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Monthly Religious Record.

VHILE the priesthood and the people in France are contending so earnestly as to who shall possess the control of national education, the matter has been decided in the adjoining little state of Belgium to the great dissatisfaction of the Romish clergy. Hence the Belgian bishops have, at a conference held at Mechlin, resolved with regard to the new educational law that absolution is to be refused to all teachers and pupils of the public normal schools; that teaching in all public schools being schismatical, all teachers employed in them are excommunicated; that absolution is to be refused to the teachers of all public schools, without any exception; and that the children attending the public schools, being considered as acting without discernment, may be admitted provisionally to first communion. We are glad to know that, notwithstanding the arrogant and audacious bearing of the priests, the promoters of evangelical movements find means of getting possession of parcels of ground in some of the rural districts of Belgium, and of erecting small chapels upon them; and that the local magistrates, not being under the sacerdotal yoke, respond with impartiality to appeals against injury and oppression, while the farmers and their men evince a disposition both to support and to attend the meetings for worship and instruction. Efforts are being made to extend these operations to Flanders; but it is a somewhat curious fact that, while Belgian agency (which, in point of language, is French) becomes inapplicable, and no other seems at present available but that which is Dutch, this also is rendered inapplicable; for, though there is little more difference between Flemish and Dutch than between Scotch and English speech, yet there is no mau from whom a Fleming is less inclined to receive instruction than a Hollander. Means, hoever, have been found of preparing a building at Ostend, in which the gospel will be preached, and evangelical instruction will be provided through teachers against whom this foolish feud will not raise a prejudice.

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WE regret to hear of distress among the Protestants of the French Alps-among whom, it may be remembered, Felix Neff laboured with such self-sacrificing devotedness- that their cherished faith is seriously imperilled. A letter recently received contains the following statement: "We preserved and husbanded our hay as much as possible, but the long winter made it necessary to buy more, and when it was gone, to give the corn we had left; after which straw was our only resource, with old grass, which we went to seek in rocky passes, where it had passed the winter under the snow. We have all of us lost, on an average, at least the third-a more recent account says the half-of our cattle. Our barns and storehouses are exhausted; we take our sheep out, but the grass is not sufficient in quantity to strengthen them, and they have not vigour enough to return at night, and many, from weakness, fall down the precipices. The corn has been carried away by avalanches, er rotted by the snow; much of our available land has been ruined by the stones brought down by the avalanches. Wheat has failed for seven consecutive years, but this year is the most terrible. Each year families go down and live in villages entirely Roman Catholic, young people intermarry, and whole families are lost to the Protestant faith. If some means is not found for securing emigration on a satisfactory basis, it is more than probable that in the next generation Dormilleuse will be forsaken, and the Protestants dispersed in the midst of the Roman Catholic populations lower down. About fifteen families have resolved to emigrate to Algeria, if no other resource present itself. Two men are going thither with a pastor, to make inquiries on the subject." Who that remembers how much the late General Beckwith was able to effect by living and labouring among the Vaudois of Piedmont can help wishing that a similar benefactor might be raised up for the French Waldenses, as they have been sometimes called? Would that one or more affluent Christian men could be induced to take their case warmly to heart, and rescue them, by enabling them to preserve their life, faith, and testimony. It has been truly remarked that it would be worth a few years of one's life and much of one's fortune to snatch these descendants of the martyrs from extinction as a Protestant community. Every information might be obtained from M. de Casenove, 8, Rue Sala, Lyons.

THE Pope has issued a very long Encyclical for the regulation

of philosophical studies in schools. After quoting the Divine mandate, "Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations," he dwells on the vigilant labours of the bishops, the laws and decrees of the synods, and, above all, the daily solicitude of the popes, whose right and duty it is to instruct and confirm the brethren in the faith, and to regulate their scientific instruction, and chiefly their instruction in philosophy, the basis of all science. Too much, indeed, he says, must not be made of philosophy, but though reason may not usurp the place of authority, it is of value as confirming divinely-revealed truth; and the wise use made by the Fathers of the analogies between natural and revealed religion has been aptly compared by St. Augustine to the spoiling of the Egyptians. After a minute survey of the results of philosophic inquiry of the Fathers, from Justin Martyr, Irenæus, Origen, Tertullian, to Boethius and St. Thomas Aquinas, the Pope concludes by pointing out as the sole remedy for the evils of our age, the due religious instruction of the young, especially of such as feel a vocation for the Church, so that they may be able to confute error, giving a reason for the hope that is in them. He therefore exhorts all bishops and teachers, whilst prizing all truth by whomsoever taught, to seek to diffuse the golden teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas.

THE foundation-stone of the first Protestant church at Inn

spruck, in the Tyrol-hitherto the greatest stronghold of Romanism-has now been laid. Unfortunately, however, the Austrian Government again puts greater difficulties than ever in the way of evangelisation. The recognised Lutheran and Reformed pastors meet with no obstacles, but the agents of other Protestant denominations are much hindered in their work.

