Religious Revolution in Ecuador
THE last six months have witnessed a remarkable change in Ecuador. For more than three hundred years, since the invasion and conquest by Pizarro and his Spaniards, Ecuador has been under almost exclusive priestly rule. The only religion tolerated has been the Roman Catholic. The dominant political party—the conservative—was simply the clerical party. But a curious incident of the late war between China and Japan led to a revolution against this clerical party, and last summer this revolution was successful. The leader of the liberal or revolutionary party, General Alfaro, was chosen president. He is in favor of religious liberty; the constitution has been revised, and the first Protestant missionaries have been permitted to enter the country. Almost simultaneously with this revolution, a body of Christians in Kansas, known as the Gospel Union, sent out four missionaries to Ecuador. They have been cordially received by President Alfaro, and have begun work under favorable auspices.—Missionary Review.