PROTESTANTS IN SOUTH AMERICA.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR:1
Sra,—A Committee was appointed in Chicago, April 2nd, 1894, to direct a movement to secure for Protestants in the Republics of Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia that same liberty of conscience which is enjoyed by Roman Catholics in the United States of America. Since it commenced its labours, Peru has amended its marriage laws " so as to give legal status to the non-Catholic and civil marriages of aliens within its jurisdiction." President McKinley in his Message to Congress of December 5th, 1899, states that " our representa- tive has been instructed to use all permissible friendly endeavours to induce the Government of Bolivia to amend its marriage laws." This utterance of the- President and the action of the State Department gave great cheer. In Ecuador the patronato law received the approval of the Executive, September 27th, 1899. The communications which I have received from the Secretary of State indicate an unmistak- able progress in the South American Republics. To the following condition of things in South America earnest attention is kindly invited. A Protestant Bishop--Bishop Ninde, of the Methodist Episcopal Church—describing a very recent visit to Peru, says :—" It seems a burning shame that in this advanced period the rights of con- science are so restricted that no public religious services are permitted outside the Roman Catholic churches. I was myself admitted to a prayer meeting in Callao by a ticket handed me by the door-keeper in evidence that the meeting was private, and thus not held in violation of law." Every reader of the Spectator who believes that there should be accorded to Protestant churches in Peru what is cheerfully accorded to Roman Catholic churches in the British Empire and this Republic—the right of holding public religious services—can help the cause of religious liberty most materially. Liberty-loving Americans will gladly welcome communications advocating for Protestant churches in Peru the precious right that is now denied them. Such communica- tions addressed to the Rev. John Lee, M.A., 57 Washington Street, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A., will be potent factors in bringing about a new era in Peru. Most heartily, indeed, in behalf of the Committee that I have served, do I express its gratitude to the good and great men in the British Isles whose letters nobly helped to amend the marriage laws of Peru, so that that South American Republic, as far as these laws are concerned, has been brought, to use the language of President McKinley, " into harmony with the general practice of modern nations."—I am, Sir, &c.,
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