INTELLIGENCE FROM THE MISSIONS.

FRANCE.

LETTER OF REV. J. W. PARKER.

The readers of the Magazine are apprized of Mr. Parker's visit the past year to France and Germany, and of some of the interesting facts and incidents which came under his ob

of them among the deeply interested hearers of our young French br. Fla

mant.

These meetings at Douai are holden at the house of br. Willard, and are sometimes exceedingly interesting. With

servation in his intercourse with our mis- the instruction of the young men, an exsionary brethren in those countries, as pub-position on Sabbath morning for them, lished in several numbers of our last volume. and with the correspondence and care of In the present number, we are enabled to all the other stations, his time is crowded give a consecutive and fuller narrative of the with work. scenes he witnessed in France; and although some portions of it may have been presented in another form, the whole embodies too much interest to allow abbreviation.

Douai-Mission labors and results.

It is known that Douai has been for more than twelve years the residence of the American superintendent of the mission in the north of France. It is a quiet old town, with a population of about 20,000, including about 3,000 soldiers. It is situated in the midst of a most beautiful and fertile undulating plain, not far from 35 leagues south-east of Calais, and on the great northern line of railway between Paris and Belgium. From four to six leagues distant are the churches of Bertry and Orchies. All the above named places are in the department of the North.

She

Piety ripening under affliction. God by his providence has tested and developed the piety of some of the disciples at Douai. Last winter there were many fatal cases of cholera within a short distance of br. Willard's residence. Among those attacked was the wife of one of the brethren who were engaged in study. The symptoms were of the worst type; there was little reason to hope for her recovery. She was most ardently attached to her husband, and strongly desirous of helping him in the work to which he was to devote himself among his Catholic countrymen. The disease made frightful progress, and assumed the most alarming form. was calm, perfectly resigned; aye, even exulting, in view of all that was before There is a small church at Douai, to her. Her heavenly calmness and resigwhich Mr. Willard, and the young bre-nation not only conquered the fear of thren who are studying with him, preach on the Sabbath. At the present time, there are three or four under his care, who are expected to enter soon into the field as preachers of the gospel. They are young men of much excellence of within nine months she would look character, and possess the confidence on the form of her husband, taken from and affection of their older brethren. her in a moment by drowning. He had Some of these young men go out to the gone to walk and bathe one evening, villages in the vicinity and preach Christ early in August. She was spreading to the peasantry, much to their gratifi- the table with their simple repast, ready cation. God has blessed these labors. for his return. About the time he should At a communion at Douai, when these have returned, those with whom he went labors were suspended, I saw a number out bore his lifeless body to his house.

death, but disease and death itself. She rose up as if by miracle. Her friends attribute her recovery to the Christian hope which she cherished. Dear sister! little did she think at that time, that

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.

At St. Quentin, a few leagues from Cambray, there are several disciples, but no one who is stationed there as a

and fell beneath it; but soon recovered, and manifested such abounding Christian resignation as to excite the wonder and admiration of all. Dear sister! she colporteur. This, I think, would be one

would be a bright example to many whose privileges far exceed those which she has enjoyed. Br. Lucas' death spread a pall of sadness over the little company of disciples for several weeks.

The French Peasantry.

of the most eligible situations for an able and intelligent preacher.

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 brethren had all suffered for Christ's sake, and were endeared to all by their fidelity and affection. The evening was spent with our br. Foulon in conversation and prayer, and the morrow was anticipated with solicitude and pleasure.

Ride to Servais-Chateau of Henry IV.

The morning of the 25th rose most beautiful upon us, and we started early from La Fère on foot to Servais, about

Br. Willard left Douai with me on the 23d of May, to attend a meeting for baptism in the field occupied by M Foulon as pastor, and M. Ledouble and others as colporteurs. Our way was through one of the most beautiful countries on which the eye of man ever rested; all bearing the "marks and numbers" of feudal influence, in the extended unenclosed fields of the seigneurs, and the dense villages, or old walled cities, crowded 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 places, as among the heathen.

Fenelon-St. Quentin-La Fere.

many

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

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 de‐

mitted 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

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 clarations. The whole number were adgreat 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' garden, the margin of the stream, shadof 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, the best king France ever had, deepened 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.

Baptismal services.

ed 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 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

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

66

consequence. When he was safely led | gospel to the poor ignorant Catholics. 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 tears of grateful joy, bidding me adieu never were theirs before. A spirit of again and again. The renovation of inquiry was awakened in many minds, these men distinguishes them so clearly which will issue in good to their souls. from their neighbors that all see the change. We spent the night again in the house of our dear br. Foulon.

Administration of the Supper.

The laborers and the field.

The scenes which I had witnessed this day gave me a deep impression of the value of the French Mission. The men who are laboring there have a strong hold on the minds of a great multitude of people. The peasantry have confidence

In the afternoon M. Lepoids preached. The chapel was crowded; the windows and all around them full of attentive hearers. The communion of the Lord's Supper was celebrated after the sermon. The church partook of the elements standing; about fifty were present. This, to me, was a season of most intense 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 congregation. The people seemed unwilling to leave a scene of such unusual interest. It was nearly 6 o'clock when all dispersed. This will be a memorable occasion in the little village of Servais.

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

way of salvation out of the papal church, and know what the way is, multitudes will embrace the Saviour. The field is white and waiting for the reaper's hand. The Lord is there, preparing the hearts 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.

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