The blow was taken like a bolt from hea- | Jesus whom he preached, and many ven. Sosudden, so terrible, she staggered would believe on Him.

and fell beneath it; but soon recovered, At St. Quentin, a few leagues from and manifested such abounding Christian Cambray, there are several disciples, resignation as to excite the wonder and but no one who is stationed there as a admiration of all. Dear sister! she colporteur. This, I think, would be one would be a bright example to many of the most eligible situations for an able whose privileges far exceed those which and intelligent preacher. she has enjoyed. Br. Lucas' death spread a pall of sadness over the little company of disciples for several weeks.

The French Peasantry.

The evening brought us to La Fère, the place of M. Foulon's residence. Without the gates of the city were brethren Lepoids, Foulon, and Besin, waiting on the drawbridge for our arrival. These brethBr. Willard left Douai with me on the ren had all suffered for Christ's sake, and 23d of May, to attend a meeting for bap-were endeared to all by their fidelity and tism in the field occupied by M Foulon affection. The evening was spent with our as pastor, and M. Ledouble and others br. Foulon in conversation and prayer, as colporteurs. Our way was through and the morrow was anticipated with soone of the most beautiful countries on licitude and pleasure. which the eye of man ever rested; all bearing the "marks and numbers" of Ride to Servais-Chateau of Henry IV. feudal influence, in the extended unenThe morning of the 25th rose most closed fields of the seigneurs, and the beautiful upon us, and we started early dense villages, or old walled cities, crowd- from La Fère on foot to Servais, about ed with the cottages of the peasantry, four or five miles distant, where the who cultivated the surrounding fields. meeting was to be holden that day. The happiness of the French peasantry, We passed through and near several vilof which so much is said by travellers, is lages; the people were, some of them, hardly entitled to the place which has attending to their ordinary business, and been given to it. They are cheerful, some preparing for church. After walkunsusceptible, reckless, and improvident; ing several miles, we called at a cottage exceedingly destitute of social virtues, where a brother resided, who had reand nearly ignorant of what we of Pro-cently embraced Christ; his wife had testant New England call social home also become a disciple. When they comforts among the laborers in the rural districts and agricultural neighborhoods in the Northern States. A pure Protestant Christianity would effect a change among them almost as great, in many places, as among the heathen.

Fenelon-St. Quentin-La Fere.

As we passed through the old city of Cambray, and entered the market-place where Fenelon had often mingled with the crowd who came to the town to sell the proceeds of their labor, and as I stood at the door of the church in which he used to preach, and saw the ignorant and irreligious multitude thronging those streets, my heart was sad. Had we the men to spare from other fields, they would be heard here, preaching the same

learned I came from America, and was a friend of the mission, they expressed great satisfaction. There was in them both the most decided evidence of a

deep and radical change. The wife was to have been baptized that day, but her illness prevented. We were now passing the scene of M. Foulon's labors. In many of the cottages along the wayside had these evangelists preached Christ and Him crucified to the wondering and earnest Catholics. Many had listened, and some believed, while a few had opposed and persecuted. It was in one of the cottages on this beautiful elevation of land, that one of our young brethren, who was acting as a colporting evangelist, was seized a few months before by an officer of government, and dragged

of old, they seemed to rejoice that they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ. We descended into the beautiful valley, and reached the house of M. Ledouble about 10 o'clock, where we found the brethren and sisters assembling in and about the chapel. They came from great distances, in some cases four or five leagues, and always on foot. The chapel is a small room in a house occupied by colporteur Ledouble, which is one of the cottages belonging to the old chateau or castle of Henry IV. It is a singular but not uninteresting coincidence, that our brethren are occupying the spot where this Huguenot prince, about 300 years since, used to assemble with the disciples of Jesus of Nazareth, and encourage and defend them. Nor is it less a matter of gratulation than an occasion of gratitude to God, that the present occupant and owner of this interesting and valuable estate is the friend of our brethren. While the people were coming in, my mind was occupied with the scenes which had recently been witnessed here. It was here that Foulon was seized, and from hence taken to prison in La Fère. Here many papists had learned the way of life, and here, to-day, others were to join the company of disciples. In a short time I found myself among a number of our principal laborers in this field, and all were welcomed with the most affectionate greeting.

