EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCE. which Rome has at heart to teach in Spirit have been subordinated and sacrificed our daye.

to a mortal creature? Have we not under You will doubtless be curious to know in our eyes the most striking proofs of this what terms this clerical publication speaks idolatry? of the Virgin, of her privileges, and her DEATH OF A PROTESTANT ARMY CHAPLAIN. acts. I will give some extracts verbatim I wrote to you (Evangelioal Christendom, from a single number. “Mary is the p. 224) that Protestant chaplains had volunsovereign of earth and heaven, the eldest tarily offered themselves to carry to our daughter of the Most High. God associated soldiers during the campaign in Italy the her in his thought at the creation of the consolations of their holy ministry. Inforworld, to which she was to bring salvation. mation from different quarters had conWe ought to love Mary more than all other vinced us that this work of brotherly love creatures together, more than ourselves, has been abundantly blessed. New Testamore than our own life. Mary was already ments, religious tracts by thousands, have known in all the ancient traditions of been circulated in the ranks of the French paganism. She came into the world to regiments. There was a remarkable concombat Satan, to conquer, and overthrow trast between the labours of the chaplains him. All the texts in the Proverbs and of the two communions. The priests disthe Song of Solomon which speak of tributed among their soldiers chaplets, the Eternal Wisdom, refer to Mary. In medals of the Virgin, charms of all sorts. the order of Divine appointments

, as Our pastors encouraged their co-religionists Jesus possesses the

first place among to read the Word of God and to pray. men, Mary occupies the first among wo- In the military hospitals, these chaplains men. Jesus is their Redeemer, and Mary have been received without difficulty, their co-redeemer (a barbarous word to ex- thanks to the protection of Marshal Ranpress a blasphemous doctrine). What was don, Minister of War, who belongs himself the joy of all the angels at the birth of to the Protestant religion. The nuns, or Mary, who came to redress so efficaciously Sisters of Charity, whose office it was to the ills of humanity, to open heaven to so tend the wounded, saw with displeasure many souls by her merciful protection, and these heretics uttering prayers by the bedrescue millions of sinners from the abyss of side of the sick ; but they durst not and șin! The unhappy children of Adam had could not shut the doors against them. been awaiting Mary for four thousand years! We have cause, therefore, to bless the Benighted travellers, she is the benignant Lord for our share in this enterprize. But star which conducts you to the end of your sad tidings have just been published by our journey; wretched captives, Mary comes Protestant press. M. Vallette, president to break your chains, and to restore to you of the commission relative to the chaplains, the liberty of the children of God; poor writes: “M. Muntz, that faithful servant exiles, she will bring you back to your of Christ, whose last letter testified his country, to the feet of your Heavenly peace and joy in the service of the Lord by Father; ye poor, Mary will be your sup- our sick and wounded soldiers, died of an port; ye afflicted, your consolation; sinners, attack of apoplexy, at Milan, on the 2nd of your refuge. Mary is our mother in all | August." things !"

During the war in the Crimea, two of This is enough. The authors of this our chaplains, MM. Chardon and Babut, journal justify fully their motto, “ All for paid with their life the noble devotion with Mary! 'nothing without Mary! This is which they carried to the dying soldiers their religion, their faith, their worship, the word of the Gospel. Now a third their hope. Christianity has given way victim has fallen at his post, which merits completely to Mariolatry. If this were the also to be called the field of honour. M. work of some obscure fanatics, it would Muntz, a Lutheran pastor, was a faithful inspire us simply with pity. But the and zealous minister of Christ. He had Rosier de Marie is, I repeat, authorised, joyously suspended his peaceful functions sanctioned, recommended by the votes of as a country pastor at the voice of duty. the episcopacy; and represents a notable He has departed this world in the accomportion of the Romish clergy of France. plishment of his task. The name of Muntz How then dare the apologists of the Ponti- will not figure in the pompous bulletins of fical Church accuse Protestants of calumny, our victories ; but we have the assurance when we say that, in this degenerate com- that it was inscribed in the Book of Life. munion, the Father, the Son, and the Holy The Protestant Churches of France may VOL. XII. SEPTEMBER.

D D

CENTRAL

SOCIETY

EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCE. glory in having produced men of such faith from its commencement such excellent and love.

fruit, may again pursue its course in peace ORDINATION OF MISSIONARIES. under the blessing of the Lord. An affecting ceremony took place last The thirteenth report of month in the church of the “Oratoire," at THE

PROTESTANT EVANGELISATION Paris. Twenty pastors or ministers of the Gospel, belonging to different ecclesiastical has been recently published. It contains denominations, but united in the same con- interesting details of the progress of the victions and the same hope, were present. Gospel in our land. In vain the priests The object of the meeting was to ordain and the magistrates, to whom they commutwo students of the Mission House, on the nicate their intolerant spirit, raise obstacles, eve of their departure for the South of sometimes in arbitrarily closing the doors Africa. MM. Mabile and Garmond (these of a chapel, at others, in hindering the are the names of the new missionaries) have foundation of a school; the zeal and persegone through a solid course of study, which verance of the servants of God are stronger has the better qualified them to proclaim, than the malice of men. in those distant countries, the good news of The Central Committee, established at salvation. Their faith and piety inspired Paris, has several auxiliary societies in the perfect confidence in the committee. North of France, Normandy, the Centre,

