II.

THE QUARTERLY REPORT OF THE PARIS EVANGELICAL SOCIETY.

From July 15, to October 15, 1838,

This will give the reader the most recent intelligence, in the words of those conducting and carrying the work forward in France.

LAST year, exactly at this time, the expenses of the French Evangelical Society had exceeded its receipts by more than 20,000 francs, and it had to provide for the payment of 33,000 francs, arising from engagements then subscribed. Such a situation was very embarrassing: it would have been the certain indication of an approaching catastrophe to any earthly enterprize. However, the Committee of the Evangelical Society of France did not lose their courage; they had before them too manifest proofs that the Lord was well pleased with their labours, to venture to doubt the arrival of succours at the suitable moment. Facts have already proved that they were not deceived in their expectation. In examining the result of the accounts of the present year, it will be seen that not only have the committee been able to

answer all their engagements, but that, after having sensibly increased them, by the admission of new agents, the expenses have only at last exceeded the receipts by 3900 francs-a very small deficiency, which the Lord did not supply, doubtless in order to try the faith and confidence of his servants.

After this experience, which proves so strikingly the faithfulness of God, it is clear that whatever may be again the embarrassments of the committee, in any period of its action, it knows assuredly that in looking unceasingly towards Him whose promises are all Yea and Amen, it will infallibly triumph over all the difficulties, however great in appearance, which may present themselves. It is under this conviction, that it does not hesitate to make known to the friends of the Evangelical Society, that it finds itself actually in the same position as last year, with this difference however, that its written engagements have increased in proportion to the great extension of the society's labours. The committee hope that the simple annunciation of this fact will be enough to shew them what is the duty which they have to fulfil without delay, in their circumstances. They well know that their divine Master admits of no temporizing in the manifestation of zeal and of devotedness in his servants, so that it should be necessary to excite them otherwise than by reminding them that what is pleasing to God is the promptitude of a willing mind in the offerings of Christians. The limits of this report do not allow of a suitable proof of what has just been said on the increase of the labours of the society; to give a just idea of this, it would be necessary to detail not only what has been done, but also what has not been done, and above all, what it is possible to do. With

M

regard to the last point, it may be affirmed, without the least exaggeration, that it is possible now, in France, to employ some hundred evangelists with great likelihood of success; an assertion founded on this fact, that a week does not pass, without the committee of the Evangelical Society receiving indications of new works to be undertaken, or of demands as pressing as that which was addressed from Macedonia to St. Paul. Here follow some recent examples: "I have the satisfaction to announce to you," writes a pastor, "that an inhabitant of the commune of C., after reading the Bible, discovered that the religion which he practised was not in accordance with the instructions of this holy book. Since then he has continued his pious researches, which he has not kept to himself, but has communicated to all around him. It is evident that he has acquired great influence, since last Sunday, in the visit which I paid to him, he presented to me forty heads of families, who had travelled a league and a half to come and hear me, and I am assured he would have introduced me to two hundred people, if their labours in the field would have allowed him. Since the controversy to which I have been provoked has taken place, these honest people have desired an interview with me. It was with this view I went to them; they listened to my preaching with the most lively interest, and then took the resolution to assemble in their commune, and there to celebrate public worship, conforming themselves to the rites of the reformed church. Situated twelve leagues from this spot, it is impossible for me to direct, in an efficient manner, the religious excitement which has there manifested itself. Have

you not a good scripture reader to send to me? I call your most serious attention to this request."

The letter which mentions this fact adds an interesting circumstance, which deserves to be named. He who induced his friends to search the scriptures with him was afterwards encouraged to persevere in this good intention, by one of those Vendèan chiefs, who re-appeared since the last insurrection of La Vendée. Taken with arms in his hand, he passed four months in a dungeon, where, left to himself, and in the view of an almost certain death, his thoughts turned to the gospel, and where shortly before he was acquitted by men, he found grace before the Judge of judges, and gave his heart to the Saviour of sinners.

Restored to his family and to society, he has become, to all those with whom he is connected, a faithful witness of the goodness of the Lord, and all his desire is to lead his fellow-sinners to the foot of that cross, where he has found the assurance of his pardon and salvation.

Another friend writes that the church, in the bosom of which he resides, is still counting upon the promise of the society to aid them, by supplying them with a pastor. All the authorities of the different communes where the preaching will be carried on, are, to the utmost degree, favourable to the establishment of evangelical worship. The inhabitants of this district manifest the greatest eagerness to assist in the religious services, which are constantly attended by nearly eight hundred auditors, and they only wait for the appointment of a pastor, to build a place of worship in one of the localities where the gospel will be proclaimed.

In another place are likewise some persons who

are become seriously attentive to the truths of salvation, by the journeys of Bible colporteurs, and address themselves directly to one of the agents of the society, to request of him provision for their spiritual wants. A poor miller makes this request, in their name, in the following terms :

"Reverend Sir,-What thanks have we not to render to God, that he has deigned to send us his holy word, by means of Mr. B. ; it is he whom God has been pleased to use, to shew us the extent of our weakness, and all the darkness of the state of sin in which we still remain. It is he also who, with eagerness and unexampled disinterestedness, has kindled in us the hope of being numbered among the ransomed of Jesus Christ. Be assured, reverend pastor, that by the grace of God, we will persevere in meditating on the word of life, in order to draw from it all things necessary to salvation, and that we will do our utmost to propagate this holy word in our city. Pray to the Lord to aid us by his Holy Spirit, for we know that we can do nothing of ourselves. May the protection of the Father, the grace of the Son, and the light of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Amen.”

These proofs, taken as by chance, from amongst all those contained in the voluminous correspondence of this year, give a very faint idea of the religious wants which are continually announced to the committee; to comprehend the importance of them, you should have, under your eyes, all these letters, so pressing and so importunate, in which sometimes it is pastors who demand, with eagerness, the aid of a preacher, a colporteur, or a teacher; sometimes it is sheep lately received into the fold, who seek earnestly for a shepherd, to lead them faithfully to the good