c-7 An - " ^ " ■ '" ■'^- 1 ip , Ac c o uat Persecution- o: " ----,-;t- in Frrnce Since tlio a. su..x< ^"^ Louis XVJII BX y4^4 .Db Committee of Dissenting Preachers. An authentic account of the persecution of the AN AUTHENTIC ACCOUNT OF THE PERSECUTION OF THE PROTESTANTS IN FRANCE, SINCE THE RESTORATION OF LOUIS XVIII. FIRST COMPILED AND PUBLISHED BY A RESPECTABLE BODY OP DlSa SENTING CLERGYMEN IN LoNDON. Circular addressed by the Committee of Dissenting Preachers to their Brethren, WILIilAMS' LIBRARY, RED CROSS STREET, SIR, London, Nov. 28, 1815. Alarmed and afflicted as we have been for seve- ral months past, by reports of the revival of religious intole- rance and Catholic persecution against the professors of the Reformed Religion in France, we are persuaded that you must have participated all our sentiments and emotions, to the full extent of your information. We have, however, thought it due to ourselves, and to the general interests of Truth, that we should neither communicate with you, nor adopt any public proceeding, without mature reflection, and after a careful investii^ation of the reality and extent of those evils, the existence of which we had too much reason to apprehend. During the present month, we have been occupied in collecting intelligence from numerous private sources, and in authenticating the details which have appeared in the journals, and other minor publications. The result is melancholy indeed, — since we have ascertained, with a pre- cision too accurate for our wishes nnd hopes, that, for a long period, our Protestant Brethren have been exposed to merci- less persecution, by the agents of a despotic aud cruel fanati- cism. With such facts before us, as Protestant Dissenters, and the descendants of men who achieved the liberties of Britain, and diffused through Europe th^ most enlightened principles, we could not mistake in deciding, that it wa? our duty to give a distinct and public expression of our sentiments — to use our influence with the Government of our own country — and to denionslrate lo our distressed bretliren in France, our sympathy and regard, by contributing, according to our ability, for tlieir temporal relief. Under this conviction, an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Ministers of the Three Denominations was convened on Tuesday, November ^Ist, at the Library in Red Cross Street. On this occasion, nearly one hundred Ministers as- sembled ; and, after long and solemn deliberation, they deter- mined unanimously to adopt the Resolutions which are an- nexed ; and to appoint a Deputation, consisting of the Rev. Robert Asplar:d, the Rev. M;irk Wilks, the Rev. William Newman, and the Rev. Thomas Morgan, the Librarian and Secretarj^ to confer with his Majesty's Government, and to request their good offices with the Court of France for the liberty and protection of the Reformed. The Conference was obtained on Saturday, November 25; and the strongest assu- rances were given by the Earl of Liverpool of the deep regret experienced by the Ministers of his Royal Highness the Prince Regent', at the horrid scenes which have been lately witnessed in France, and of their disposition to use their ut- most eiforts for the support of the freedom of religious faith and worship. Tile Report of the Deputation was communicated at a Meeting summoned for this day, Nov 28 ; and the satisfaction it afibrded, you will learn from the Resolutions which followed. It was also intimated, that since the former Meeting, an Or- donnance had been issued by the French King, occasioned by an assault on a Catholic Officer at Nismes, which we hope will be obeyed, and prove the commencement of vigorous nwn- sures on the pari of the French Government, for the pi;niih- ment of those who have so long massacred the Prolt-^tants with impunity. While, however, the churches and habitations of our fellow Protestants are ravaged and destroyed — while many pastors are without asylum — and without bread — and others, long in arrears for their salaries, are doubtful whether they shall not be compelled, for mere subsistence, to quit their country, or to exchange the ministry for some secular and less offensive profession — and, while many wandering relicts of the victims of an infuriate bigotry, are destitute of the most common alle- viation to their complicated miseries, — we feel that we should be equally unworthy of the inheritance of our fathers' name — of the esteem of Christians of all denominations — of the re- spect of posterity — and of the favour of the Almighty, were we not tocontril ute ourselves, and to request your contribu- tions also, as early as convenient, lor the relief and support of those, of whose offences we are guilty, but whose calamities we have happily escaped. We do not doubt that our prompt and decisive efforts will meet your approbation ; and that you and your congregation will feel that, in inviting you to remit to the Committee the amount of your collection, we have acted with propriety and respect. We hope, aleo, that the early, liberal, and firm conduct of the Protestant Dissenters, will excite the efforts ol others — will arrest the progress of superstition and tyranny — will alle- viate the sufferings, and i-ecure the liberties of a large proj)or- tion