole
and exclusive protector of Catho ic missions in
emma This notification, however, has not
closed the controversy, as the Vatican and the
french government continue their negotiations
respecting the matter.
The conversion to Christianity of
Fashatullah, remarkable man of wide learn
ing and rare linguist, who has been professor
Tor twenty years at the Davul- Islam at Mecca
is reported by an English Church missionary
While at Mecca he accidentally came upon
chapter OF volume which treated of The Bible:
and on taking the book to the head of the in
stltutlon, that he might refute its arguments.
that person snatched the book from him, and
manifested great wrath at finding that such a
volume was In the place. Fashat subsequently,
left Tor India, leaving his post at Mecca that he
might inquire into the truth of Christianity. He
fell IN with Rev. Mr.. cambridge at Karacbi
ana has now for some months been engaged
heart and soul in studying the Scriptures. His
grasp OF the truth has astonished his instructors,
VINO have great hope concerning the man and
his future services as preacher OF Christ.
The special need of Missions are
Better knowledge and more of it. the wider dif.
fusion OF missionary intelligence-the introduc.
no9 INTO every pulpit of missionary discourses,
and into every family of missionary books and
papers.
a better system Of giving. No better plau has
yet been devlsed-It is not likely that any ever
whl oe-than that suggested IN and sanctioned
py the scripture, of weekly offerings for the
Lords serv ce. 1t has been found remarkably
e1hclent IN the experience of one of the Oldest
ana most successful of our American Missionary
boards. Next to this in value are monthly or
quarterly collections. No plan is successful
that does not at least ann to reach every mem
Der ana secure something like continuous flow
of gifts.
Increased prayer-in public and social gath
erlngs' at the family altar and in the closet.
Tod mas done wonders In advancing His own
work In answer to the prayers of His people.
lie has greater wonders still to do, but for these
ne ne Will be inquired Of by His churches
Money Is needful, but not so needful as PRAYER.
Men are needed, godly men and women. But
earnest believing prayer will 90 before them.
gird them with power, and follow them with
6lesslngs-or rather, the Holy Spirit will do all
these and more, In answer to such PRAYER Only
In answer to such prayer will His kingdom
come for whose return we wait
Prayer shall be made for Him continually,
ana daily shall lie be praised. From Board
Of Missions Reformed Church.
This is from an aged missionary in
India. We should be glad to be able to believe
that matters are not so dark as he paints them:
Comparatively few Europeans now make anv
profession OF goodness. But knowledge is in
creaslng, and Christianity is more and more
regarded as one sect among many or, rather, a
multitude OF sects, each with Its peculiar caste
customs The form that education is now TAX
ing, under the auspices of our Universities
at home. 1t is absurd mischievous and now.
to large extent, antagonistic to the Gospel
What we want ls the simple Gospel preached
and exemphhed by earnest minded men not
even the science Of the Gospel but the Gospel
iselt-the good news Of Gods love and right.
eousnesss, revealed IN Christ Jesus preached.
proclaimed, not scientifically, exp9unded in op-
position TO Hinduism ont lovingly offered to
ali, as the message Of Him who loved us and
gave Himself for us
English Presbyterian Missions
The Messenger for May records progress. An
instance IS gwen Of wonderful blessing resultlng
from the circulation of Christian literature In
1881 three churches were founded on the East
Coast OF formOsa which, owing to the excite
ment incident upon The hostile attitude of France.
no missionary was able to visit for four years
During this time only native preachers occa-
slonsly inspected the newly ORGANISED com
muult5s. Last November Rev. W Thow paid
them pastoral visit, and was sheered to find
two OF the churches prosTerng whilst n tho
third many were earn estly praying for revival
AT Chioh-pai the people had held well together
and built FOR themselves place of worship: i'm
Iak-kaIJ aIJwhere Mr.. Thow was most ioyfulv re-
ceived, be says On Lords day. December G.
had The privilege of baphziug, in the name
Christ, - persous-viz., twelve men and ten
women
The glad tidings Of salvation have now reached
The kingdom Of Corea, whose close proximity to
and alliance with the Chinese Empire. q the
'ingularly attractive character of its people. and
It's long seClusion from all intercourse with the
outer world, have drawn many eyes to it, and
engaged many hearts in longing for its welfare"
Missionaries are now at work in Corea