The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1889-02-27
FOREIGN CHURCH NEWS.

The proposal to reopen negotiations
for union between the Free Church and the
United Presbyterian Church has been defeated
in the Dundee Presbytery on the ground that
1t would divide the Free Church.
The first Swede ordained to the
Catholic priesthood since Sweden went over to-
Lutheranism three centuries ago, is Rev. An.
thony Swensson, now Rector of st. Elizabeths, q,
Detroit, Mich. He is a native of Stockholm
and his father was convert to the faith. Out
of a population of 60000 900 Sweden hes but.
1000 Catholics.
The annual report of the Represen.
tative Church Council, giving the statistics of
the Scottish Episcopal Church. states that the
membership OF the Church for the year 1887-SS'
amounted to 80 932, as against "a 1872 for 1885
81 showing decrease of $50.
An oak pulpit of handsome design
has been placed in the Moray Aisle of st. Giles
Cathedral, Edinburgh. The pulpit is the gift Of
Mr.. John Ritchie Findlay, and commentaries
the resumption OF daily service in st. GILES after
an interval of two hundred years.
The publication of the results of the
recent annual collection in Dublin places of
worship for the Hospital Sunday Fund" again
brings to light the unpleasant fact that the
Roman Catholic Chapels did not contribute in
any way to the sum of 4,096 collected, al
though the vast majority of those who benefit
from the fund are Romanists. This says little
Tor the Roman Catholic population of the Irish
metropolis, but it says less for those who guide
the hocks London Christian
EGATIoNALIsM.-The British
Weekly says: DIR. Chapman of Plymouth, one.
OF the ablest men in Congregationalism, has
published thoughtful address on Influences
that affect the condition of our Church life."
We have been especially impressed by his treat.
ment OF the quickened vivacity of the popular
mind and the increased prevalence of the critical
spirit. DIR. Chapman is afraid of the introduc--
tion of a two-fold ministry for those who shun
or foreclose all critical questions and dislike the
critical temper whatever its degree and scope
and ministry for those, who while holding the
essential faith of the other, seek presentation
Of truth In terms adapted exclusively to the
critical spirit and the philosophical aspects of
truth. We agree with DR.. Chapman that the
only way to avoid this ls to raise up a ministry,
that while taking an intelligent stand ON the
one broad and deep foundation of the Divine
Christ and presenting its implied cardinal truths
IN terms suited to the wise and the unwise will
awaken common intense religious life that
shall swamp all minor differences. He thinks
that in Congregahonalism there is generally an
absence of high denominational sentiment which
s so powerful among Methodists and Presbvte-
rians and is of the opinion that individuaiism
among the Congregational Churches is more and
more increasing.
Mr. M NELL FUTURE WORK 1t
being now apparent that Mr. Spurgeon cannot
be In his pulpit on the 18th inst bis descons are.
pressing Mr.. M'Neill to take his place If he
consents-and it is probable he WILT will be
his third Sunday in the Metropolital Tabernacle
within little over two months. Are the good
people of Newington Butts anting colleague
and successor The idea that he would land there
has presented itself to our mind before to day;
but 1t has always been displaced by another
that he will sooner or later become a travelling
Apollos There is popolar prejudice that an
evangelist is inferior to placed man" If.
however, Mr.. M'Neil took up the role, and ap.
piled his great powers not merely to the
awakening of the unconverted; but to the stir
ring up OF sleepy Christians-a theme he often
dwells on-the Office of evangelist would rank
second to none in the Church Evangelis weak
en- their position by contenting themselves with
a batch Of addresses and letting their minds be-
come narrowed and dwarfed through the lack
of study The crowds that have lately Aocked
to hear Mr.. M'Neill in London indicate that the
Regent Square people are going to be faced with
a difficulty on the very first day of his entering
their church. He will hardly be happv in
preaching to l 200 people when thousands are
outside the doors wanting in. Resort will have
to be made for the evening service to Fxeter
Hall or some other large building. No doubt
however all this was considered when he was
torn away from Scotland By the by, we
noticed statement lately in leading Scotch
daily that Mrs. M'Nell had influenced her hus.
band to 90 to London Such is not the fact.
her only desire was to fall in with the view her
husband took And seeing hat we are dealing
with newspaper rstories we may mention thatthe
one about his wondering how the little devil"
Laccheus got up the tree must be classed among
those myths that cluster round the heads of pop
ular preachers Christian Leader, (London)