of the human race : and will preserve for future genera- tions the example of our principles and character. We purj)0se rery speedily to supply you with authentic de- tails of the miseries, which we request you to relieve; and, in the mean time, we shall be thankful to you for the circulation of the contents of this letter among the Ministers in your neighbourhood, with whose names and address we may possi- bly not be provided, but which we should be happy to receive. Future arrangements will ensure the wise and faithful appli- cation of the Funds, and furnish you with full particulars; and, requesting that all your communications, inquiries, and remit- tances, may be forwarded to the Library, Red Cross Street, We remain your affectionate Brethren, THE COMMITTEE. (Signed) Thomas Morgan, Librarian and Secretary/. RESOLUTIONS. Library, Red Cross-Street, Tuesday, Nov. 21, 1815. AT AN EX rRAORDlNARY MEETING of the General Body of the Protestant Dissenting Ministers of the Three Denominations, summoned to take into consideration " The propriety of apjdying to his Majesty's Government to inter- pose their good otiices with the Government of France, for the Protection of the French Protestants who appear to be suffering the most violent and inhuman persecution on ac- count ol their attachment to that Religion, in the defence of which our Forefathers shed their blood," Rev. D. TAYLOR in the Chair: It was unammously Resolved, 1. Tliat we have harned from our holy religion, and from happy experience, that liberty of con^^cience and of religious worship is one of the best blessings of the Almighty Creditor. 2. That enjoying this inestimable blessing ourselves, through the signal mercy of Divine ProTidence, and the equity and liberality of the Legislature and Government of these Realrasj we cannot but desire its universal extension. 3. That we are prompted by the liveliest sympathy to take an interest in the condition of our Protestant Brethren on the Continent of Europe, whose fathers, in concert with our own, at the period of the Reformation, recovered the precious rights of conscience at the expense of their property and lives. 4. That we had hoped, from the experience of the inefficacy, impolicy, and impiety of persecution, and from the spread of knowledge throughout Europe, that the time was at length come when religious liberty was universally acknowledged to be the inalienable birth-right of every human being. 5. That we have learned, with astonishment and grief, the state of our Protestant Brethren in the South of France, who are suffering under the horrors of persecution — their dwellings and property ravaged or consumed, numbers of them driven into exile, their pastors silenced, their temples shut up, their children dragged from the arms of their parents, in order to be re-baptized according to the Roman Catholic ritual, and whole families brutally massacred. 6. That our surprir^e and horror, at these merciless deeds, are aggrravated by the recollection that the present Govern- ment of Frr.nre has been in a great measure restored and sus- tained by British treasure, British valour, and British blood ; — exertions and sacrifices, which his Majesty's Government has avowedly made for the promotion and preservation of the pence, independence, and happiness of all Europe, and which must be considered as made in vain, if our French Protestant brethren be not protected by the restored Government of France, from the fury of savage persecutors, whether single or combined. 7. That we are not uninformed, that the events which we behold with so much concern and alarm, are attempted to be acco^micd for and excused by the state of political parties in France — but that whilst, as Ministers of Religion, we hold it a sacred duty to stand aloof from all political factions, whether at home or abroad ; we cannot suffer this pretext to deaden our sympathy uitb our suffering Protestant Brethren — because the history of persecution in all ages shows, that persecutors have done homag-^ to liberty and charity, by disguising their cruelty imdf i- political pretences — and because, in the present instance, it apiJears that the Protestants of France have been, and are, as ' iuch divided in their political opinions and predilections a? any other body of Frenchmen — that the rage of the perse- cuvoi- has been directed against Protestants without distinc- ti' 1 , and that Protestants only appear to be the objects of their unchristian resentment and vengeance. 3. That the British Government has often distinguished it- self by using its |iower and iudueuce, with due respect lo the independence of other nations, on behall of the injured and oppressed for conscience sake, — and that the august House of Brunswick have been justly and honourably considered, from the era of their hn(>py accession to the 'I'hroue ot these Realms, as the Protectors of the Protestant interest of Europe. 9. That it a, -pears to us, that never was there a more ursent call lor the interposition of the Government ol the United Kingdom, than in the present instance, when perj-ecution is raging in France against such as hold the same religious IVith -which is professed by Britons, and that undtr the reign of a Monarch, who owes his restoration — to the supreme power — to the energy — valour and perseverance ol the arms of this Pro- testant Empire. 