MISSIONARY ITEMS. THE following items of missionary news, extracted from private letters, will, we are sure, be of interest to our readers : LATAKIYEH, October 1st, 1867. We have had only one rain (about the middle of September) since May. That lasted only two hours, and yet flooded me out of my room. I like rain out of doors once in awhile, but when it gets inside, one's face grows as long as the mourners at the funerals in this country. By the way, these make a most wonderful demonstration of feeling in trouble. They are more noisy than a camp-meeting. To hear them passing the house "sets one on edge." I don't believe I could stand it, to be with them long. They exert themselves to disfigure themselves as much as possible. Some neither comb their hair, nor wash their face or clothes for weeks after a death, that they may appear unto men to mourn. They screech and groan until they are in such a hysterical state that they can scarcely cease. For six months they have regular mourning days. Friends come to the house where the death occurred, and eat and drink, and cry and yell for hours together. * * * * * * * * * October 30th, 1867. One of the natives here is with us all quite a favorite. the babes to whom Jesus has revealed himself-keen in matters of religion, but in everything else a mere child. We all love him. He is the only one that comes into our house, and eats at our table. The very children love him. One of the young men of the town wrote on the door of the bookstore of which he had charge, "Poor Selim Souleh, and those who follow him, are on the road to hell." When he went to open the door he saw it. Taking pen and ink, he wrote from 2 Peter 2: 12, "These as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak of the things that they understand not, and shall utterly perish in their own corruption." Another was advocating the worship of the cross, because it was that on which Christ died. Him he asked, "If a man killed his father with a knife, would he worship the knife? Why not worship Judas Iscariot? He was the main instrument in surrendering Christ to death??? He seems always to have an answer ready, to be able to give to every man a reason of the hope that is in him, although in worldly matters he might be "cheated out of his eyes' without knowing it. He is not over twenty years of age. * February 20th, 1868. We have had an unusually severe winter for this climate. The rains have been almost constant since the beginning of December. There have been two snow showers, and ice has formed several times. A great amount of suffering has thus been caused among the poorwhich class comprises about two-thirds of the people. The only mode of warming here, is a "fire of coals," as spoken of in the gospel. This fire is simply a pan of charcoal set in the midst of the room. Even that the poor are not always able to obtain. Their clothing consists of a pair of calico or muslin drawers, with a sort of long shirt for men and boys, and dress for women. Frequently the shirt or dress is the only article of clothing, with wooden clogs for the feet, and often without that protection. Their scanty food, and low, damp, leaking houses, add little to their comfort. Their only refuge is the bed, and that is seldom more than a thick comfortable laid on the ground, with perhaps another to wrap themselves in. I suppose the half of Latakiyeh remain in bed the greater part of the time during the inclement season. I never understood the force of the command not to take the raiment of the poor to pledge, until I came here. If this is done, often the poor will be left without any article to sleep in, or to cover their nakedness with. NORTH-WESTERN MISSION. MR. EDITOR- Perhaps your readers would be pleased to know something regarding the Mission in Minnesota. It is due to those contributing to the support of mission work that they be informed of its success and prospects. There are here two stations, both of which, if properly cultivated, promise to become ere long flourishing congregations.. The first and largest of these is Lake Reno, Pope Co. There are here ten families, all of whom came from the Old Bethel congregation. There are just now several persons here looking at the country, with a view to settling; and others in correspondence with members of the society, who are expected to come out during the present summer. The people here are living, earnest, working Christian men and women, and are determined to have an organization so soon as the proper authorities can act in the matter. Forty acres of land have been secured for a parsonage, and steps have been taken during this summer with a view to the erection of a church building. The country is being settled with a very fine people, many of whom have been in connection with different branches of the Presbyterian Church. Preaching is well attended, and the attendance larger than can be accommodated in a private house. Our principles are well received, and it is confidently believed that quite a number will unite with us just so soon as we can afford them an opportunity. There is no church organization in this vicinity, and our people here are greatly encouraged with our prospects. They will perhaps make a call for a pastor next spring. The country is a very beautiful one, and farmers say a rich one. Our people are located around a beautiful lake, from which the society takes its name. The broad acres of golden grain which are to be seen all through the settlement, attest the richness of the soil, and promise an "abundance of good things." At Round Prairie, forty miles distant, there are five families of Covenanters, all of whom came from Lake Eliza, Indiana. These are also very anxious for the enjoyment of the ordinances. This place presents a very inviting field for missionary operations. Our principles are well received, and those persons accustomed to sneer at the "old Psalms," should hear these people sing those psalms before declaring them unpopular in the West. In both these places there is every encouragement for the Board of Missions to employ men. Lake