THE largest Church organization in Atlanta, Ga., is the First Colored Baptist, with a membership of 1,450. Two of the white churches have 500 members each. Fifteen out of the forty churches are Baptist. The colored Baptists of Georgia have bought the land and are about to establish a college of a high grade in Atlanta.

THE growing affinity of the different denominations is a hopeful sign for the future. The Rev. Dr. Buddington, of Clinton Avenue Congregational Church, Brooklyn, went to Europe, to be absent four months, and his pulpit was supplied every Sabbath most acceptably by the President of a Methodist University, Dr. C. D. Foss. Dr. Cuyler, of the Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church, Brooklyn, visited California, and the Baptist, Dr. George F. Pentecost, supplied his pulpit Sabbath mornings. The Methodist Professor Butts, of Drew Seminary, also supplied Dr. Helmer's Congregational pulpit for several weeks during the latter's illness. And the beauty of these arrangements is that no one can tell by the preaching which is Methodist or Baptist, Congregational or Presbyterian.

It has been proposed to place three mural tablets in the chapel of Princeton Theological Seminary, in memory, respectively, of Rev. Dr. Miller, Rev. Dr. Alexander, and his sons James Waddel and Joseph Addison, and of Rev. Dr. Hodge. A circular has been addressed to the alumni of the Seminary, inviting subscriptions of one dollar

each.

THE Free and Open Church Association has recently held its twelfth annual meeting at Westminster, England, under the presidency of Earl Nelson. The meeting unanimously pledged itself to support the Association in its efforts to throw open churches freely to all classes, both for public worship and private prayers, and to promote the general adoption of the weekly offertory as the most scriptural and efficient means of providing for the expense of Divine worship.

REV. YOUNG I. ALLEN, LL.D., left for China on the 11th of August. Dr. Allen has distinguished himself in the knowledge of Chinese literature, and has been for some years in the service of the Chinese Government, translating works of history and philosophy. The Doctor sustains the same relation to the Government in Shanghai that Dr. Martin does in Peking. When he left these shores it was for a life service, and nothing short of the peremptory orders of the Georgia Conference would have brought him to his native country; and now, though but scarcely five months in the country, he hastens back again, there to live and to die. In addition to his work of translating, which now amounts to some fifty volumes, he preaches twice every Sabbath, and edits three periodicals, to which the Emperor and the officers of his Government subscribe. The Doctor's hope is-indeed he sees-that his labors are undermining the religious thought of the intelligent classes and bringing them to see the superiority of the idea of one God, of a spiritual religion, and in place of the supremacy of nature over man, man's supremacy over nature, and in place of the morality of that system taught by Confucius, that system taught by Christ. Like a man laying foundations for many generations, he prosecutes his work in the faith that the day approaches when Jesus Christ shall be acknowledged and worshiped as the universal Lord. In addition to the various labors occupying the Doctor's time, above 300 of the educated members and graduates of the highest institutions of the country have passed under his hands for educational purposes, and this at the instance of the Government, in order to facilitate their acquaintance with Western literature.

SOME eight-and-thirty years ago, a child was born near Denbigh, in Wales. His name was John Rowlands, and so poor were his parents, that at the age of three years he was placed in the poor-house, where he remained ten years and received a good education. When about fifteen he shipped as a cabin-boy on a vessel bound for New Orleans. Arriving in that city, he entered the service of a wealthy merchant, by whom he was soon adopted, and whose name he assumed. The merchant died without leaving a will, and the young man was left destitute. The civil war broke out, and he enlisted in the Confederate service. He was taken prisoner, and in time he entered the Federal service, serving as a petty officer on board a war-steamer. After the close of the war he entered upon journalism, and was not long in making his mark as a foreign correspondent of the New York Herald. Happening to be in Great Britain in 1866, he visited the Welsh poor-house where he had been educated, and gave a dinner to the children, to whom he made a speech, telling them that all the success which he had attained, or hoped to attain, was owing to the excellent training which he had received in that institution. years later he performed an exploit which made his name famous throughout the civilized world. Another four years passed, when he set out upon another and more perilous expedition, which it took three years to accomplish. Returning to England, he was greeted with almost unprecedented honor. The Royal Geographical Society

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accorded to him an ovation, and the Prince of Wales invited him to dinner. The American name of this once inmate of a Welsh poor-house is Henry M. Stanley.