with great violence from the house. As the listeners were deeply affected, and under conviction for sin. Most of the candidates were past middle age, and had come out from the Catholic church amid great opposition. There was a solemn earnestness about them, which gave one great confidence in their declarations. The whole number were admitted for baptism, and the congregation dispersed, to reassemble at the place of its administration. It was in a quiet stream, which flowed at the foot of the garden of the chateau, that these disciples were to be buried with their Master, in the ordinance of His appointment. It was a brilliant day—every thing was in the beautiful attire of spring. The garden, the margin of the stream, shaded by poplars, the high-way beyond, thronged with people, the cultivated grounds of the castle in the rear, the ancient abode of royalty, and the home of the best king France ever had, deepened the feeling inspired by this most interesting service. After singing and prayer, M. Lepoids began to speak to the people. As he proceeded, the occasion and the circumstances moved his spirit most strongly. He stood before more than a thousand Catholics, who had been dismissed from a neighboring church at an earlier hour than usual, that they might witness and disturb this Protestant service. He was in presence of the officers who had recently bound him and led him away to prison. Few who were among the crowd had ever witnessed a baptism, and many now listened to the

Baptismal services.

At the time the services commenced, there were 150 or 200 present. M. Fou-gospel for the first time. His whole soul lon preached. His sermon was a clear was deeply stirred, and he poured forth statement of the doctrine of baptism, and his words and tears with great pathos. an able argument for the manner in He spoke for the truth and his Master which the rite was about to be performed. with the directness and boldness of a man At the close of the service, those who who has no fear. He warned and exwished for baptism and admission to the horted the careless crowd with much afchurch were called forward. Fifteen fection and earnestness. The manifespersons separated themselves from the tations of opposition subsided. The congregation. Their examination was careless became attentive, and the noisy conducted by M. Lepoids, in presence quiet. When the first candidate was of the church, and before their friends led into the water, there seemed to pass and Catholic acquaintances. It was through the crowd a general sensation of most thorough and searching. Many of horror; they expected drowning as the

consequence. When he was safely led | gospel to the poor ignorant Catholics.

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out, this feeling subsided, and they lis- He charged me to express his gratitude tened attentively and observed carefully. to the Executive Committee and the conOn more than one face the smile of con- tributors to the Union, for the interest tempt gave place to tears. The sighs they had taken in his brethren. “O,” and sorrow of many were most cheering said he, with the deepest emotion, “if evidence that the great Head of the they had not sent these men among us, church was present and approved the I should have been lost forever—I should service. At its close the assembly quiet-never have known Christ." And he fell ly dispersed, and returned, hundreds of on my neck and kissed me, amid his them, with such thoughts and feelings as never were theirs before. A spirit of inquiry was awakened in many minds, which will issue in good to their souls.

Administration of the Supper.

tears of grateful joy, bidding me adieu again and again. The renovation of these men distinguishes them so clearly from their neighbors that all see the change. We spent the night again in the house of our dear br. Foulon.

The laborers and the field.

In the afternoon M. Lepoids preached. The chapel was crowded; the windows and all around them full of attentive The scenes which I had witnessed this hearers. The communion of the Lord's day gave me a deep impression of the Supper was celebrated after the sermon. value of the French Mission. The men The church partook of the elements who are laboring there have a strong standing; about fifty were present. This, hold on the minds of a great multitude of to me, was a season of most intense people. The peasantry have confidence interest. We truly sat together in in them, and just so soon as they gain heavenly places. Deep and solemn knowledge enough to see that there is a feeling pervaded the whole congrega-way of salvation out of the papal church, tion. The people seemed unwilling to and know what the way is, multitudes leave a scene of such unusual interest. will embrace the Saviour. The field is It was nearly 6 o'clock when all dispersed. white and waiting for the reaper's hand. This will be a memorable occasion in the The Lord is there, preparing the hearts little village of Servais. of the people to hear and believe the truth. The stream of evangelical influence which has flowed on almost unnoticed and so quiet, is deep and broad. The last two years are showing the fruits of previous labor. There is much more done in the department of Aisne by the agency which we employ and sustain, than is accomplished in any other department by any other society, whose reports have awakened so much surprise and interest in this country.

