she founded her hope of eternal life on her works, I read therefore several passages to show her clearly that salvation is of pure grace. The poor woman would willingly have bought a New Testament, but neither she, nor her husband could read. They requested me to come and visit them sometimes on a Sunday, and to read the Gospel to them; I replied, I would gladly come and speak to her and her husband of things so important. She appeared very much attached to the errors of Rome, but I did not speak of it, for I intend to visit her and make her comprehend well, that she cannot be saved but by grace, and I believe, that when once she has understood that, it will be easier to show her the errors of the church of Rome.

"On my way to Metz I met a young man who wished to buy songs. However, I easily perceived that his poor heart was nothing less than joyful, and that he was in need of something. My dear friend, why do you wish to buy profane songs, we do not sell any, but what I have I offer you, the word of God. Believe me it will do you more good than what you wish to obtain from me. I asked him, if he ever thought of what would become of his soul, when God should take it. His answer discovered the cause of his sorrow, for he said: alas, I shall be very unhappy. He conversed a long time, and interested me very much, for though a good Catholic, this young man felt greatly the necessity of believing in a Saviour. I gave him the tract' Qu'est ce qui L'Evangile and le Catholicisme primitif.'—When we parted he would embrace me and ask my pardon for having wished to buy songs. I left him my address and he will come to see me and to buy a New Testament."

The one sows, the other reaps. Here is a statement, which will show that these dear labourers' work is sometimes blessed, though they do not know it themselves. A pious man of Lyon after having done some business at Vienne, left this town in the afternoon to go and sleep at Givor. He met a man with whom he began to talk and the night drawing near his companion said: it is late, the road is little frequented, I advise you to go and spend the night in the next village. Though the Lyoner was rather in a hurry, he stopt at the inn, that had been indicated to him. The innkeeper was a tall man, with broad shoulders; thick and black whiskers with a voice rude and abrupt, this gave to his appearance an expression not in his favour. When he had ordered a bed the traveller saw on the table a book which by the title he recognized to be the New Testament. You have got a good book says the Lyoner. Do you know it? said the innkeeper with his rude voice. Yes a little; and you, do you read it. I have not ceased to do it, since I have got it; my wife and I find it to be a treasure; one learns many thing in it? The Lyoner perceiving that the big man, with the rude voice, who had almost intimidated him at first, spoke as if he and his wife wished to know more of those things, conversed with them for several hours of the gospel, making them read the proofs of what he said in passages in the book before, them. Both were eager to hear. They understood, and the more they understood the greater was their joy. The inn-keeper said: sir, you doubtlessly travel to speak of those good things? No I travel for business' sake. That is strange, you speak like the good boy (brave garçon) who sold me that book. How is his appearance? He is as tall as you, a little stouter, and wears silver spectacles. It was Fargeaud who had been there with Caffrel. It was 12 at night and we were yet talking about the Gospel.

Here are fragments of letters written by two other labourers: the one is dated Vienne (Dophine) 6th March, 1837.

"I set off to sell my books in the town of Vienne, and after having entered a house and wished the peace of the Lord to the little family assembled in

alone. One of these women took a rosary out of her pocket, and holding it up called out to me, here is my book, I want no other. I told her, Christ and the apostles never taught such things; on the contrary, Christ condemns those vain baubles, because they resemble the worship of the Pharisees. At these words they all abused me, telling me, go, go, we wont hear you, and go to hell with you. I went to another house and met with laughter and abuse. It appears the priests have excited those poor people and prejudiced them against the gospel and against us. I went further on and entered a house where a year before I had sold a Bible. I was kindly received and they praised the bible they had got from me. After a few moments, I opened the word of God and conversed with them; our conversation was encouraging. I went to another house, where I had sold a New Testament before, but alas! the mistress of the house had scarcely seen me, when she told me, I wish that all your books were int he river, they are all bad; the one I got from you, I would gladly give back for 50 cents. I told her, I will not retake it, because I know, that the word of God is good; pray, have you read it? No, said she, but they told me, that it was bad and I will certainly not read it. I calmly told her, you speak evil of a book, which is good, and you will not even take the trouble to examine it. I then entered into conversation with her, and hope I dispelled her prejudices, for on leaving her, she told me she would read the book, as soon as she had leisure to do it. I was in several houses, where nobody would buy. I then went to the house of the priest, to offer him my books for sale, for I knew he had on the 26th of this month (December), preached against these books. When I was about to enter the house, I met two priests. I offered them my books, but one of them said to me, I advise you not to sell those New Testaments (translated) by Sacy. Please, tell me, why should I not? But the other priest beckoned him not to answer me, and told him, it was no harm to buy them, and he bought himself tracts for 25 cents. But the Abt. who was at the window, called out to them, not to buy any, those are protestant books of the Swiss Society; ask the pedlar if he has books of the Holy Virgin and of the Saints; I answered him, that I had at his service the tract la Religion d'argent, &c. &c.' After this I went in to another house where I sold many tracts; I found there two amiable pious females, with whom I was much edified.