10. That on these grounds a deputation be appointed to re- present our sentiments to his Majesty's Government, and to express our confidence that the Ministers of his Royal tiigh- ness the Prince Regent will employ their good offices with (he Court of France, in obtaining for our sufiering Protestant Bre- thren immediate relief and permanent security. 11. That such Deputation consist of the Rev. Robert As- plaml, the Rev. Mark Wilks, the Rev. William Newman, and ^ he Rev. Thomas Morgan, Librarian and Secretary. DAN. TAYLOR, Chairman. 12. That the thanks of this Body be given to the Chairman, for his conduct in the Chair. T. MORGAN, Secretary. Library, Red Cross-Street, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 1815. AT AN EXTRAORDINARY MEETING of the General Body of Protestant Dissenting Ministers ot the Three deno- minations, convened to receive the Report of their Deputa- tion, ap|K)inted on the 21st instant to request an inter view with his Majesty's Government, on th^ subject of the Perse- cution of our Protestant Brethren in France, The Rev. A. REES, D. D. F. R. S. F. L. S. in the Chair ; It was UNANiiMousLY Resolved, 1. That this Meeting receives with the highest gratification the assurances of Jiis Majesty's Government, to the Deputation from this Body ; that they feel the deepest re;£ret at the dread- ful scenes lately witnessed in France, and that they are using, and will continue to use, their best efforts in their communica- tions with the French Government, to secure to all classes of French subjects, whether Protestant or Catholic, the full en- joyment of the advantages which the Constitutional Charter provided for them. 2. That deeply compassionating the case of our French Protestant Brethren, who have been despoiled ol their goods, and deprived ot their houses ol prayer, we recommend it to our Brethren, and our tJongregations throughout the United Kingdom, to raise pecuniary contributions fur the relief of these sufferers for conscience sake. 3. That a Committee of Inquiry, Superintendance, and Dis- tribution, consisting of seven Members ol each Denomination, be appointed to correspond with our Brethren in the country on the subject of the foregoing Resolution, and otherwise to carry the said Resolution into effect. 4. That the following Gentlemen constitute the said Com- mittee : — Rev. Thomas Morgan, William Newman, A. Rees, D.D.FM.S.F.L.S. John Rippon, D. D. George Smalljield, John Pye Smith, D. D. John Townsend, Mexander Waugh, D. D. Mark Wilks, Robert Winter, D. D. Rev. Robert Jspland, John Barrett, Thomas Bekham, George Burder, John Coates, Thomas Cloutt, Frederick A. Cox, A. M. John Evans, A. M. John Hawkesley, Joseph Hughes, A. M. James Lindsay, D, D. 5. That, with the consent of the Trustees of the late Dr. Williams, the Meetings of the Committee be held at the Li- brary, Red Cross Street, where all Communications and Con- trihotions will be received by the Rev. Thomas Morgan, the Librarian and Secretary to the Three Denominations. 6. That publicity be given to these and the foregoing Reso- lutions, under the direction of the Committee. A. REES, Chairman. 7. That the Chairman be requested to accept the Thanks of the Body, for his conduct at this Meeting. THOS. MORGAN, Secretary. The followmg Circular gives a detailed account of the circumstances alluded to in that of the '2Sth JS^ov. Williams' library, red cross-street, SIR, London, Dec. 7,1815. To THOSE who have watched the progress of know- ledge, and have endeavoured to diffuse social and moral hap- piqess through the Continent of Europe, it cannot but be both moiliiyinji; iimI distrtt-sinii: to record the ojttence of lactg, which belong pro|>erly to the most barbarous periods ol its history, and to produce the evidences of a return towards the dominion of those opinions, which have outraged society, and degraded the human race. Truth and benevolence, however, equally demand that we should give publicity to crimes, the perpetration of which indi- cates, that a large proportion of mankirtd is yet unenlightened by wisdom, and uninstructed by experience. The details which, according to our promise, we submit to your perusal and circulation, will, at least, stimulate a spirit of inquiry — rouse the friends of freedom and religion to exertion, • — and excite sympathy and beneficence on behalf of those who endure aggravated suffering in a righteous cause. As we cast our eyes on the face of Europe, we might in- deed remind you of the melancholy situation of Spain, now revisited by a superstitious prince, — an intolerant priesthood, and an infernal inquisition ! — We might present you with a frightful picture of the reascendancy of papal domination, with all its proscriptive terrors, in Italy, and Sicily, and Naples, — and we might produce from Belgium the proofs of a most offen- sive ecclesiastical combination against the rights of conscience and the liberties of human nature ! — But it is our particular design to supply you with accounts of the calamities of France, where, under a government professedly tolerant^ a persecution as cruel and inveterate as ever afflicted the world, has for months spread