MADAGASCAR. OUR French Protestant brethren have taken prompt and vigorous hold of the duty imposed upon them by the French occupation of Madagascar. The martyrdom of the two beloved missionaries, Escande and Minault, has only served to thrill the heart of Protestant France and to awake the slumbering fires of her zeal and devotion. Offers of service for Madagascar have abounded, and the farewell gatherings held in various localities before the departure of the new recruits have been crowded and have been characterized by intense emotion. The first messengers went out on the tenth of January, 1896, and when the party which was to embark at Marseilles on the tenth of November, 1897, shall have reached its destination, the Société des Missions Evangeliques de Paris will have twenty-six missionaries in Madagascar, thirteen men and thirteen women. With this great expansion of its work has come a corresponding increase of its resources, so that the last financial year closed without deficit. There is a project under consideration for bringing about the training in France of a number of Malagasy pastors and teachers. It is a part of the French policy to require that the teaching in the native schools shall be in the French language. This and other things tend to the withdrawal of the London Missionary Society from the ground it has so long, so nobly, and so successfully cultivated. The French missionaries went out with the thought of coöperating with the English, and facilitating by their presence the work already existing. But although the right of the English to pursue their work in peace seemed at first to be recognized by the government, they have been gradually deprived of their school and hospital buildings and of many churches. Still they could render great services to the natives, and through them to the French colony, if the local authorities had not seemed more and more resolved to hasten, by every means, their departure. In spite of the formal and reiterated orders of the Resident General, their churches which were confiscated have not been restored. The Jesuits have continued to harass the Malagasy Christians in every possible way; closing or claiming for their own worship the churches, and terrorizing the inhabitants into accepting the Roman Catholic tenets. The Journal des Missions says: “Nothing is more difficult than to arrive at the truth as regards religious liberty in Madagascar. The state of mind of the natives renders testimony by witnesses almost impossible. A thing seen by dozens will be denied if the true recital of the facts is supposed to be displeasing to those in power. For instance, a French colonist, who had beaten many native teachers, severely beat a Protestant teacher with a club, closed the doors of his school and forbade the children to go to any school but the one he had set up in the Protestant church building; adding insults to these injuries. Two missionaries, armed with proofs, laid this outrage before the General commanding. The result was that the colonist was fined $20 and allowed to go free. He retired in triumph, threatening further injuries. On the other hand, there are real encouragements. In various matters, civil and military, the government has given praiseworthy proofs of good will and impartiality. The presence of the French Protestant missionaries has a reassuring effect upon the Protestant natives, so sorely shaken by the assaults upon their constancy. BIBLIOGRAPHICAL. Miscellany. In December, 1896, Rev. John Henry Barrows, D.D., of Chicago, landed in India, whither he had gone to deliver the first course in a newly established lectureship. Because of the well-known reputation of the lecturer as the president of the Parliament of Religions, and now as representative of the University of Chicago, under whose supervision these lectures were to be delivered, he was accorded a welcome and hearing in India granted to but a few if any who have preceded him for any purpose whatever. The book before us, "Christianity the World-Religion," comprises the six lectures delivered, first in Calcutta, upon the Haskell Foundation, and afterward repeated in various parts of Japan and India, and a seventh lecture, on the World's Parliament of Religions. The liberal appendix contains a striking account by the Rev. Robert A. Hume, D.D., missionary of the American Board in India, of Dr. Barrows' triumphal tours across that country, copiously quoting from the Indian press various appreciative comments made upon the lectures themselves. The six lectures make up one of the most eloquent and complete arguments for the universality of the Christian religion that has been given to the world. The author has succeeded marvelously in putting himself in the place of the Hindu, the Mohammedan, the Buddhist, and the Confucianist, and from their position has surveyed Christianity in its world-wide aspects, its effects upon the individual and the race, its Theism, its Book, and