Billeder på siden
PDF
ePub

(a) H.M. Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; and (b) The Secretary of the Constantinople Branch.

In regard to the Antioch case, a letter was read from Constantinople stating that the appeal had not yet been heard.

MISSIONARIES IN CHINA.

Referring to the question of the protection of the missionaries and others in China, a communication was read from H.M. Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, stating that a copy of the communication sent from this Council has been forwarded to the British Ambassador at Pekin.

[blocks in formation]

We have received a letter from a trusted correspondent in Russia, and from which we make the following extracts, feeling assured that our readers will be interested, not only in the facts communicated, but in the opinions expressed by an eye-witness who has had exceptional facilities for observing the course of events :

"It seems that history makes rapid strides in our days. The death of the Tsar in the full vigour of life, has taken everyone by surprise, and the question is in everyone's mind, What next? Will the persecution of Stundists cease? Will the banished be set at liberty? In this vast empire events move very slowly, and the Church and State system has a strong hold on those who are in power under it. An order once given passes into the hands of numberless minor officials, who carry it out each according to his own light. The wife of one of the banished brethren was one night disturbed, a loud knock at her door demanding entrance for the police officer, who introduced himself and fourteen followers to search the house. They simply turned everything out-wardrobe, linen-cupboard, &c.-searching for papers which might incriminate the poor woman, the police officer all the time making many apologies, saying how sorry he was to have to do it. They searched for hours and then departed, having found nothing. The very same night similar searches were made in several other houses of those who were suspected of conveying money and correspondence to the banished brethren. Hitherto persecution has not been stayed."

This correspondent reports that in one prison a party of twenty-seven Stundists were found. These included seven men with wives and children on their way into exile. "A grandmother was amongst them, who had passed through eleven prisons. and who would yet have to go to the twelfth, Elisabethpol, before she would know the place of banishment assigned to her and to her family. They are sent to the Caucasus, near the Persian and Turkish frontier, where climate and conditions of life differ from that of their native homes in Russia. They have to begin life afresh, under the most adverse circumstances, and many fail to obtain a bare living. They sink, and no one cares if they do. Such is banishment for the Gospel's sake in Russia." The writer then pleads for the continued prayers of God's people, for these persecuted brethren and sisters in Russia.

We quote the following from The Christian :

"Since I last wrote from Bucharest, my way has been open to enter this vast empire once more. I visited Odessa, and thence crossed the Black Sea to Batoum, and spent some days at Tiflis, Elisabetpol, Baku. At Baku, an attack of Caucasian fever seized me, and caused me to return. The prisons in the Caucasus were open to me, and I found in them great opportunities for telling out the Gospel to them that are bound. Several families of Stundists on their way into exile were in the prison in Tiflis, twenty-seven souls, including women and children.

"On my return by the Black Sea, and passing Yalta, near Livadia, the serious illness of the Tsar caused great anxiety; the reports day by day grew worse and worse. On my return to Odessa, he was still lingering, but during my journey to Kiev he passed away, and the news of his death reached us at Kiev.

"We were enabled to visit the large prisons at Odessa, at Cherson, and also at Kiev, and everywhere we found a warm welcome, not only by the prisoners, but also by the officials, who in most cases are as much shut in them as the prisone's, and to

whom the Gospel is a strange sound. Without exception our way has been made plain, and the entrance of the Word has brought light and good cheer to many heavy-laden souls. From Kiev we journeyed direct to Moscow, and here we have had four days of prison work, and some 3,000 souls have been brought under the sound of the Gospel, and about 2,000 have received New Testaments.

"We hope to leave this evening for St. Petersburg. The funeral train is expected to arrive in Moscow on Saturday; the Imperial coffin will remain here a day, and then will be taken to St. Petersburg. The city is being dressed in black, and the funeral ceremonies are to be of a grand style. My route will probably be to Finland for the Baltic provinces, until the funeral celebrations in St. Petersburg will be past. I may probably spend a few weeks yet in Russia before I recross the frontier. To-day is the first cold day. I shall value greatly the prayers of the Lord's remembrancers. "F. W. BAEDEKER.'

[ocr errors]

SOUTH LONDON BRANCH.

Two very interesting and well-attended meetings of this Branch have been held recently. The first was on October 12, at the residence of D. Wellby, Esq., Streatham Common. Mr. Wellby presided, and, after the usual devotional services, expressed his pleasure at seeing so many friends present.

It com

Miss Green-Armytage gave a very interesting account of her work in connexion with the Sailors' Rest at Constantinople (on the Galata side). menced at Smyrna, and was originally carried on by her sister. It is a home for sailors, chiefly British, but not entirely. They have the Bible in eighteen languages, and other good books also. The Friends also visit the sailors on board the ships in the harbour, taking them Christian literature, which they are glad to receive. Much good is done in this way. There is also a work among the Natives with many instances of blessing.