M. Courty, the proprietor of the old royal domain, was among the most attentive hearers. For more than four hours did he stand before the Lord that day. He has shown himself the friend of our brethren, and treated br. Willard and myself with great courtesy on this occasion. He earnestly begged us to spend several days with him, after shewing us through his chateau. May he become heir to a heavenly mansion.

A convert's message.

On our way back to the city of La Fère, the brother at whose cottage we called in the morning came out, and grasping me by the hand, gave utterance to his feelings in the most affectionate and grateful mention of the benefit the disciples in America had conferred on his country in aiding them to publish the

Paris-Labors of Dr. Devan.

After a few days I visited Paris, and saw some of the colporteurs who were engaged in the work in that city with Dr. Devan. The principal work at that time was selling testaments, and conversation and meetings on the Sabbath. Br. Devan was urging forward the effort with his accustomed energy, and using

all the means of which he could avail | sion more in the department of Aisne, himself to raise the standard into the sight of the people. The place where meetings were holden on the Sabbath was small, however, and was not considered an eligible situation. The attendance was between twenty and thirty, who seemed attached to the place and to br. Devan. If a failure ensue, it will not be for want of activity on his part. The field is one of great difficulty.

Association of French Baptists.

On the 6th of June the brethren of the mission met at Verberie, to hold the first Association of French Baptists. This is the central and principal station of our br. Crètin. He is one of the most energetic and resolute of men; his influence is widely felt in the department of Oise.

Nearly all our laborers were gathered at this meeting. The various interests of the mission in France were discussed, and some course of action decided on in each case. The session was continued for several days; the discussions were spirited and earnest. The brethren all evinced deep interest in the of progress the work among their countrymen. The churches are agreed in their articles of faith, which are very simple and evangelical. There were several young brethren at this meeting, from whom much is expected. May God spare and prosper them.

where the field seemed most promising. Some of the brethren were called from their former stations, and placed in new positions. It appeared to be best to fill this department with " this doctrine,” and endeavor ere long to raise up some selfsustaining churches. The brethren are beginning to make some contributions to the cause of Christ from their great penury.

I saw enough of br. Willard's strength and force here to convince me that his place could not be supplied. The whole mission depend on him, while he makes them depend on themselves as much as possible. He knows the ground which he occupies, and the material which he has to work upon. It is surprising what he accomplishes, with the means afforded him. If we except the German, no mission is yielding a larger return for the present investment. This return is not to be counted in converts alone, for the two years past; though these have been nearly one hundred.

Suspension of labors at Paris. Soon after the close of this meeting at Verberie I left France, and was absent more than two months. On my return, I reached Paris on the 21st of August. Here I met letters from the Missionary Rooms in Boston, and learned some facts from Dr. Devan which inclined me to the opinion that he was called out of that field. There was no promise of advancement without a great increase of expenditure, and the appointment of an able native preacher. We knew of no one who could be put into that field, who was not already more usefully employed than he could be in Paris. The recent increase of interest in the south, in the department of Montbrison, seemed to open a door for Dr. Devan, and, after earnest prayer to God for direction, and consultation with the missionary brethren, it was thought best to suspend operations at Paris. All concurred in this opinion, and accordingly br. Devan It was deemed desirable at this meet- gave up the chapel and ceased preaching to concentrate the efforts of the mis-ing, the last of August.

I was much interested in seeing the whole force in this great field brought together. There was great diversity of character—each a most efficient actor in his way. M. Thieffry presided-M. Crètin was clerk. Br. Willard set the rest to work, and acted as a kind of balancewheel in the movements of the machinery. The state of things in the field, as a whole, was most gratifying. As they looked back a few years, all were constrained to say, "What has God wrought!"

Plan of future operations.