its universal man and Saviour, gently but firmly carrying his hearers with him to the inevitable conclusion that Christianity is the only religion upon which God has set a supernatural, authoritative seal. The chapter on the Universal Book is perhaps the strongest, unless it be compelled to share this distinction with the one on The Universal Man and Saviour," both of which are remarkable for their beauty and power. To bring before non-Christians of India the contents of these two lectures, emphasized and reinforced by the kindly, loving spirit of the lecturer, was a service worth all the sacrifice made for the entire course. The eminent ability and wide experience of the author, taken together with his long and careful preparation in this country, in the universities of Europe, and in close contact with most of the other religious beliefs with which Christianity is to-day in conflict, has enabled him to produce an apologetic for Christianity which is wonderfully adapted to command the attention of the non-Christian world. Το those who are inclined to think that all religions are good, and perhaps some are better adapted to the needs of those who profess them than is Christianity, we heartily recommend this book. Those who sometimes fear for the success of missions we urge to follow this course of lectures to the conclusion to which they come: The Church of God, built on the Incarnation and Resurrection, and holding from her temples' topmost spires the Cross, has seen imperial domains and hoary superstitions and theologies of error and ten thousand airy speculations disappear, while she steadily expands her sheltering walls and opens her shining gates to encompass all nations." A Short History of Christian Missions. By George Smith, LL.D., F.R.G.S. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 38 George Street. A Survey of Foreign Missions. By the Rev. P. Barclay, M.A. With maps. Edinburgh and London: William Blackwood & Sons. 1897. We notice these two volumes together, since they are in the same general line. This is the fifth and revised edition of Dr. Smith's "Short History," which we noticed some years since. We regarded it then as a most valuable epitome of missionary history, and the new edition not only brings the statements down to date, but presents the great story in a more complete, though still very condensed form. After four chapters on the Judaic preparation, there follow nine chapters upon the period from apostolic times till the era of modern missions, including the missions of the early Church to Great Britain and the northern nations. Part III treats of modern missions from Carey's time till the present, with a brief sketch of missionary societies in Europe and America and an outline of the work in each of the mission fields of the world. Mr. Barclay's book does not go so far back, but treats of the missions in different lands without special reference to the societies which have prosecuted them. We have thus in his volume a succinct statement of what has been done in Armenia, Arabia, Persia, India, China, Japan, and in different sections of Africa, North and South America, and in the islands of Oceanica. The volume is aided by missionary maps of the different continents. We heartily commend both these volumes to the great company of readers who desire a compendious statement of missionary work in the world. They are somewhat fuller than the admirable volume of Dr. E. M. Bliss which we noticed last month, but they do not treat as Dr. Bliss does of the special methods and organization of missions; but with these three volumes to choose from, no one need be ignorant of the great missionary movements which have marked the history of the Christian Church. The Holy Land in Geography and in History. By Townsend MacCoun, A.M. New York, 1897. Two volumes, price $2.00. We have been greatly interested and pleased with these two volumes. The first volume is devoted to the geography of Palestine and has no less than fiftythree maps, many of them relief maps, showing the various sections of the country and its physical formation. The second volume, which is historical, has a still larger number of maps and charts illustrating the changes that transpired in the region from the earliest periods down to apostolic times. This wealth of maps is something remarkable. For instance, there are eight of these maps which illustrate the scripture story of Palestine during the time of Moses, from the life of Israel in Egypt till the conquest of Canaan. There are five maps which show the wars of Joshua and the progress of the Israelites till the conquest of Canaan. The text which accompanies these maps, tracing the history of the chosen people down to apostolic times, is clear and scholarly. It is surprising how much information for Bible students can be found in these two small volumes. Our Troubles in Asia. By Rev. Sarkis H. Devirian. Published by the Author at Binghamton, N. Y. Price, $1.00. This