The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-11-18
WORK OF PRESBYTERIAN
MISSIONARIES IN MEXICO.
Doctor j. II. McNcilly Enlightens
Grand Avenue Congregation
on Good Accomplished.

! Al The Grand Avenue PRESBYTERIAN church
ne Reverend Doctor J. II M,cNeiliy 81
Nashville. Tenn. spoke 10 the congregation
on the work of the missionaries IN Mexico.
Doctor McNeilly il a member Of the South
ern Presbyterian or Foreign
Missions and was appointed by the General
| Assembly to represent that church in or
SanizinG an independent Mexican Preshy-
| terlau church.
HIS discourse Was q report OF the work
and prospects OF the synod OF Mexico.
which was inaug urated on July :, 1901.
Doctor McNeilly said in part: .
The Mexican Republic has a population of
about E.vJ.OcC. about 100000 OF pure Span
lsh blood: about 5pGptsiJ Of pure Aztec
blood ana the rest Of mixed Spanish and
Aztec race.
The Aztec has furnished some Of Mex
lCpS abieSt men. both statesmen and gem
ilSious periods in the history of the people
the Pagan. a bloody superstition. accom-
panied by a high grade Of civilization: the
fapaL. beginning IN 1871 A. D.. and lasting
over 800 years. The priesthood at first were
men of great zeal. Of heroic devotion 20
ihe cause Of religion ana true friends Of the
natives. But as the church became mn
mensely wealthy she became corrupt, and
the chief support Of Spanish tyranny. until
In 1851 the church and state were separated
and part OK her enormous wealth was
The Protestant period IS just
ing. IL is only about thirty years since the
Presbyterian churches, North and South be-
gan systematic work in the Republic.
The Protestant missionaries have much
10 contend with III reaching the people.
Tney and their converts were prosecuted by
mobs, Who were set on by the priests-and
that. In spite of the fact that the Govern
ment had made religion free and many OF
the ministers of the new synod bear on
their bCdies the marks Of their sufferinss.
The people Were deeply imbued with "A
superstiuouS reverence for the priesthood.
The social influence of the higher classes
Were ali against Professionalism. The Lavish
display of wealth and the gorgeous ritual
uf the Catholic Church impress the ignorant
masses. VINO are fond of show. and who 10
not appreciate the simple services of Pres
byterianLsm- But in spite of obstacles. tho
Protestant churches have made substantial
progress The Northern Presbyterian
Church had three presbyteries in Central
ard Southern Mexico, while the Southern
Presbyterians had a strong preshytery IN
Eastern and Northess stern Mexico. 1t was
felt by the missionaries that il was time TO
Join these presbyteries into a synod. which
should be enthusiastically independent Of The
cnurcheS in the United States. and which
should have charge of the interests Of Pres
nyteriauism in Mexico.
so the synod was organized by the cleo
ton OF = native minister. the Reverend
Arcade Morales OF the City of Mexico. a.
moderator. and the other officers partly
from the natives and partly from the mis-
siOndrieS.. The body IS composed of fort,-
six ministers, SeVentN-three churches. and
500 communicates. with a large number
Of preaching stations and Sunday schools,
besides. normal and day schools.
The men composing the synod are. most
Of them. tried men. who have stood the
test. But the influence of Professionalism
cannot be expressed in figures. Ii il grad
ually, but surely widening and deepening
in its influence IN many ways, and the out
look for the future is full Of hope.