THE 177th anniversary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts was held in London, June 27th-29th. Colonial and American bishops participated in the services. This Society had done much to plant the English Episcopate throughout the world. Its contemplated outlay for the coming year is $650,000.

Do not think that all the poor ministers are in America. The Bishop of Manchester says that some of the English clergy are so poor that they do not taste meat more than ing of their parishioners. once or twice a week, and are glad to get the cast-off cloth

MR. SPURGEON's London congregation proposed to celebrate the quarter-centennial of his pastorate by presenting him with a fund of $25,000, but, in accordance with the reverend gentleman's wish, the money will be used for Church purposes.

THE REV. Dr. Margalrouth, vicar of Little Linford, England, who is a Hebrew Christian, is advocating the establishment of a Government in the Holy Land similar to that of Syria, under the protection of the Powers, and the colonization of the country by Christian Israelites, whom he estimates to be no less than 200,000 in number.

LORD JAMES BUTLER has withdrawn from the Episcopal Church in Ireland, on the ground that the Revised Book of Common Prayer which is about to come into use in that Church is contrary to the principles of Protestantism. "For all that is true in the Church system," he says, “I have the same love that I ever had; but it is overlaid with corruptions which, to my judgment, are increasing day by day."

THE Episcopalians, from being the leading Christian denomination, have less than 14,000 communicants in the entire State of Virginia, while the Baptists have over 15,000 in the city of Richmond alone. One out of seven of the entire population is a communicant in some Baptist Church.

RELIGIOUS toleration has been helped by the late Berlin and Anglo-Turkish Treaties. The first article of the Treaty of Constantinople (signed June 4,) contains these words: "In return, his Imperial Majesty the Sultan promises to England to introduce necessary reforms-to be agreed upon later between the two Powers-into the government, and for the protection of the Christian and other subjects of the Porte in these territories; and, in order to enable England to make necessary provision for executing her engagement, his Imperial Majesty the Sultan further consents to assign the island of Cyprus to be occupied and administered by England." In the Treaty of Berlin, Article V. declares that "distinction of religious belief or confession shall not operate against any one as a reason of exclusion or incapacity in what concerns enjoyment of political rights, admission to public employment, functions, or honors, or the exercise of the different professions and industries. Liberty of profession of all creeds shall be assured to all the returned population of Bulgaria, as well as to strangers." The same provision is made in express terms for Eastern Roumelia, Montenegro, Servia and Roumania. Article 57 of this treaty recognizes the fact that the Sultan has promised to maintain religious liberty throughout his dominions, and is advisory only, but the advice is in the right direction. "In every part of the Empire," says this important article, "difference of religion should not be the motive of unfitness in anything relating to civil and political rights, admission to public offices, duties, and honors, and all the professions and industries. Every one should be admitted without distinction of religion to give evidence before the tribunals. The practice of all religions should be entirely free. No impediment should be offered to the hierarchical organizations of different communions, or to their spiritual chiefs."

THE "Spanish Christian Church" held its first Assembly in Madrid near the close of April last. This is the name taken by the Protestant congregations of the Spanish peninsula. The organization is Presbyterian; two Presbyteries, Madrid and Andalusia, are already formed. The ministers of this Church are nearly all natives of Spain. The next Assembly will meet in Madrid, May, 1880.

PERHAPS We shall hear less in the years to come of the glories of Mohammedan civilization than we have heard in the few years past. The theories of Mr. Buckle and Dr. Draper will have a faded look in the midst of the fading splendor of Islam. It is not long since Dr. Draper styled the rise of Islamism the "Southern Reformation," and claimed for it "the preservation of the truth of the one God, which Christendom had lost." The time for the glorification of this dead faith was unfortunately chosen. Laudations of a civilization which Europe would fain bury out of sight come with singular inappropriateness when the air is laden with the foul odors of dissolution, and especially when they are intended to disparage the Christian civilization which is conquering.

WHATEVER may have been the effect of the memorial of the Evangelical Alliance of the United States to the European Congress, pleading for the establishment of religious liberty in the countries represented by the Congress, it is

plain that the principle of freedom of belief and worship is gaining recognition in the high places of civil authority. The memorial was presented in person to Prince Bismarck by Dr. Joseph P. Thompson.

