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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 9

General Intelligence

General Intelligence.

Obituary.—The Rev. Wm. White, F.C., Haddington; Rev. Dr. Gibson, Glasgow; Rev. John Sandison, F.C., Arbroath; Rev. Wm. Allan,. U.P.C., Arbroath.

Death of Rev. Tiyo Soga.—It is with deep regret we learn that this Kaffir missionary, the first of his race who attained the position of a regularly educated and ordained Christian minister, died on the 12th August last. As a student at the Theological Hall, we can say from personal knowledge, that he held a high place in the estimation of his fellows both as a student and a man. Having finished the regular course of study, he was ordained as a missionary, and during the few years he has been permitted to labour—about 14 years—he has besides founding two mission stations and doing all the hard work of a pioneer missionary, translated the Pilgrim's Progress, composed many beautiful hymns in the Kaffir language, taken a very important part in the translation of the New Testament as far as the twenty-third chapter of the Acts, and has written many valuable discourses in both the English and Kaffir languages. He was forty-two years of age at his death. The Grahamstown journal says in reference to it: —"Individually, it is a great loss; and relatively, it is a loss which at the present time cannot be estimated. His missionary power and influence was peculiarly great in the South African mission-field. He was the only educated Kaffir—the first of his race—who had struggled manfully and successfully up to the platform of educated English life. He was the only University-trained missionary from among his people, and this training really elevated and ennobled him."

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The Fire at Chicago.—The dreadful nature of the fire at Chicago which began on the 8th October last, can hardly be realised by us. It has been estimated that 12,000 houses have been burnt, 100,000 persons rendered homeless, and property worth 150 millions of dollars destroyed. It began on a Sabbath night. A kerosere lamp in a stable was knocked over by the kick of a cow, the place was set in flames, and the fire spread to the adjoining houses. Great excitement seized the people; the smoke and flames blinded many who were trying to escape. Amid the general panic, thieves and even incendiaries were pursuing their nefarious practices. About forty of these were caught by the soldiers who were brought to assist by the order of General Sheridan. They were hanged on the nearest post. Universal sympathy has been expressed, and substantial assistance has flowed in freely from many parts of the world, but all we fear insufficient to meet the necessities of the case. The area of the city laid in ruins extends over more than twice the space destroyed in the Great Fire of London, in 1666, though the number of dwellings may not be so great. Many have perished, the numbers being estimated at from one to two thousand, —in this respect presenting a great contrast to the fire of London, in which it is recorded that none perished.

Reform Movement in Austria.—Father Anton, of Ling.—This priest was recently suspended by his Bishop for preaching against the Infallibility dogma; but as his parishioners sympathised with his views, he took to preaching in barns in the open air, where his ministrations were attended by eager listeners. The reforms proposed by him and which have been widely accepted are as follows:—"1. Each community shall have the right to choose its own priest; and priests are no longer to be named by the bishops. 2. Priests must be sufficiently paid by the community to enable them to live respectably. 3. Compulsory celibacy must cease. Priests shall be allowed to marry as in the early times of Christianity. 4. The Chapters shall be dissolved. 5. Masses and the service of the Church must be spoken and read in German, or in the common language of the province. 6. There can be no separate payments for masses at burials, baptisms, &c. The priest's salary shall be sufficient io enable him to live without charging additional fees. 7. Inequalities between the burials of rich and of poor must cease. There shall be no pomp or extra ceremony. One priest only shall officiate on such occasions. 8. Auricular confession must cease. 9. Pilgrimages, processions, and begging missions must cease. 10. The worship of pictures, statues, and images must cease. 11. The traffic in relics must be discontinued, and be proceeded against by the State."

English High Churchmen express sympathy with the views of Dr. Döllinger, and are sanguine of the fusion of this party, and of the old Catholics of Germany.

Frequent union prayer meetings are held in America for a revival of religion, and there is a prevailing expectation of its immediate occurrence.

Mills, Dick & Co., Printers, Stafford Street, Dunedin.