is a book of unusual interest. The author was educated in the mission schools at Marash and at Oberlin College, and for many years was pastor of the evangelical church at Hadjin, Cilicia. He was forced to flee the country at the time of the disturbances two years ago. The book is primarily the life of Mr. Devirian, but incidentally draws a most vivid picture of the home life of the people of Cilicia, of the methods and progress of the mission work, and of the conditions and customs which prevail in that country. The book is illustrated with more than forty cuts bearing directly upon the text. Few books prepared by Armenians approach this in intrinsic worth and in the interest which it so admirably sustains to the end. We most heartily recommend it. Fridtjof Nansen: His Life and Explorations. By Arthur Bain. New York: Fleming H. Revell Co. Price, 75c. Nansen is the hero of the hour with a great number of people, and this small volume tells pleasantly the story of his life and achievements. He is a hero, no doubt, brave, determined, sincere, ready to endure any amount of hardship in the carrying out of his purpose. To our thinking the purpose to win the world to Christ is higher than that of discovering the North Pole, and there can be and is to-day quite as much heroism in those who for long years endure sharp trial and separation from friends on mission fields as there was shown on The Fram. BOOKS RECEIVED. Walled In. A true story of Randall's Island. By Let us Follow Him. By Henry Sienkiewicz, author Children of God and Union with Christ. Part I. SPECIAL TOPIC FOR PRAYER. Notes for the Month. (As set forth in the original suggestion for the Week of Prayer.) That God would now pour out his Spirit upon all flesh, so that all the ends of the earth might see his salvation. ARRIVALS AT STATIONS. September 4. At Osaka, Japan, Miss Abbie M. Colby. September 20. At Kōbe, Japan, Miss M. E. Wainwright. October 20. At Foochow, China, Dr. H. N. Kinnear and wife. October 21. At Yokohama, Japan, Rev. A. W. Stanford and wife. October 23. At Cesarea, Turkey, Rev. W. S. Dodd and wife. October 28. At Madura, India, Rev. F. E. Jeffery and wife. October 30. At Bombay, India, Rev. L. S. Gates and wife, and Miss Mary B. Harding. November 8. At Yokohama, Japan, Rev. George E. Albrecht and wife and Miss Mary B. November 15. At Philippopolis, Bulgaria, Rev. George D. Marsh and wife. ARRIVAL IN THE UNITED STATES. December 3. At Boston, Rev. George P. Knapp, of the Eastern Turkey Mission. DEPARTURES. November 18. From San Francisco, Miss Hannah C. Woodhull and Kate C. Woodhull, M.D., returning to the North China Mission. DEATH. October 24. At Denmark, Iowa, Mrs. Mary L. Day, widow of Mr. Kellogg Day, who from 1841 to 1851 was connected with the Mission of the American Board among the Cherokee Indians. Berlin, Cong. ch. 25 50 East Haddam, 1st Cong. ch. 10 00 East Hartford, 1st Cong. ch. Bernardston, Cong. ch. Boston, Cong. ch. (Brighton), 178.78; Y. P. S. Č. E. of Union ch., for native helper in China, 50, and in Japan, 50; Phillips ch. (So. Boston), 80.38; Boylston ch. (Jamaica Plain), 68.45 2d ch. (Dorchester), 50; Ist Parish ch. (Charlestown), 16.64; South Evan. ch. (West Roxbury), 6.45, Brookline, Bethany Y. P. S. C. E., for native preacher, Madura, 10; Leyden Cong. ch., add'l, 2, Buckland, Cong, ch. Chelsea, Central Cong. ch. Chicopee, 1st Cong. ch. Chicopee Falls, ad Cong. ch. Cummington, Cong. ch. Dalton, 1st Cong. ch., to const. J. W. FULLER, Mrs. FRED L. WARREN, and Rev. GEO. STERLING, H. M. Dudley, 1st Cong. ch. Northbridge, Rockdale Cong. ch. Goshen, F. M. Wadhams, 20 00 13 15 3.629 54 50 21 25 00 -95 21 3,724 75 50 00 78 03 15 00 6 23 47 00 70 80 529 43 10,00 Green's Farms, Cong. ch. Greenwich, ad Cong. ch., 489.43: Y. P. S. C. E., "Forward movement," support Rev. R. A. Hume, 40, Hartford, Glenwood Cong. ch. Lakeville, Geo. B. Burrall, to const. Mrs. MARY R. BURRALL, H. M. 4 30 100 00 49 IO Meriden, South Cong. ch. Middletown, 1st Cong. ch. 22 40 Mt. Carmel, Cong. ch. 11 59 New Haven, Church of the Redeemer, 444.96; Entertainment Committee, 140.25, sup New London, Second Cong. ch. Ridgebury, Cong, ch. Riverton, Cong. ch. Rockville, Union Cong. ch. Thomaston, 1st Cong. ch. Waterbury, 1st Cong. ch., 141.86; W. Stony Creek, Cong. ch. Hyde Park, 1st Cong. ch. 77 48 Lexington, "C. H.' 20 00 Vernon Centre, Cong. ch. Lowell, Pawtucket Cong. ch. 17 40 Marlboro, Union Cong, ch. 200 00 A. Hyde, 5, Watertown, Cong. ch. Westford, Cong, ch. Monson, Cong. ch., 20; E. F. Morris, Albany, A. N. Husted, Auburn, Rev. S. Manning, Binghamton, Cong, ch. Bristol Centre, Cong. ch. Brooklyn, Tompkins-ave Cong. ch., 1,000; Y. P. S. C. E. of do., toward support Rev. H. M. Allen, 50; Plymouth Cong. ch., 280.97; Bethesda Cong. ch., toward support, Rev. W. W. Wallace, 125: South Cong. Sab. sch., for catechist, Madura, 50; Park Cong. ch., 20.25, 1,526 22 Sunderland, Cong. Sab. sch. 71 65 15.00 2 00 451 00 50 00 |