THE German Old Catholic Synod at Bonn has decided to abolish the compulsory celibacy of the clergy, by a vote of 75 to 22, notwithstanding the protest of the brethren of Holland.

AN unprecedented movement toward Christianity has taken place among the natives of India east of Tinnevelly. Sixteen thousand have given their names to the English Bishop Caldwell and have asked for instruction. The Bishop writes that "village after village is laying aside its heathenism and seeking admission into the fold of Christ." One reason assigned for this change of feeling is gratitude to the English for succor during the famine.

reference to a rumor that he has made his peace with Rome: "The reports in the paper sent to me are malicious lies, both as regards me and Professor Friedrich. It is now the fourteenth time that Ultramontane papers have announced my submission, and this will happen still oftener. I shall not dishonor my age with a lie before God and men-of this you may be sure."

DR. DÖLLINGER has written to one of his friends with

A PROSPEROUS work in behalf of the "Street Arabs" of Florence, Italy, carried on by Dr. Comandi, is now in the fourth year of its operation. Dr. Comandi's Protestant Industrial Home for Boys consists of extensive premises and workshops, and he has seventy lads under training. A preaching hall which will seat four hundred persons has been opened in connection with it, the cost of the building having been paid by an English physician living in Florence. The opening services were attended by the pastors of all the different branches of evangelical work in the city.

gelical Protestant Churches in France, which is manifested A PLEASANT Spirit of harmony prevails among the evanin the interest which the members of the several branches constantly take in all matters relating to the welfare of the

others.

The preaching of the opening sermon of the Wesleyan Conference at Nimes by the President, Pastor Hacut, Sen., was attended by the pastors of the Reformed and Free Churches of the city, one of whom pronounced the closing prayer, and warmly invoked the blessing of God on the Conference and on the Methodist Church.

SUNDAY is observed in the British and American departments of the Paris Exposition as at the former Exposition at Paris and Vienna. The machinery is stopped, the attendants with rare exceptions are dismissed, and the exhibits in many cases covered as they are at night. In the United States department this has been brought about by mutual agreement, to which all but a very few of our exhibitors have heartily consented. This testimony in favor of an institution which has done so much for England and America, following as it does our own example in closing on Sunday the Centennial Exhibition, is awakening increased attention to the question of Sunday observance on the Continent. The friends of the Lord's Day are endeavoring to make the most of this opportunity.

THE Nonconformist publishes some figures which show the remarkable growth of the Liberation Society. Its income has been steadily growing from its establishment in 1844 to the present time, when it amounts to over $80,000

a year.

Ar the Anniversary of the Free and Open Church Assoeiation, held in St. Paul's, London, July 15th, the preacher was Bishop Doane, of Albany. In the course of the sermon the Bishop declared that it was inconceivable that men should assign places in the house of God for money value to any human being, not only for use, but abuse; not only for accommodation, but exclusion. He condemned the pew-rent system, as also a method they had in America of building churches on the stockbroker's system, by which every contributor of five hundred dollars was assigned a

NINE Protestant denominations have now missions in Mexico. These employ 98 missionaries. There are 137 congregations, 12,000 members and adherents, and 45 Sunday and 36 days chools, with 1,137 scholars.

THE Canada Presbyterian Church reports the receipt of $45,067 the past year for home missions, and $51,857 expenditures. There are 120 missions, 355 preaching stations, 102 churches, and 4,700 communicants. Aid was also given to about 120 congregations.

FIFTY have joined the church at the Madura Mission during the last three months. In one village, forty have been converted in the last year, and, in a cluster of villages, 200. In one town the people have collected for a church building a large quantity of material from an old heathen temple, but cannot go on, as their rice crop is spoiled.

THE number of Protestant converts in Japan last year was 1,004. This year it is three times as great. great. Nearly 14,000 volumes of Japanese portions of the Scriptures have been given out during the past nine months. Recently a missionary was called to the bedside of a patient who died before anything could be known of his spiritual condition; but his family brought out the Bible, and inquired about it, saying the departed believed what it said, and advised them to find out more about that religion. Rev. J. D. Davis writes from Kioto: "There never was such a golden harvest going to waste as now among the women here."