THE Committee for the erection of a votive church in Berlin as a thank-offering for the escape of the Emperor of Germany from assassination has issued a notice that it is about to build. At present there is in hand 6,850. only, with promises of special gifts of bells, windows, etc. It is stated that in order to make the church a fitting memorial, four times the amount will be required. It is to be erected in a needy part of Berlin.

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WHILE from a part of Spain we hear of persecution by the local authorities, elsewhere in that land evangelisation appears to be going on quietly and successfully. Among others who have been labouring there lately are Messrs. Previ and Lund. The latter writes from Figueras, describing a meeting held at Garriguella, at which Señor Previ was speaking when the Mayor entered with four gendarmes with their guns, and stopped the quiet meeting, taking Señor Previ prisoner. same fate was shared by one of Mr. Corfield's colporteurs, who was with us," writes Mr. Lund. "Me they did not take, being a foreigner. The prisoners were led by the gendarmes to Figueras to the Governor as criminals, where they were put into a horrible prison that same Sunday night. I followed all the way to the prison. I then left my friend, and went to preach here. The meeting finished, I went to the Governor's secretary (the Governor himself being away) to ask what could be done for the prisoners. He said he could do nothing but go to the prison and let them have a better room, etc. But imagine, when I went to the prison the next day, I found my brother Previ in a stinking cell, foul beyond description. About ten o'clock at night the gaoler took Señor Previ with him to the interior of the prison, when he had the opportunity to drop gospels, tracts, and books on the beds of prisoners, and also to give some to the guards, and even to the gaoler. In the morning o'clock in the morning, and many came to the window to ask some of the prisoners told him they had been reading till three for more tracts, and I spoke to them about Christ. Through the influence of some who attend our English class, the Mayor of this town came to the prison, and took us into a better room, where we remained till two o'clock the next day, when they let us go. The colporteur is also free, but they have commenced a trial against Señor Previ, asking 500 pesetas (201.) as personal assurance to be presented within eight days. This time will be over to-morrow, but as we have not the money, we suppose he will have to go to prison again."

FOR centuries, the Mosque of St. Sophia, at Constantinople, has been jealously guarded against the intrusion of unbelievers.

When Europeans began to be admitted at the close of the Crimean war, superstitious Moslems noted the fall of pieces of plaster concealing old Christian symbols in the dome. The latest intelligence from Constantinople will surprise even those who have watched the signs of a growing tolerance in that quarter. A new service is to be held in the mosque for the discussion of all the creeds, and men of every faith are invited to attend. A notice of this remarkable meeting has been issued, which reads as follows: "Notice is hereby given that in the Mosque of St. Sophia, every Friday and Tuesday, just after noon prayers, at 5 o'clock, Turkish, a lesson will be given from Iyhural' (a very useful book, newly composed, reconciling the differences of religion). Anyone, whatever may be his religion, may come to the mosque at the said hour, and hear the lesson, free of charge. (Signed) Ali, Teacher of Arabic and English.' A missionary who found this notice on his desk, says, very truly, “Surely the under-pinning of time-honoured bigotries is going fast."

"WE have much encouragement in our work," writes one of the American missionaries in Constantinople, "and we are all hopeful that this year will be a year of spiritual blessings such as we have not been permitted as yet to enjoy in Turkey." In another letter, also dated from Constantinople, we read: "I have just returned from the closing exercises of the sixteenth collegiate year of Robert College in this city. The Hon. Horace Maynard, United States Minister at the Porte, presided on the occasion. The audience was large, and represented at least half a dozen nationalities. Ten young men of the graduating class delivered orations in English, French, Turkish, Bulgarian, and Armenian, on such subjects as 'The Fall of the Roman Empire,' 'Grandeur et Décadence de la Grèce,' William of Orange,' The Civilising Influence of Commerce,' etc. Two Bulgarians showed what in these days is uppermost in their minds, by discoursing, one on National Unity,' and the other on 'The Aim of National Life.' As is usual at this college on these occasions, the delivery of diplomas to the young men just completing their studies was followed by a number of addresses. Dr. Washburn, President of the College, stated, that notwithstanding the disturbed condition of the country for the last two or three years, and the general depression of business, the College had kept steadily on its way, and had had even a larger number of students than in previous years."

WE are glad to learn that an experiment in the interests of religion and temperance, which has proved highly successful in this country, is in the way of having a fair trial accorded to it on the other side of the Atlantic. The Rev. Dr. T. L. Cuyler, writing in the "New York Independent," gives an account of the "Coffee Tavern" movement in this country, and then goes on to say: "Although the British people, with their superior systems of organization and their superior persistence, have got the start of us, yet this new movement is attaining some headway in America. Several temperance coffee-houses have already been established in our cities. In Albany a noble building has been opened for religious and reformatory purposes; and to it is attached a department similar to the British coffee-tavern."

