Wheeling Register

SUNDAY TOPICS.

REV. C. M. ALFORD DELIVERS AN EVENING DISCOURSE ON CHILE.

Some Highly Interesting Observations in That Country—Rev. Dr. Riker, of the Fourth Street Church, Preaches Upon the Model Office-Holder of Babylon.

Rev. C. M. Alford, of the Third Presbyterian church, preached an interesting sermon last night to a large congregation. He took his text from Isaiah 52:10, 'The ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.' After referring to the work of colonization done by England and Spain, the speaker continued:

By revolutions and civil wars religious toleration is rapidly passing away, and civil and religious liberty are becoming general. Our missionaries going to South America find the doors opening on every hand. For lack of money and men they cannot fill the field as fast as it opens before them.

Chile is one thousand square miles greater than Texas and Missouri combined. By conquest it was brought under Spanish dominion in 1535. The rulers were tyrannical, and had no common interest with the people. They watched their opportunity to become free, and when the French troops overran Spain, in 1808, Chile became independent. In 1833 the constitution now in force was ratified and the Republic began its career. The constitution is similar to that of the United States, but trial by jury is not the custom in Chile.

Among all the South American countries, Chile takes the front rank in intelligence and enterprise, as Brazil does in territorial area. The country at present has a population of 3,200,000.

Rev. Alford referred to the two political parties, the Conservatives, demanding the enforcement of the edicts of the Catholic Church, the abolition of the public schools, and in opposition to all methods of reform; and the Liberals, advocating the non-interference of the church in political affairs, public education, and the maintenance of reform.

In September, 1886, the Liberals elected Manuel Balmaceda President. He was a man of liberal mind, brilliant speech, and renowned for his reformed movements. His presidency began like the reign of Saul, the first King of Israel, with bright prospects. Everybody predicted a brilliant career, and nobody foresaw the coming storm. At first the real object of Balmaceda breaking with the Government was a mystery. He appeared to be playing the role of Charles I, in dissolving his parliament. Then he appeared to be imitating Cromwell in claiming to be dictator. The real cause is now discovered. He was determined to enrich himself at the expense of the government. The civil war was brought on by a man who, forgetting that he ought to be the greatest servant of his country, imagined himself its master.

The missions of the Presbyterian Church are very hopeful. The people do not love Protestantism for its spiritual religion, but they see that it is everywhere linked with civil and religious liberty, with education, aggressive enterprise, good government, and national prosperity; and as they look at their own degraded condition, they naturally turn to Protestantism as a help to political and national progress.

The one thing most needed in Chile is Christian education. Ignorance abounds on every side. What they need is training in those principles which give stability of character and true conscience. Balmaceda himself was educated in a Jesuit school, with the intention of becoming a priest. Had he been trained under Biblical influence, with the humble Nazarene as his example, his proud nature might have been curbed, and his history, and that of Chile, been decidedly different.

We are living in wonderful times. Wherever the eye is turned, we see the cause of Christ and civilization on the march, and that march is a quick step. India is now a starry firmament, sparkling with missionary stations; China's walls have fallen to the earth, and the missionary goes straight forward to victory; Japan is the cynosure of all eyes, in her strides toward Christian civilization; Turkey is dotted with churches, from the Golden Horn to the Euphrates, and the cross is outshining the crescent; Africa is stretching out her hands for the truth; Papal lands of Central and South America in their upheavals, are turning toward civil and religious freedom; and Signor Arrighi prophesies that 'the World's Evangelical Alliance will yet meet in St. Peter's church, and lodge its delegates in the Chambers of the Vatican.' He might also have added, and the pope himself will preside over its deliberations. God's promise is being verified—'All the ends of the earth are seeing the salvation of our God.'