"At V. I went to visit the priest, having heard that he had taken away the Testaments from many who had bought them. He received us very badly, appeared very angry and said, that with our bad books we aimed at the destruction of his religion. But I answered, he had nothing to fear, if his doctrine was from God. Then he told me: do you think I do not preach the truth? I replied, Christ says, you will know the tree by its fruit; your having ordered the Gospel to be burned, this does not seem a proof that you preach it; and if you did preach it, you would not be afraid to see it in the hands of your people. The priest was very angry at these words, ordered us away and told us, that he would preach against us next Sunday. But we answered, we shall not be sorry for it, provided you preach the truth.

"Nancy. I have not sold much, but I found a woman for whom I felt a lively interest. She was with a shoe-maker, whom I visited. The reason of my visit was to comfort them, for their son was on the point of death. It was a very good opportunity for me to speak to them of spiri tual things, and to entreat them to examine themselves to know if they also were ready to appear before the Lord. The woman was very much affected, shed tears, took my hand and told me; sir, it is the Holy Spirit, who has put it in your heart such things. I perceived soon that

she founded her hope of eternal life on her works, I read therefore several passages to show her clearly that salvation is of pure grace. The poor woman would willingly have bought a New Testament, but neither she, nor her husband could read. They requested me to come and visit them sometimes on a Sunday, and to read the Gospel to them; I replied, I would gladly come and speak to her and her husband of things so important. She appeared very much attached to the errors of Rome, but I did not speak of it, for I intend to visit her and make her comprehend well, that she cannot be saved but by grace, and I believe, that when once she has understood that, it will be easier to show her the errors of the church of Rome.

"On my way to Metz I met a young man who wished to buy songs. However, I easily perceived that his poor heart was nothing less than joyful, and that he was in need of something. My dear friend, why do you wish to buy profane songs, we do not sell any, but what I have I offer you, the word of God. Believe me it will do you more good than what you wish to obtain from me. I asked him, if he ever thought of what would become of his soul, when God should take it. His answer discovered the cause of his sorrow, for he said: alas, I shall be very unhappy. He conversed a long time, and interested me very much, for though a good Catholic, this young man felt greatly the necessity of believing in a Saviour. I gave him the tract Qu'est ce qui L'Evangile and le Catholicisme primitif.'-When we parted he would embrace me and ask my pardon for having wished to buy songs. I left him my address and he will come to see me and to buy a New Testament."

The one sows, the other reaps. Here is a statement, which will show that these dear labourers' work is sometimes blessed, though they do not know it themselves. A pious man of Lyon after having done some business at Vienne, left this town in the afternoon to go and sleep at Givor. He met a man with whom he began to talk and the night drawing near his ' companion said: it is late, the road is little frequented, I advise you to go and spend the night in the next village. Though the Lyoner was rather in a hurry, he stopt at the inn, that had been indicated to him. The innkeeper was a tall man, with broad shoulders; thick and black whiskers with a voice rude and abrupt, this gave to his appearance an expression not in his favour. When he had ordered a bed the traveller saw on the table a book which by the title he recognized to be the New Testament. You have got a good book says the Lyoner. Do you know it? said the innkeeper with his rude voice. Yes a little; and you, do you read it. I have not ceased to do it, since I have got it; my wife and I find it to be a treasure; one learns many thing in it? The Lyoner perceiving that the big man, with the rude voice, who had almost intimidated him at first, spoke as if he and his wife wished to know more of those things, conversed with them for several hours of the gospel, making them read the proofs of what he said in passages in the book before, them. Both were eager to hear. They understood, and the more they understood the greater was their joy. The inn-keeper said: sir, you doubtlessly travel to speak of those good things? No I travel for business' sake. That is strange, you speak like the good boy (brave garçon) who sold me that book. How is his appearance? He is as tall as you, a little stouter, and wears silver spectacles. It was Fargeaud who had been there with Caffrel. It was 12 at night and we were yet talking about the Gospel.

Here are fragments of letters written by two other labourers: the one is dated Vienne (Dophine) 6th March, 1837.

"I set off to sell my books in the town of Vienne, and after having entered a house and wished the peace of the Lord to the little family assembled in

