New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-17
4 MISSIONARY BICENTENNI4L.
CELEBRATION OF AN IMPORTANT BRIT
ISL SOCIETY

To-day begins the celebration of the bicen-
tenniaI anniversary OF the grant by King VIII
lam III Of Great Britain and Ireland of a royal
charter 10 the Society for the Propagation Of
the Gospel in Foreign Parts, which. next 20 the
Propaganda Eide Of the Roman Catholic
Church, Is the most ancient powerful and ex-
tensive missionary organization OF the Christian
faith. The celebration is 20 extend throughout
the ensuing twelve months. The opening Of the
jubilee year to-day is TO be observed by special
services in London in St PauTs Cathedral and
Westminster Abbey. where the puIpits win be
occupied by the Archbishop Of Canterbury. who
is ex oficio the president OF the society. BY an
eminent colonial DreIate and by the American
Anglican Bishops Of Albany and Kentucky.
\ public meeting VIII be held the day after to-
morrow in Exeter Hail. in London. and the
Archbishop OF Canterbury viii be in the chair.
while Lord Salisbury VIII be one Of the principal
speakers.
A strong effort was made to secure the pres
ence Of the Prince or Wales or of some other
member of the royal family 10 preside over the
meeting at Exeter Hall as the Prince Consort
did on the occasion Of The last jubilee ceIebra-
ton, fifty years aso- But the reisnins house OF
Great Britain has since then become more alive
10 the 5elcocy OF It's position a dynasty
whose Mahometan and Hiudoo subjects out
number by hundreds of millions its Protestant
Heges the British Empire being the greatest
M0sIem Power in the world That is why
neither the Queen nor any OF her family VIII
take part in the celebration or the jubilee and
that is the reason why there has been a dis
continuance OF the so-caued Royal Letters
which, during period beginning in III and
continuing down 10 about quarter OF a cen
fury ago. were issued from time 20 time direct
ms IN the name OF the sovereign, that in every
parish contributions should be made toward the
work OF the Society for she Propagation OF the
Gospel in Foreign Parts These letters which
used 70 be read from the pulpit by the parish
rectors. have been stopped for the same cause
that prevents the royal family from taking any
public cognizance OF the celebration that begins
to-day
Lord Salisbury's attendance at the public
meeting the day after tomorrow is q quite dif-
ferent affair. For in the eyes Of the people OF
India he IS merely one OF The numerous Grand
Niziers who have succeeded one another in the
service OF Queen Victoria since her advent To
the throne That he should show prejudice
against their religion By speaking publicly in
support OF . society that has FOR its avowed
object the destruction Of their native creeds and
the substitution OF Christianity in thel place IS
a matter OF relative Indifference as long as the
haiser--Hind or Empress. and her family give
no countenance TO the move nenL
On the occasion Of the last jubilee OF the
society, half q century ago. the Prime Minister
OF the day, namely. Lord John Russell. likewise
attended. ana spoke in support OF the society so
that Lord Salisbury has q precedent But even
Lord John hesitated for q time before giving
his approval 10 the presence or the Prince Con-
sort at the public meeting of the society at
Exeter Hail. declaring that il was a most tick
hsh affair, opinion in which the Queen Joined
as shown in letter addressed 10 her by Lord
John Russell However. the Prince extricated
himself from his difficult task with no little tact
and skill, and during the course OF his address
drew attention 20 the fact that for the first
fifty years OF the existence OF this royal society
its chief attention was devoted TO the North
American Continent, where q young and vigor-
Gus society was rapidly growing into a people,