THE BAPTISTS IN BRITTANY, FRANCE.

THE REV. F. TRESTRAIL, one of the Secretaries of the Baptist Missionary Society, visited these brethren during the autumn of the past year. In a report of his journey he mentions many pleasing incidents. He says:

"I was painfully impressed with the intensely popish character of all things wherever I went. Crosses, crucifixes, and priests, met one at every turn. But the physical condition and appearance of the peasantry, as compared with those I had seen in other parts of France, were very superior. They are very tenacious of their customs, language, and religion. But in those cases of conversion which have occurred amongst them, they abide by their new faith with the same constancy, and are not deterred by the fiercest opposition. The little church at Morlaix, though several of its members live at great distances, and can only occasionally enjoy the public means of grace, has not had to mourn over a single instance of apostacy, notwithstanding the great sacrifices some have been called to make, and the persecution they have had to endure."

It appears that this mission originated in South Wales, the language of the Bretons being similar to that of the Welsh. Mr. Jenkins was sent over in 1834. Mr. Trestrail describes his labours in the translation of the Bible, and the publication of tracts and books, the building of a chapel at Morlaix, the employment of colporteurs, and the opening of village stations. The chapel is the only Prótestant place of worship in the town. On the Lord's-day Mr. T. was present. He says:

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'Nearly all present were Bretons, and most Romanists. Many more came in during the service, remained a short time, and then went out. But there was no confusion or disorder. Mr. Jenkins usually preaches in French, but he addresses the Bretons who may be present, in their own language, and contemplates setting up an entire Breton service, as the number who attend is increasing. The singing was very beautiful, and considerable attention is paid to it by those who understand music; and I was pleased to see how generally the congregation joined. In the afternoon there is a Sunday school, consisting of the children of the friends who attend the chapel, and several adults who are anxious to learn to read the Scriptures and receive instruction in them. The chapel is also opened every Saturday, which is the chief market-day, when some thousands of the country people are in the town, and Guilliou

attends to sell testaments and tracts, and to converse with any one who may come in.

When at one of the stations, I visited a family living in a secluded but magnificent gorge among the hills, and I shall not soon forget the expressions of delight with which the father introduced his little girl, an interesting child of nine years of age, as the teacher by whom he himself had been taught to read the Word of God. Both the parents of this little one are hopeful inquirers, and are expected, ere long, to be proposed for baptism and fellowship.

Since the church was formed, twenty-eight persons have been baptized. All these have come from the country except six. Only one has died. Besides seven members who reside in the town, there are five friends not baptists, who are in fellowship; among whom are Lady Noel, and her niece, Mrs. Donelly. Both these ladies take a very lively interest in the work. Five members have been added to the church this year, and there are two candidates, and some hopeful inquirers. The number of members is now thirty-five.

I had the gratification of accompanying Mr. Jenkins to services held at Plougasnon and Tremel. The former was held in an old Romish chapel, on the property of a lady recently escaped from the bondage of the Papacy, and the expressions of her abhorrence of it are intense and startling. It was interesting to see Mr. Jenkins standing on the platform of what was formerly an altar, while opposite to him were the ruins of a confessional. Our little congregation, though hastily summoned, consisted of twenty-five persons, and their attention to the sermon was very marked.

The service at Tremel was held in a rude hut about 20 feet square. The people began to drop in while the couple living in it were taking their evening meal of potatoes and milk, the fowls having gone to roost in the rafters above. I sat in a corner, and looked on. Mr. Jenkins was quietly studying his sermon by the aid of a solitary light, and now and then speaking to those whom he knew as they entered. The hut was soon full, and as there were only two or three stools, the people had to stand; and with their large hats, short pipes, and unshaven faces, they looked more like a company of brigands than anything else. But when Mr. Jenkins rose there was instantly a profound silence; and after cordially welcoming them, he requested Gwilliou to pray. Every head was immediately uncovered, and all knelt reverently down. The prayer was very earnest. We then sang a hymn, and Mr. Jenkins preached, and Gwilliou closed the service. I learned that there

were more persons outside the hut than there were in it. In that case there could not have been less than 150 persons present. It took us some time to get away from the people, to whom the visit was evidently most gratifying. Nearly all were Papists. It was midnight ere we arrived home; but no one cared for the fatigue of this long journey after witnessing such a scene."

Mr. T. intimates that further assistance to Mr. J. in his arduous work is desirable and probable. He says of Mr. J., "He is most highly esteemed by all parties both in town and country, and his reputation is spotless. Mrs. Jenkins is a cordial co-worker in the cause, and I was much gratified to observe the warm interest taken by her and the elder children of the family in it. The more I saw of Mr. Jenkins and his household, the deeper was my impression of his worth. I greatly enjoyed my visit to them."