it, I offered them the word of God. This dear family bought a Bible immediately. I went to another house, but there, as it happens but too often, they answered: We are very much obliged to you, but for the present, we are not in want of any thing.' You are mistaken, said I, for if you knew the gift of God, and if you take to heart, your temporal and your eternal welfare, you will perceive that you cannot be without the Gospel; without it your troubles are vain and peace leaves you. This made way for serious conversation, and it appeared to me, that this family wish to embrace the pure religion of the Gospel. In another house a lady of about forty years, intelligent and well educated, received me with politeness; but when I pressed her to buy a New Testament, she answered; I have no money; take care, said I, do not tell a falsehood, for God has said, that liars shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Every thing around you shows me that you are in easy circumstances, take care not to deprive yourself through your own fault of the word of God. Ah, Sir, answered she, you judge rashly; I keep every thing in this room by living with great sobriety; there are poor who do not want assistance as much as I. For seventeen years, since my mother is dead, I do nothing but cry, and I wait for death with impatience; I would never leave this house, because my mother told me, on her death-bed, that she would soon come and take me; alas! seventeen years have elapsed, and she has not yet been able to keep her word. She told me this while shedding a stream of tears. I spoke to her of the Saviour, her emotion was so great, that I could not but give her a New Testament. She would not accept it, having no money. Finally she expressed her sincere gratitude and gave me the address of a paralytic lady, to whom, I might be able to speak of Jesus. I went to another lady and offered her the word of God. She does not know how to read, but as she appeared to be dangerously sick, I spoke to her of the confidence we must have in Christ in our life and death. She listened attentively and felt what I said; she gave me the address of a rich manufacturer inconsolable for the loss of his wife. She gave me her son to accompany me to his house. I found in him a man of amiable character, but plunged in deep distress, the knowledge of the different philosophical systems of our age were not able to remove his grief. Volney, Dupuis, Voltaire have prevented him from turning his eyes to the Lamb of God, who alone can procure true peace and true consolation. After much talking, discussion and contest, he decided to buy a New Testament, and he promised me to read it attentively, God bless him !-Yesterday, Sunday, I had the great consolation to see myself surrounded by a dozen souls, thirsting after the word of God.

"I was afraid I should not possess the gift to speak to them of God's mercies, but I prayed to the Lord and he heard me. From 2 o'clock to eight in the evening, these dear souls listened with the greatest attention. They wish anxiously to see a minister of the Gospel establish himself at Vienne. There should be no delay, for I believe after all I hear and the little I have seen myself, that the Lord has many people in this town." Another writes from Chaumout (Haute Marne) 13th March. "Since I wrote my last letter I have found a gentleman who wanted to buy 150 or 200 New Testaments in order to distribute them among the poor children of the town and a neighbouring village. He is an interesting man; he wishes a Bible for himself and for two of his friends.

"It appears that at Vassy a gentleman has distributed a great number of copies of the Bible, which he had got from Paris, and in almost every house one had been deposited, but the priest has burned them, except a few, which have escaped, and which seem to have been read with fruit; I had some encouraging conversations there. We desire to go and see that.

gentleman, for, they tell us, he is a man much esteemed and who has perhaps heard the voice of the Son of God. The priests have in general little influence, and a terrible incredulity reigns in this land; however, our sales have been rather numerous, particularly those of tracts. I think those proving the truth of Christianity and stirring up the slumber. ing consciences should be chosen for this people. We found two school. masters, who are, I believe, near the kingdom of heaven, &c.

"Some days ago I went into an ironfoundry; as soon as I told them what kind of books I had, and spoke to them of the name of Jesus, before whom every knee shall bow, I heard them call from all sides, No, we do not want your gospel, the priests have long enough deceived us. They assembled round me and said horrible things, which I forbear to write. And who was I, poor worm, to resist these people. I felt my feebleness and lifted up my heart to Him, who is a sure refuge. The Lord put his sword in my hand, I took my Bible, and showed them that the Gospel is not from the priest, but from the Lord, and I read them some portions. They got more and more enraged, and one called out, that they should throw me into the oven, and was on the point of beating me. But a Lutheran, who till then had kept silence, called out: all this man says, is very true, I believe it. Then he took me away, after having addressed a few words to the one, who had blasphemed; he seemed confused, and I was affected, in reflecting on the state of those poor souls. I was how ever much cheered in hearing from outside these same workmen reading aloud and in great silence a tract I had given them before leaving, and a short time after that same man who had spoken against God went to the brother who accompanied me, and bought a New Testament. O! let us pray without ceasing that God may grant his Spirit to these dead bones.

"We intend soon going to Langres, and expect to find there much opposition from the priests, but the Lord is mighty to give victory to his word and to destroy error. In our days the Church of Rome is like the Philistines before the little band of Saul, who destroyed themselves.

"The much talked of unity of the church is now an empty word. In one village the priest defends the reading of God's word, in the neighbouring village he recommends it. I passed through a very interesting village, where the old priest had distributed many New Testaments, and the preaent priest, defends the reading of them. I visited lately 35 large parishes. "There are near this place two families well inclined toward the Gospel; the one is Catholic, the other Protestant from Zurich; to the latter I lent a New Testament till I can give him a Bible he desires to buy.—In another village, I also met the last week a Jew who is near the kingdom of heaven; he has bought a New Testament and some tracts; he wishes to possess a New Testament in Greek; I believe he is a rabbi.

5.-EXTRACT FROM A LETTER OF FELIX NEFF.

The following brief extract is from a letter of the excellent Felix Neff late pastor in the High Alps. It is so concise and yet so much to the point on a subject on which too many have fatally split that we have deemed it of sufficient, interest for insertion in the Calcutta Christian Observer.

On the impropriety of pious persons marrying individuals of gay or even doubtful character.

With regard to P. G. I acknowledge that he has lost much of my esteem since he has had the weakness to take a wife from amongst the VIII.

N