devastation and death. It may be«*iecessary in general to state, that it is with the greatest difficulty direct information can be obtained from the immediate victims of this detestable bigotry ; and that even Protestants, remote from the scenes of violence, are fearful of hazarding, through the medium of the public posts, those opin- ions and details which their friends in England are so anxious to obtain. Prudence, therefore, has dictated that we should either sup- press altogether the names of our Correspondents, or publish the substance, rather than the letter of their communications. Some of the information which they contain has appeared in print, in other forms; but we have abstained from the publica- tion of all intellisence, of the authenticity of which we have not personal satisfaction. So long ago as the spring of 1814, and the overthrow of the Imperial |)o\ver in France, indications of the revival of an in- tolerant spirit filled the Proiestants with the most lively ap- prehensions. A letter written by a Minister resident in Eng- land, but visiting France at that period, contains the following 8 accurate account : — " The disasters of Napoleon were followed by liis abdication. At tiiat moment I was in tiie principal city of the south of France ; — 1 heard, — I saw, — I trembled for the consequences; I mixed with both parties, and earnest- ly prayed that God would avert the evils I anticipated. — The Protestants naturally sunk into the utmost despondency; ter- ror and alarm filled their breasts. [ heard it from Nismes; I saw and felt it at Toulousej Montauban, and Bourdeaux, and many other places. I know that such was their concern, that they even supplicated inferior officers in the common Restau- rateurs, to use all their influence, through a chain of friends, ttiat their state might reach the Duke ol Wellington, whose head-quarters were then ^t Toulouse, in hopes that, through his representations, the new dynasty might tolerate and pro- tect them. Was it not natural for a people, whose very furni- ture, and libraries, and children, so forcibly reminded them of their persecuted fathers, — was it not natural for them to dread the return of the ancient family to the throne ? Not ! ut that, as a body, they would have cheerfully submitted to their reign, and have respected their laws; but they dreaded the influence of their religion, and the spirit of revenge too likely to be exhibited ! Never did 1 behold fears more operative, op more real. •' The Roman Catholics, on the contrary, manifested the most unbounded joy; — they could sc.ircely confin*^ them>»*'!ves within the bounds of common decency in some p'ace-, parti- cularly at Nismes; but publicly declared, that the Tejnples of the Reformed would be v'losed. and their Preachers silenced, when Louis relnrned! — This, of course, a()plie#to the more bigoted part. — Before Louis arrived at Calais, I saw r letter delivered from Nismes, on the Lord's day, which filled me with horror ; — they then dreaded a massacre, and kept watch night and iiay. A tircuUr letter from Louis, announcing free tole- ration to the Reformed, silenced their fears, — and, in common with every Protestant Mini'^ter in France, I read it with real pleasure t.om the pulpit at Bourdeaux. " 1 si-hould h ng tai-estv befor<* their houses in honour of the host ; — this they nol)ly 'efused, sayir.sr, If we begin to concede in litt!e things, gi ^^er demr. »)r)s will f.dlow. preparatory to a finil subjection. The latter part of Louis's reign last year, sufficiently proved 9 vhe iDfluence of the priesthood, in the processions that filled thp streets with [)omj)Ous ceremonies, to which France had been unaccustomed for 25 years." This state of alarm unhappily continued during the greater part of the former residence of the Bourbons in France. In an Address, published by the Protestants oT Languedoc, it is said, " Accustomed to see no distinction in the treatment of men of different religions, we heard with surprise, what was so new to us, the words Protestant and Catholic used in a hostile sense. We at first regarded these distinctions as transient, and produced by a disordered effervescence, but found too soon that the storm was thickening around us, and that it received an im|)ulse and direction. The Protestants were now openly in- sulted in the streets and public walks: inflammatory songs were circulated, which became daily more violent. Finally, one appeared, in which certain cannibals expressed their ea- gerness to wash their hands in our blood. In the streets and public places, the singers formed circles, in which they enclo- sed the Protestants, whom they cruelly maltreated. The extreme wretchedness, and constant intoxication ol^the subal- tern agents in these disorders, sufficiently proved that they were supported in their criminal enterprises ; and our alarm was accordingly redoubled. " It was then of importance to expel from all public offices, men whose attachment to the established laws, and to liberal principles was known; and the Protestants were therefore re- presented as rebellious subjects, unwilling to submit to the sway of the Bourbons, mindful of ancient persecutions, and apprehensive of new ones. *' Such was the plan invariably acted on in the south during