AMERICAN papers report the very cordial greeting and welcome accorded to Mr. Sankey, in New York, on his return from this country. Mr. Moody came from Northfield to meet him, and on the day after his arrival (Sunday) the two evangelists conducted meetings, afternoon and evening, at the Cooper Institute. "At the afternoon service," says one account, "it was estimated that at least 5,000 people were turned from the doors. Mr. Sankey sat at a melodeon, upon which he accompanied himself in singing his hymns. His voice has lost none of its power or richness of tone, and his singing created an enthusiasm in the audience like that which was seen in the famous revival meetings in the Hippodrome. Mr. Moody sat near Mr. Sankey. He has been resting during the summer on his farm at Northfield, Massachusetts. His rest has done him good, and his sermons were characterised by the earnestness which made him famous in his great campaign. He has rather gained than lost in power of expression, and the effect of his words on his audiences was immediate and powerful. At the conclusion of the hymn, Come! Come!' sung by Mr. Sankey, Mr. Moody began his sermon, which was an impassioned appeal to the audience to enrol themselves in the army of Christ. He said: 'My text shall be just the one little word, "Come." You may forget all about my sermon, but my text is short enough to be remembered, and it is well worth remembering, for it is an invitation to you and to me coming from God Himself. My words are to every one of you personally, and not to your neighbours. The great trouble with our church-goers is that

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they listen for others, and don't apply sermons to themselves We are too generous with our sermons and their lessons instead of keeping them ourselves we give them away. We a God condescends to speak to you, as he does in this bles word, "Come," you can well afford to listen, and to listen e yourselves. Many men who go to church regularly never b a word of the sermons. They are attending to their out business, and planning operations for the coming week. If! it a very hard thing to get any real, earnest attention. I you all to attend to this invitation to-day. There is life enc in this one verse to save you, if you'll only hear it: "Verw I say unto you, he that heareth My word, and believeth ♫ Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life." The evening meeting was even more enthusiastic than that in the after

noon.

THE draft Bill for facilitating the revision of the rubrics, entitled, "The Regulation of Ceremonial Bill," which we referred to last month (p. 624), as having been adopted by the Convocation of the province of Canterbury, and which has been also approved by the York Convocation, has been laid before the Queen by the Home Secretary. The verdict of the leading journal on this measure is as follows: "We can only say, ones for all, of the whole scheme, that it will not do at all." It is antiquated in purpose, inept in conception, and would be mischievous in execution."

APPLICATIONS have been recently made to the Consistory Court of the Bishop of London, for power to remove superaltars" and crosses from the communion-tables at the churches of All Souls', Langham Place, and St. Mary-le-Strand. The vicar, with the consent of the churchwardens, was in each case the applicant. The applications were both granted.

WE deeply regret to record the decease of the Rev. Dr. Mullens, Foreign Secretary of the London Missionary Society. The directors of the society received the mournful intelligence by telegraph from Aden: "Dr. Mullens died near Mpwapwa, on the 10th of July. Peritonitis. Particulars mail." In com- municating this telegram, the Rev. R. Robinson says; "Thus, after being encouraged by some good tidings that came to us from Zanzibar, we are filled with grief as we learn that another noble and devoted man has sacrificed his life in attempting to reach and benefit the tribes of Central Africa. It was with great reluctance the directors of our society accepted the urgent and ¦ disinterested offer of my colleague, our Foreign Secretary, to go forth and aid in establishing the mission on Lake Tanganyika, and they are sure that their numerous friends throughout the country, and all who feel an interest in the Dark Continent,' will share the deep regret these mournful tidings have produced. The society has thus suffered an all but irreparable loss." The favourable intelligence to which Mr. Robinson refers as having been previously received, was coutained in a letter from the London Missionary Society's agents, brought by the last African mail, no letter being received by that mail from the missionaries. The agents expressed some surprise that they had no correspondence to send home. They informed the directors, however, that it was evident the young missionary, the Rev. Arthur Dodgshun, about whom there had been many fears, had arrived safely at Ujiji, as two of his bearers had brought an order from him to the society's agents for the payment of some arrears due to them, and that on the 28th of March last "they left the white men at the Lake Tanganyika, all in good health." Dr. Mullens was a Congregationalist; but his lamented death elicits the following remark from a Church of England journal: "The death of Dr. Mullens is a loss to the whole cause of missions and to our common Christianity. No one could be long in his company without feeling that he was a born leader of men."

It is also our painful duty to place on record the death, in the seventy-fifth year of his age, of Joseph Gurney, Esq., the treasurer of the Religious Tract Society, and for fifty years a member of its committee.

THE death has also occurred of the Rev. Peter Lorimer, D.D., Principal and Professor of Hebrew and Exegesis in the College of the Presbyterian Church of England. Dr. Lorimer was sixty-seven years of age. He was born in Edinburgh. He published several works, his principal literary effort being a "Memoir of John Knox," and, at the time of his death, he was engaged upon a "History of English Presbyterianism." In 1877, he was appointed Principal of the college which has received so large a share of his life's labour. Principal Lorimer was interred in the Grange Cemetery, Edinburgh, not far from the resting-place of Dr. Chalmers.

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