CHAPTER IX.

Neff's extraordinary influence over his Flock-How obtainedHis improvements introduced into the condition of the Alpines -Their wretched state previously to his arrival-Proposes to himself the example of Oberlin-The Aqueduct―The Christian Advocate-Neff a teacher of Agriculture.-Neff at the Fair of St. Crepin-Observations.

TIME and eternity will show, whether the pastor of the high Alps had such a blessing upon his labours, as enabled him to produce a lasting impression upon the minds of those simple mountaineers, who devoted themselves with such impulsive ardour to the cause of the Gospel. His full usefulness will be known in that glorious day when the number of God's elect shall be completed. It is certain, however, that his influence over them was something quite extraordinary. This influence would have been less a matter of wonder, had he resorted to any of those extravagances, which too often succeed by turning the heads of the ignorant and fanatical. But it was not so: the whole course of his ministry was sustained by the same even and sober piety: his preaching was forcible, and faithful to the doctrine of redemption through a crucified Saviour; but never solicited attention

by stirring up the wild passions, or vain-glorious and fond conceits of his hearers. He made no use of those arts by which " silly women," and silly men are led captive. His Journals make us fully acquainted with his doctrine, his manner of life, his purpose, his faith, his long-suffering, his charity, and his patience; and to these virtues, the influence, which he obtained, must be attributed in a very great degree.

Neff was not merely the Sabbath day minister and instructor: nor was he the religious guide only. He was every thing to his mountaineers he interested himself warmly in all their concerns, and when they saw that his sole object, and unwearied endeavour was to make them happier, and better in all the relations of life, than he found them, he bowed their hearts, as the heart of one man, and they reverenced the Mentor, who was always busy in adding to their stock of comfort'. Like the philosopher with the shipwrecked

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By evincing a sincere interest in their concerns, I would endeavour to gain their confidence, and induce them to regard me as their friend: and then having once obtained this confidence, and a proportionate degree of influence, I would exert it to the utmost of my ability to their advantage, both in the instruction of the young, and the conversion of the old, seeking to win their affections by my earnest desire to promote their spiritual interests. If you adopt this method, my dear friend, God will take care of the rest." Stouber's Advice to Oberlin. Memoirs of Oberlin, p. 71.

crew, in the uninhabited island, his example, his contrivances, his persuasions, his suggestions, were ever leading the way to some new improvement in their condition. He taught them to improve their dwelling, to cultivate their lands to greater advantage, to employ time profitably and agreeably that had previously hung heavy upon their hands, and to find occupation and amusement in numberless resources, of which they had no conception till his arrival among them. He was their schoolmaster in short, not only to bring them unto Christ, but to instruct them in whatever was useful and advantageous. They saw that he had their best interests at heart and the current of their affections naturally flowed towards him, in the full tide of confidence and veneration.

The natives of Val Fressinière had, perhaps, greater reason than the rest of his flock, to attach themselves most affectionately to their pastor, for finding them in a more forlorn condition than the others, he did more for them in the way of general improvement. Their persevering fidelity to the faith and discipline of their ancestors, when their nearest neighbours, the inhabitants of Val Louise had been exterminated, and when the people of Val Queyras had conformed outwardly to the religion of Rome, had cut them off so effectually from all human society', during a long

1 I transcribe the following edict of Louis XII. in proof of

period of time, and from all the conveniences of civilized life, that on Neff's arrival at Dormilleuse, he found them the same half-barbarous tribe, which De Thou represented them to be 250 years before. One proof of their utter wretchedness affected him sensibly. Long habits of suspicion, and the dread of ill-treatment, had become so natural to them, that at the sight of a stranger, they ran into their huts, particularly the young people, like marmots into their holes. Their houses, clothes, food, and method of cultivation, were four or five centuries behind the rest of France, and to this hour, after all his exertions to ameliorate their state, if a stranger could be carried asleep to their village, on waking he never

the unmerited sufferings of the Protestants of this region, when the iron hand of their oppressors lay most heavy upon them.

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'Lewis, by the grace of God, king of France.

"Forasmuch as it is come to our knowledge that the inhabitants of Fressinière have endured great troubles, vexations, and punishments, we, desiring to relieve them, and to cause their property to be restored to them, do, by these presents, command all those that retain such property, to restore it without delay. And in case of refusal or delay, we, having regard to their poverty and misery, and inability to obtain justice, will take cognizance thereof in our own person, warning all those who shall continue to do them wrong, to appear before us. Given at Lyon, the 12th of October 1501."

This was after the celebrated papal bull of 1487, when the Protestants of Val Fressinière were pursued like wild beasts, and had their property confiscated.

would believe that he was in the land of civilized Frenchmen. The pastor had to begin with first principles, and in this his scientific knowledge, and the systematic rules of command and obedience, in which he had himself been so well schooled in the garrison at Geneva, came seasonably to his help. He knew how to set about arranging and giving directions.

His first attempt was to impart an idea of domestic convenience. Chimneys and windows to their hovels were luxuries to which few of them had aspired, till he showed them how easy it was to make a passage for the smoke, and admittance for the light and air. He next convinced them that warmth might be obtained more healthily, than by pigging together for six or seven months in stables, from which the muck of the cattle was removed but once during the year. For their coarse and unwholesome food, he had, indeed, no substitute; because the sterility of the soil would produce no other; but he pointed out a mode of tillage, by which they increased the quantity; and in cases of illness, where they had no conception of applying the simplest remedies, he pointed out the comfort which a sick person may derive from light and warm soups and ptisans, and other soothing assistance. So ignorant were they of what was hurtful or beneficial in acute disorders, that wine and brandy were no unusual prescriptions in the height of a raging fever.