the eleven months that followed the restoration. During this whole period the King's government was in opposition with another active invisible government, more powerful than the former, impeding its progress both at Court and in the pro- vinces." This statement is confirmed by our private accounts, and even such were the fears of the Protestants, that when it was resolved to introduce the plan of education diffused by the British and Foreign School Society, the Reformed Ministers were alarmed lor the late of the attempt; and in letters re- ceived at that time, they thus express their leelings : *' We approve your measures, and long for their success ; but we tremble. In England it is thought that the Catholics here are candid, but we unhappily know better, and have many fears; they only wait the iavourable opportunity, and we therefore know not what to scv about beginning the plan of educa- «on.» B w Thus de2;radetl and exposed, having before them only a choice of evis, it is not surprising that they shouhi have adopted that which appeared least pregnant with calamity, and hnve received back, without resistance, their former Ruler and Protector. The terra of his political power was short and disastrous, and the return ot the Bourbons to the throne, with an over- whelming (orce, presented a favourable opportunity to those who, under pretence of loyalty to the King, thirsted for re- venge and the destruction of the Protesiants. From the period of ihis event, which happened in the month of June, to the present time, wiJh only occasional and treach- erous intervals of seeming trantjuiility; the southern provinces have been the theatre of proscriptions, arrests, [)illage, con- flagration, obscene and furious assaults, and organized and bru- tal massacres. The sanctuaries of the Reformfd have been closed, dilapidated, or consumeun necessary to popular fury. Such houses were selected as pre- sented the richest booty. The rapacity of the populace being glutted, the next thing to be cons^idered was the satisfaction of the principal agents, who took no share in the general pil- lage, and in which they even assumed the air of disinterested- ness. The troofjs were divided into small bodies. Some were distributed among th^ houses of the Protestants, who, after a [)reliminHry pillage, were allowed to ransom the re- mainder of their property, in order to save it from destruction. Such was the treatment experienced for the space of two months by the inhabitants of Nismes and the surrounding cities. The immense sums obtained by this system became the prey of the principal agents, who permitted their subal- terns to seize the linen, furniture, and all the inferior booty. This band, which was most obedient in the execution of mis- t 12 cLief, daily merited the indulgence of- their chiefs by a tew assaii-?inations to lorm an excuse lOr {ilunder. " The attempt to appease party spirit and substitute the re'gu of the law to that of anarchy, has completely laiied; for, when [)uhlic declarations were required, only confidential letters were written; and words were used, wtien arn^s aione could have been efficacious. " From this combination of different actions, a series of in- supportable woes has resulted to the Protestants. " At Uzes, they were tried and executed by the populace, as if the 2d of September, 1792, had been renewed. The streets, public places, and roads of Nismes daily presented new- victims; all the country around these two untortunate cities exhibits a dreadtul picture of desolation. " The Protestants of Gard had no other alternative for es- caping persecution, thnn to fiy from their country, as in the days of the Medecis and the Maintenons. It might have been su|)|>osed that the edict of Nantes had Just been revoked. But let us look back to even more terrinle periods! Who has not heard the town of Nismes resound with these frightful cries : The King has proscribed all the Protestants ! — He wishes to rid France cf them ! — Let us have another St. Bartholomew ! Were not the bloody ])reparations lor re- acting that horrible mas-acre begun ? Thus, after having assassinated in detail, ia order to reap at leisure all possible advantage from the crime, they wished to exterminate in mass all the lower orders ol the people, who were destitute of the means of purchasing their lives." Private letters from Ministers, and other respectable indivi- duals, well known to their Correspondents, confirm the truth and heighten the horror of these facts. One of the Reiormed Pastors, in a letter dated August, says to his friend, — " 1 am persuaded that, notwithslandina" your silence, you w ill not refuse to render any service in your power to the poor Protestants in France. Ever since the return of Louis, they have not ceased to insult them. They think they may assassinate us, in order to enjoy our property. In such a manner is the spirit of Belial manifesting itself, that a second scene of !?t. Bartholomew is not impossible — certainly among many it is eagerly desired Ttrt: Bourbons know not how^ TO REFUSE ANY THING TO THE Priests. They begin by asking (or an extirpation of heresy — they w ill finish by obtain- ing it — and we shall be ruined." Another Minister writes, in the same mouth : — *' Since the restoration