Pastor Frederic Monod implored the South and West, Béarn, &c. Not having blessing of God on the object of the meet- space to analyse this long report, I will ing. Then M. Casalis, Director of the In- cite only some facts relative to the section stitution of Missions, who has himself of Northern France; they will give an idea passed twenty years in the interior of the of the rest. Cape of Good Hope, gave the young candi- The Evangelist of Crevecæur writes: “It dates some counsels dictated by his own is a great joy to those who take an interest experience; all the assembly was interested in the advancement of the kingdom of our and edified by this discourse. At length, Saviour, to be able to testify, from their after a few words from one of the mis. own observation, how, in a locality where sionaries, Pastor Grandpierre offered a formerly ignorance and incredulity reigned, touching prayer, to consecrate these new a great number of souls have come to know labourers to the Lord. MM. Garmond and Christ, and are faithful to His Word. Mabile then left for London in company Having been for four years at the head of with M. Casalis, and they have just em. this flock, I can speak upon good grounds. barked for their destination.

The work strengthens and widens. Our May they find beyond the seas stations converted brethren are highly esteemed by quiet and sufficiently protected by public the Roman Catholic population.” authority! Our French missions among the Also, at Fresnoy-le-Grand, the pastor tribes of Southern Africa have been exposed writes, that morality has made remarkto painful trials. After the revolution of able progress, eren among those who have 1848, the receipts sensibly declined, not declared themselves for the Evangelical the Mission-house at Paris had to be faith. General opinion is more serere on closed from motives of economy, and con- certain acts. Family life takes the place of sequently no new labourers could go to life in the public-house, and the Sabbath is sustain their weary brethren. At length, more and more respected. when this storm had passed, sanguinary At Illies, a village near Lille, the followtroubles broke out among the Boors, ing has taken place :

Boors, ing has taken place: “One Sunday," or old Dutch colonists, and the na- says the pastor, our young people had tives. One or two stations, previously come to Church in their finest clothes. It flourishing, were entirely devastated and was the féto of the village. They intended burnt. The converts with their pastor to go to the ball, and to follow the multiwere obliged to take refuge among arid tude. But prayer and meditation on the mountains, carrying with them nothing Word of God made such an impression but their Bibles. These deplorable scenes upon them, that all together they went to have occurred within the last two years. lay aside their decorations, and assembled at The wise and firm intervention of the a third religious meeting.' English Government has re-established Such are the effects of Christian preachpeace; but great losses have been sustained ing. God grant that they may one day by our missionaries and their flocks. Let embrace the whole of France ! us hope that this work, which has borne

X. X. X.

EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCE.

SWITZERLAND.

ORDINATION IN THE CHURCH OF THE ORATOIRE, GENEVA. Up to the present year, the students of view from which we have considered the the Theological School of Geneva, founded subject. by the Société Erangélique, received ordina- "And first, as to the nature of ordination, tion in the countries where they were to we conceive it to be the duty of all Chrisexercise their ministry ; this year several tians to make known the Gospel according students assigned weighty motives induc- to the gifts they have received; and ing them to request that they might be though we are clearly of opinion that God ordained at Geneva; and their request has has instituted offices in His Church which been complied with. There were, in fact, ought not to be suppressed, we do not refour who desired this belonging to four gard ordination as designed to form a caste different countries-M. Ruffet, from the in the Church, a special hierarchy of clergy Canton de Vaud ; M. Pronier, of Geneva; and priests. M. Vernier, from France; and M. Duclos, “But the following appears to us to be from Canada.

involved in ordination according to the Their ordination took place in the Word of God :Oratoire, on Lord's-day, June 26, at two "There is, then, in the first place, an o'clock, in presence of a large congregation. institution which is founded upon the Fourteen ministers and professors of theology sacred Scriptures, according to which we connected with the Churches to which the find the imposition of hands given in diffecandidates stand related were present at rent cases to the Lord's servantsman insti.

the solemnity ; and among them one from tution of so much importance, that St. Paul · Africa, and one from the French Protestant says to Timothy (1 Eph. v. 22), ' Lay hands • Church of Canada. M. Testat, pastor at suddenly on no man;' and elsewhere (Heb.

Orbe, Canton de Vaud, presided. He called vi. 1, 2), speaking of principles which are on Pastor Sibleyras to offer prayer; and said to lie at the foundation, the Scripture then Pastor Moroy made a statement of the places laying on of hands with the doctrines circumstances which had led to the service, of repentance, faith towards God, baptisms, and of the examination of the candidates on of the resurrection of the dead, and of the preceding evening by the Ordination eternal judgment. In the second place, in Conference. He stated, that the Church in this act, a testimony is given to the subject which M. Ruffet was about to exercise his of it by those who perform it, that they ministry, having recognised the spiritual | acknowledge him to be distinguished by gifts bestowed upon him, and having in a purity of doctrine, by piety, by knowledge, general assembly expressed their desire to by prudence, by the calling of and the receive him as their pastor, and that he capacity necessary to a minister of Christ. should be ordained at Geneva, the General Lastly, in the imposition of hands there is Committee of the Société Erangélique, with an appeal to the Most High, a solemn and which the Church had communicated, re- efficacious prayer, if it is offered in faith, ferred the matter to the ministers and desigred to bring down upon the candidate theological professors of the school ; and he and upon his ministry the blessings of the then read their reply. As this reply is an Head and Saviour of the Church, by the exposition of principles, we lay it before communications of His Holy Spirit. our readers :