Reno will soon be a self-sustaining congregation, and a live man, who wants hard work and plenty of it, among a people that will respond to his strongest and most radical utterances, will find a promising field at Round Prairie. Goverment land can be secured in the vicinity of Lake Reno yet, but it is being rapidly taken. Improved farms can be bought at very low prices, as compared with the East. Unimproved lands can be purchased at from $1.50 to $5.00 per acre. As a resort for invalids this State is unsurpassed by any country, as the thousands which annually seek its pure bracing air testify. Persons afflicted with pulmonary diseases very generally find relief. There are persons whom no one would take to be consumptives, who have had but one lung for over ten years. Many, however, come too late, or coming in time, continue the habits which first induced their disease. A permanent residence is necessary in order to render the cure permanent, although relief may be found by a temporary visit. The eminent Horace Bushnell, D. D., after spending a year in California and one in Cuba, without any permanent relief, spent a year in Minnesota and recovered. In a published letter he says: "I have known of very remarkable cases of recovery there which had seemed to be hopeless. One, of a gentleman who had been carried ashore on a litter, and became a hearty, robust man. Another who told me he had even coughed up bits of his lung, the size of a walnut, was then, seven or eight months after, a sound looking, well-set man, with no cough at all." Persons desiring to move West would do well to come here and see for themselves before moving their families. Those wishing further information regarding Lake Reno, will be promptly furnished by addressing W. Mathews, D. Campbell or W. Hogan, Glenwood, Pope Co., Minn. W. Russell or R. H. Mathews, Sauk Centre, Stearns Co., Minn., will gladly furnish information regarding Round Prairie. W. J. GILLESPIE. LAKE RENO, July 16th, 1868. Ecclesiastical. SYNOD OF THE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. IN the Reformed Presbyterian Witness for July is contained an account of the proceedings of the late meeting of Synod, from which we make the following synopsis : The Synod met in Glasgow, June 9th, 7 P. M., and after a sermon by Rev. R. Wallace, was constituted with prayer. Fourteen members were present. Rev. R. Dunlap was chosen Moderator, and D. Henderson continued clerk. Appropriate minutes respecting Rev. R. F. Martin, who died June 11th, 1867, and Rev. P. Carmichael, who died June 28th, 1867, were submitted and unanimously approved of. Since the previous meeting there were two ordinations-J. M'Donald, pastor of Loanhead congregation, and T. Boyd, of Penpont. There are now in connection with the Synod five ministers and eleven congregations. The number of members is not given in the published minutes. The church is not sufficiently strong to engage actively by itself in the work of Missions. Still the members express an earnest desire to do what they can "to send out a little band of laborers to occupy some foreign field as missionaries of the cross." A correspondence with the church in Ireland was opened in 1865, for the purpose of securing cooperation in this matter. The correspondence is still carried on, but nothing definite has as yet been done. A committee on "The Ministerial Aid Schemes," appointed a year ago, reported. The report was unanimously adopted, and a committee consisting of some members from each congregation was appointed, with instructions "to endeavor to carry out the suggestions contained in their report, in the manner which may appear to them to be the most efficient.' The aim of the Synod is to secure to each pastor a salary of "not less than one hundred and twenty pounds per annumfive hundred and eighty dollars in gold-with manse; exclusive of sacramental and traveling expenses; and where there is no manse, not less than one hundred and forty pounds-six hundred and seventyseven dollars in gold." The Ferguson bequest, from which formerly some of the ministers received an addition to the salary given by the congregation, is still withheld by the trustees. The New Side alone. receive the benefit of it. The propriety of Synod soon renewing her covenants was discussed, and "each session was required to send in at the next annual meeting in 1869, a written report in reference to the best mode of renewing Covenants, whether by making such alterations in the original Covenants in the margin, as will enable us, in our altered circumstances, to swear them, in like manner as was done in Auchensaugh in 1712; or by a bond of adherence to the original documents, without any alteration whatever being made on them." Steps were taken for reissuing "certain publications formerly issued by the church, or under its sanction," and " continuing the historical part of the Testimony down to the present time." Delegates from the sister Church of Ireland were present, and addressed the court. A letter to the Synod in America was prepared, and the clerk directed to transmit it. We will publish the letter in connection with the reply our Synod may send. The next meeting will be held on the Tuesday after the first Sabbath of June, 1869, 7 P. M., in Glasgow. ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY. I met in the city of Rochester, Tuesday, May 5th, 1868, A call was presented from the congregation of Lisbon . Black, and forwarded to Pittsburgh Presbytery for Rev. R. D. Sproull had leave of absence from his or so long time as may be necessary for the re-estabhealth. Arrangements were made for supplying his Following arrangements were made for supplying the aly, Lisbon. N. R. Johnston, 4th Sabbath July, 1st ; 2d and 3d Sabbaths, Aug., Sterling. T. Hannay, ound, C. W.; Nov. 1st, 2d and 3d Sabbaths, Toronto; ov., Galt. ng appointments were left to the Interim Committee of djourned to meet in Rochester the 1st Wednesday of at 11 A. M. S. BOWDEN, Clerk. ed from York congregation,...... 21 00 7 00 36 50 66 Mrs. Janet Thompson, Invernay, C. W..... 20 00 |