p. 123 | WORK AMONG THE COPTS

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 26, 1892

WORK AMONG THE COPTS.

THE United Presbyterian mission in Egypt is having remarkable success among the Copts, the influence extending far beyond its own organized work. A letter from Rev. Mr. Alexander in the United Presbyterian reports that at Assiout, where he had long been stationed, the Copts themselves had held nightly meetings for over three years in their cathedral church. They seem to have been, in externals at least, thoroughly reformed, for they have abolished the confessional, and have removed the pictures of the Virgin and the saints.

All this has been done under the leadership of the reformed Coptic priests; but these priests are not competent to lead in the further reformation of the church, or in the unfolding of the Scriptures. They are untrained, and most of them extremely ignorant. At Assiout the leaders in the Coptic church have asked the United Presbyterian mission for one of its licentiates to become their religious teacher, providing his support, and promising him freedom of utterance.

In other places in Upper Egypt the Copts have held meetings similar to those at Assiout. Three Coptic young men have been placed by their parents in the training college of the United Presbyterian mission, with the avowed purpose of preparing them for service in the old church. This certainly is a remarkable movement, and one of great promise for the future.—Christian at Work.