Mr. Patrick, of the North Africa Mission referred to the value of the Week of Universal Prayer, which is regularly observed in that field. Last time they prayed specially for a Jewish missionary to the Jews of Morocco, and now one has been found and is going out to labour among his fellow-countrymen. Mr. Patrick's work is among the Spanish refugees. Many have been persecuted for attending the meetings and sending their children to the schools; but the attendance at the meetings had averaged 600 per week for four months, and sometimes they had 800. Mr. Patrick also gave a painfully interesting account of prison life in Morocco. The people are Mohammedans and in the densest darkness. There is some medical work carried on which has led to much spiritual blessing.

Mr. Gillespie spoke on the religious state of the Colony of Victoria (Australia), and specially referred to the working of State secular education. After a few remarks from Dr. MacEwan and Mr. Grautoff, Dr. MacEwan closed the meeting with prayer and the Benediction.

The last meeting was on Friday, November 9, at the residence of James Drake, Esq., Nightingale Lane, Clapham, who, in his own and Mrs. Drake's name, heartily welcomed the friends assembled. After singing a hymn, reading the Scripture, and prayer, a resolution was passed expressing deep regret that the Rev. P. Colborne had been obliged to give up the hon. secretaryship of the Branch, and thanking him heartily for his zealous and efficient service. Arrangements were made for the South London meetings in the Week of Prayer, and Mr. C. L. Hacking was received as a member of the Alliance.

Captain Poulden, R.N., then spoke upon the South American Missions. The Society was first established in 1844 as the Patagonian Mission, by Captain Allen Gardiner, R.N., who laid down his life in the cause. Its operations are carried on in Brazil, Chili, Argentina, and other parts of South America. They consist of missionary work among the heathen, ministerial work among the English and other Europeans, and evangelistic work among the Roman Catholic population and others, by special services, by Sunday-schools, and by the distribution of the Scriptures and other suitable literature in various languages. Much blessing has

attended all these branches of the work, and also the Mission to Seamen & Sailors' Home at Pernambuco.

Colonel Frobisher then gave some interesting particulars of the Waldensian Church and Missions. After several centuries of persecution, these Christians are now flourishing in the enjoyment of full religious liberty and all the rights of Italian citizenship. They are the largest Protestant body in Italy, and are essentially a missionary church. Their great aim is to preach the simple Gospel, and they form the best agency for this purpose. The Week of Universal Prayer is very widely observed and much valued among them.

Mr. Arnold reported as to the recent work of the Alliance, and spoke of the autumn Conference at Tunbridge Wells, which was well attended and very successful. He also referred to the jubilee of the Alliance in 1896, and which will (D.v.) be celebrated as the Tenth International Conference, and this time in London, where the Alliance was formed. The religious persecutions still going on in Russia, Persia, and Turkey, as well as the dangers to which missionaries are exposed in China, are constantly engaging the prayerful attention and earnest efforts of the Council and officers.

The Rev. Dr. MacEwan having spoken a few cordial words, closed the meeting with prayer and the Benediction.

CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED FROM OCT. 19 TO NOV. 17, 1894.

Mrs. O. Heywood

Rev. G. Hamilton
Rev. G. D. Hooper
Mrs. Handley
T. R. Tufnell, Esq.
Mrs. E. Collins

Rev. C. Marson

...

...

...

£ s. d.

[blocks in formation]
[merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]
[ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors]
[blocks in formation]

Ramsgate Subs., per
Miss Brook
Liverpool Subs., per

I 26

[ocr errors]

I I

[blocks in formation]

R. Haselwood, Esq...

I I

[merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors]

Sir Geo. Williams

G. Skey, Esq.

A. Stephen, Esq.

Mrs. Hasluck

S. Chambers (don.)...

Dr. Barnado

...

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]
[blocks in formation]
[ocr errors]

Miss Wilkins

[merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors]

...

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[merged small][merged small][ocr errors]

Donald Matheson, Esq.,

[blocks in formation]
[merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[merged small][merged small][ocr errors]

Dr. Cust Gwynne

[ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

I

[merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small]

I

[ocr errors]
[merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors]
[ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors]

S. Hawkes, Esq.... 5 11 6 o Sheffield Subs., per

Mrs. Wheatley

o Bedford Branch, per

Colonel Johnston

o Cambridge Branch,per

J. Spearing, Esq.... 6 。。 Richmond Branch, per

W. Garden, Esq...

E. Knight, Esq.

Southboro' Branch, per

H.Vere Pearson, Esq. 6 14 0

Coll. at Drawing-rm.

Mtng.,Jersey (Mdme.

Gruchy's, Nov.1892),

per Mr.C. Hammon

6 Sums under 10s.

SPECIAL FUND FOR PERSECUTED

CHRISTIANS.

Mrs. Warren

Mrs. J. Patterson

[ocr errors]

2

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

I ..

FOR THE ORDOU CHURCH.

"Two Friends," per

Rev. G. Blisset

...

[ocr errors]

500

[ocr errors]

2

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

Hon and Rev. E. V.

[merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors]

660

[ocr errors]
[blocks in formation]
[merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors]

*** Remittances may be made payable to the order of the secretary (Mr. A. J.

Arnoia), or to the Treasurer.

« ForrigeFortsæt »