“If we are asked who are called to perTHE THEOLOGICAL FACULTY TO THE GENERAL form this act, we reply, If the servant of COMMITTEE

God about to be ordained is to be engaged “Geneva, May 6, 1859. in missionary work, whether among pagan “Gentlemen and dear Brethren, - At your nations or elsewhere, his ordination should meeting of the 14th of March, you invited take place by the care of those who send the ministers of the Gospel, who are mem- him forth. Thus we find, in Acts xiii., bers of the Committee, to be pleased to or- that Paul and Barnabas, when they were dain M. Ruffet, who had received a call from setting out upon their first work of evangethe Church at and you charged the lisation, received the laying on of hands directors of the school to take cognisance of from the teachers and prophets at Antioch. the matter. We feel it to be our duty to We think, then, that if the Société Evanmake you acquainted with the point of gelique of Geneva sends forth an evangelist

EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCE.

EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCE.

SPAIN.
IMPRISONMENT OF A BIBLE COLPORTEUR.

,

We have had letters lying before us for our readers with some of his statements, some time past detailing the circumstances but perhaps it is better, odious and disgustof the apprehension and imprisonment of ing as the literalities are, that they should an agent of the British and Foreign Bible be made known. He says, for example, Society while engaged in selling the sacred that he is not only surrounded with sin and Scriptures, and one letter written by him- sorrow, but with filth and with “myriads self from his prison; but we have refrained of lice, like wild deer.” He is, moreover, from publishing them, as we knew that thrown together with 140 men of the worst efforts were being made to obtain his libera- possible character, one of whom, he says, is tion, which might possibly have been frus- a murderer of no less than four persons; trated, or at least hindered, by publicity. and from them, night and day, he hears Those efforts, however, have not been at- nothing but words of blasphemy, while he tended with success; and in a letter from a is closely watched, lest he should say anyhigh authority in Gibraltar, received a few thing to them on the subject of religion. days ago, we are told that it is now become We learn, also, from one of the letters, the duty of every friend of truth to do what that in a Spanish prison there are no beds, he can to rescue the victim from the horrors and that the rations of food are so bad and of a Spanish prison, and from the terrible so scant that any poor wretch left to himsentence of twelve years of a penal colony self, and without resources, would die to which he is liable.

slowly but surely of starvation. He has, Under these circumstances, we can hesitate therefore, to hire a mattress, and get his no longer to lay the facts before the public. food supplied from without at fabulous Public sympathy and the influence of public i prices. He says himself, that to get a opinion are often found of sufficient potency breakfast or a dinner, or to send a letter to to effect what other means have failed to the consul, or the post, costs him gold. will, as we trust, be elicited by making the is twofold. In the first place it is a viocase known; and the prison doors, as in lation of Spanish law to circulate the another memorable instance, may be opened Scriptures without notes which have the by an agency against which human autho- sanction of the ecclesiastical tribunals: and rity avails nothing.

in the second, all books printed in the Martin Escalante, for that is the name of Spanish language in a foreign country, exthe Christian brother of whom we write, is cept some dictionaries and scientific works, a British subject, and a member of the are absolutely prohibited, and all traffic in Wesleyan Church at Gibraltar. He was them is contraband. The Bibles he was sent in the month of May last to visit some employed to distribute and sell, were those Spanish fairs, held about that time in of Scio's text, of course without notes, acseveral towns of Andalusia, to sell copies cording to the Bible Society's rule, and of the Bible in his capacity of colporteur. printed in this country. He had proceeded about forty miles towards It will be seen at once in what light the Cadiz (as far, that is, as Vejer de la Fron- Spanish authorities would look at the case. tera), when he was apprehended, and his It will of course be alleged that the question stock of Bibles taken from him. This oc- is not at all one of religion, or, properly, of curred on the 3rd of May. He was placed the Bible, but simply of smuggling contrain a dark, damp, lock-up, a literal "black band goods. And no doubt this renders hole,” till the 6th, when he was marched it all the more difficult to be dealt with by to the prison at Chiclana, thirty miles British consuls, or the British Government. Dearer Cadiz, and about ten miles from Being, however, a British subject, he that city. Here he spent eighteen days in applied for the protection of the British a cold, damp dungeon, and suffered much Consul at Cadiz; and his friends at Gibraltar from fever. He was finally removed to the have brought the case under the notice of prison at Cadiz. There is but little to the Governor of that place and of the British choose in a Spanish prison, and that which Minister at Madrid ; hitherto, however, as he now occupies is loathsome in the ex- we have stated, with no success. They treme. We almost shrink from offending applied, also, to have him bailed, but this