INFANT-ANGELS IN HEAVEN.

INFANTS die to live. As stars which glitter for a brief moment through the darkness of the night, but when we look again are invisible; not because they have fallen from heaven, but because they have melted away into the light of a cloudless morning; so dying infants are taken to be planted in the diadem of the Sun of Righteousness. In conversation with an eminent minister, the pleasing thought was suggested by him, that those who are taken to heaven in infancy, may always remain children; not such weak, suffering, and dependent creatures, as they were on earth, but bright cherubs, perfect children;-perfect in beauty and in purity. The scriptures speak expressly of "the small and great,” both appearing together in eternity, before God. It was to "the small" as well as to 'the great," that a voice came out from the throne, saying, "PRAISE OUR GOD;" and they responded when the voice of a great multitude was heard, "as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings," saying, "Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth." The hope is not altogether without warrant, therefore, that christians who have lost infant children, shall never be without them—that their death was, indeed, a "kindly harshness, which blessed them into an eternal image of youth and beauty." What earthly home is not made happier by the presence of little children, with all their infirmities, the cares they impose, and the anxieties they awaken? Without them, a home may be filled with much that is graceful and refined; like a garden, it may

have many fine walks and arbours, but it is a garden without flowers. What, then, will our "Father's house" in heaven be, filled with those who are infants, without weakness and without wants, and clothed upon with all the beauty and loveliness of angels; and who, like murmuring ripples, which serve to swell the voice of many waters, when they break upon the shore, shall bear their humble part in heaven's immortal song. As, of that great multitude, which no man can number, who already have gone from earth to heaven, they now form the vast majority, it is obvious that we fail to do justice to the subject, if we leave out so important an element in the redeemed society.

"OF SUCH IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD."

THAT glorious kingdom in the sky,
Is of young children chiefly made;
Their precious spirits, when they die,
Are safe to Jesus' arms convey'd.

He died to save them by His blood;
And they are trophies of his grace,
For ever near the throne of God,
Beholding his unveiled face.

They know no pain or sickness there,
No burning day, no gloomy night;
But crowns of joy and glory wear,
And shine in robes of spotless white.

Hosannas fill their happy tongues,

And praise to Christ for evermore;
While angels listen to their songs,
Admire, and wonder, and adore.

O how should I delight to be,
Among them in that world of joy!
My blessed Saviour's face to see,
And join in their belov'd employ.

Dear Saviour, teach me how to live,
And guide me in thy holy ways;

And when I die, my soul receive,

To heaven, to celebrate thy praise.

S. D.

THE ADOPTED ORPHAN.

BY REV. C. LAROM.

"The disciples of Jesus appreciate his resurrection. It lies as the foundation of their religious hope. Their highest expectations rest upon it. Their valuation of it is raised by intimations of its vast importance that are frequently presented to them. One such may not be unfitly or unprofitably mentioned here. The writer was invited to preach at a village in D- —, and was received into the house of a highly esteemed friend he had known before-a christian gentleman, who had been a considerable manufacturer in a neighbouring town, and while there a deacon of a large and flourishing church. He had retired to his native village, was actively useful in connection with a christian church near the place, and a valued superintendent of its sabbath school. Sitting with him and his very excellent wife, and finding that they had no children, the writer ventured to suggest that they should, if possible, adopt one. He replied, 'Ah, we have done that, and the result is a tale of much interest, with some parts of which, at least, you ought to be made acquainted. Before I removed to carry on business in N,' he said, 'there was an excellent man here whom I greatly loved. He was not of my own religious denomination, but an eminent christian, an occasional preacher, and was universally respected. He was taken with affliction, and soon died; and his wife shortly after sank into the tomb. Their orphan children were left without provision. We had previously taken one of these for a short time to our house. On the death of the parents, I said to my wife, 'My dear, we must keep this girl.' It was agreed upon, and thenceforth we regarded her as ours. She grew up cheerful and amiable, and we loved her as our own. During her educational course she was placed at a boarding-school in Sheffield, where she heard you preach; and God was pleased to make that preaching a special blessing to her. She always said it was the means of her conversion. Her period of boarding-school instruction terminated. She returned to our residence at N, and was received into full communion with the church there to which we ourselves belonged. Her religious character improved; and presently she became betrothed to a estimable young man, of the medical profession, who was greatly attached to her. We looked with complacency upon her course; it seemed to brighten as she passed along. But, alas! clouds began to rise; they gathered thicker, and grew darker still; she was seized upon by consumption;