BISHOP PEIRCE, of Georgia, gave a new force to Christian obligation when he asked: "Will the heathen be saved if we do not send to them the Gospel?" and replied, "Will we be saved if we do not send them the Gospel ?"

TEMPERANCE NOTES.

THE Examiner tells this story of that sturdy Baptist and noble Christian man, Ex-governor George N. Briggs, of Massachusetts: "For several years before his death he never wore a collar, appearing thus unadorned at his levees and on all public occasions, and he was often criticised for this eccentricity of dress. The explanation given is that he had a neighbor whom he liked exceedingly, and who was on the way to become a confirmed drunkard. With this man the Governor remonstrated warmly, until at last the listener answered: 'I will never drink again if you will never again wear a collar.' 'Agreed,' said the Governor. Each kept his word. The man was saved, and the Governor paid no manner of attention to the sometimes sharp criticisms upon his apparent carelessness in his dress."

THE Church of England Temperance Society is one of the most vigorous in England. Last year its income was about $43,000. At their May anniversary the Secretary said that they had in the Northern provinces 210 affiliated societies, and in the South 285, of which 53 had been affiliated during the year. Conferences and meetings had been held during the year throughout the whole of England. The pulpit, the platform and the press had been largely

saw.

AT the Church of England's Temperance Society meeting, May 8th, in Exeter Hall, London, Rev. Canon Wilberforce said: "Let me tell you the reason why I became a bigot, a Quixotic, an enthusiast. Simply because I have seen in my own experience misery, sorrow, crime, desolation, cruelty and tyranny such as I believe scarcely any other nation at the present moment, certainly in Christendom, can show as arising from intoxicating drinks. Wife torture! I hope I am patriotic, but I do not believe that any wives are tortured like the wives of Englishmen are tortured this moment by drink. Ah! my lord, I have many a time had my heart melted in me with sorrow. I could tell you here anecdote after anecdote where I have seen poor, brave, long-suffering, steadfast women ground down to the simple earth by this drink on the part of their husbands. It has been my lot to put under the ground in her last home one of the bravest, noblest wives and mothers that I ever Last Summer she came to me at an open-air temperance meeting in my grounds, and she laid her poor, worn hand upon my arm and said, 'Sir, for God's sake try and turn my husband's heart'; and we did try all we knew, but he had allowed the devil to get the upper hand of him. His will was abnegated. He had ceased to pray, and so he went from bad to worse; and one day he came home and set the seal on years of cruelty and brutality—he raised his foot and kicked his poor wife savagely, and in a few hours she passed away from earth to where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest.' And, my lord, as we laid her in the grave and by her side the waxen form of her prematurely born infant, we said, 'There lies one more victim of England's curse; there lies one more victim of England's miserable inoperative legislation. There lies one more victim of the apathy, and the sleepiness, and the carelessness of England's Churches,' and I, for one, and I know others did so too, there and then renewed our vow before Almighty God that as long as He gives us tongues to speak we will never cease to do so in this battle against intemperance."

WE spend in this country $700,000,000 for intoxicating drinks every year. All the Boards of Missions spend for the salvation of the world something under $6,000,000There is the solemn secret. More than ten dollars given to life! Yet this is a Christian country. We boast our civilisend men to hell, for every one to send them the Gospel of zation, our culture, our institutions; we think we are doing very well, and deserve the admiration of the world; yet our bureaus of statistics disclose awful facts to our disgrace. We have no excuse for these things. They are wrong. The Gospel can remedy them if we will do our duty. A day is Give us as much money for Missions as is used in the cancoming when God will arise, and terribly shake the earth. the reign of evil for ever. cerous traffic of liquor, and we will solve the problem of

It is well-known that merchants are rated in certain

books for the use of traders, according to capital, business ability, promptness, and the like; and one who searches the books may find even still more about them. A number of years ago a firm of four men in Boston were rated as A 1, rich, prosperous, young, prompt. One of them had a curiosity to see how they were rated, and found all those points on the book, and was satisfied; but at the end it was written, "But they all drink." He thought it a good joke at the time; but to-day two are dead, another a drunkard, the fourth poor and living in part on charity. They would far better have "dared to be a Daniel."