of the King, we have been very much insulted. The Priests set the mob on us, which makes our situation exceedingly unpleasant." And two successive communications, from a person of considerable eminence, contain the following melancholy particulars : — 13 " We receive very afflicting news from the Soutb of France. The Catholics and the Protestants are much intliinied, the one against the other. Politics is the pretext, but it is Religion which is the real motive. In Nismes, thirty-two Protestant houses have been pillaged by the Catholics. May God pre- serve us Irom civil war!" *' Affairs go on badly in the South. The Protestants are cruelly persecuted. Thousands have been forced to fly from the town of Nismes, and take refuge in the mountains. The fanatical populace has pill.iged the houses of the greater part of them, and burnt the Protes- tant temples. We have since heard that six hundred Pro- testants have perished at Nismes, and that sixteen thousand have fled to the mountains of the Cevennes, where the moun- taineers, who are Protestants, have resolved to avenge their cause against the barbarous Catholics. The Catholics have two objects in view : plunder is one, as the Protestants at Nismes are industrious and rich ; and a strong inveteracy against the religion of the Protestants, is the other, which has been restrained from breaking out since tlie first expulsion of the Bourbons- " At length, on the first of September, a Proclamation was issued by the King, on the disturbed state of the Southern Provinces; but instead of producing tranquillity, and procur- ing safety for the Protestants,— their churches have continued to be closed, and massacres have been perpetrated with aug- mented fury. The subjoined extract, demonstrative of this lamentable in- efficiency on the part of the King's government, is taken from a letter received in the month of October. '» Though you will receive this written in a strange hand, I flatter myself you will easily conjecture the motive, and will discover without difficulty the author, by the sentiments and expressions it contains. " Scarcely was Louis arrived the second time in the capital of his kingdom, when wicked persons attempted to foment di- visions between the Catholics and Prptestants, who had, gene- rally speaking, lived in the greatest harmony for many years. They began by spreading false alarms, and asserting that the King would in future suffer no religion but the Roman Catholic to exist in France. You may form an idea of the terror this excited in thousands of families: our children, our property, our churches, and our local comforts, — all, in one single mo- ment, appeared at stake ! Protestants trembled with dark sus- picions concerning their neighbours-^the horrors of assassina- tion, massacre, and expatriation, whether sleeping or waking, were perpetually before our eyes. Superstition and Fanaticism, taking advantage of this alarm^ came forth from the tombsj 14 tvbere, for five-and-fwenty years, they bad been (ioncealeu, and, alas ! were once more permitted, by a mysterious Provi- dence, to re-kindle their expiring torches, and march through the kingdom, spreading terror and devastation on every side. The south of France was soon thrown into the most liorrible confusion, — the old cry of ' Enemies to Church and State^'' was revived, — the Protestants were stigmatized as Bonapartists : and the most abandoned wretches, having branded them with an opprobrious name^ hunted them down w ith unabated cruelty. *' To detail the base ingratitude, gross obscenity, disgusting superstition, and infernal cruelties, practised during this shock- ing attempt to exterminate the Reformed Churches from the soil oi France, would, under present circumstances, be as im- prudent as unavailing. Happy, happy Protestants of your fa- voured land ! No rude, infuriated mob shouts through your streets and villages, 'Give us the blood of the Protestants! — Let us wash our hands in their blood! — Vive la St. Barthelemi!^ Blay you long enjoy those privileges, communicating your principles and piety to every nation under the heavens! " IX is as melancholy as afflicting, to think that, under the reign of a Sovereign so naturally mild as Louis XVIII. and ivithin the reach of so many Protestant Princes, w ho have twice placed the august family of the Bourbons on the throne of Prance, in the nineteenth centhry, s ) many Protestants should have been pillaged and masspcred, and yet the authors of these crimes allowed to triumph with impunity over the bleeding bodies of their innocent victims ! Your countrymen will sym- pathize with and pray for us. We pray, with the martyred Jesus, in whose cause we have suffered, * Father, forgive them, — they know not what they do !' " Many intelligent persons in this country had leng feared, that the influence which the Court of Rome appeared to possess^ would produce some fatal consequences for the Protestant faith in this kingdom. The Caresses of the Pope to our Court have bee^ too flattering and too frequently reiterated not to be mistrusted. The artful politics of the Papal Court have long been welt known : it seeks to gain to-day, those whom it lost by tyranny yesterday." We extract also the following important and afifecting pas- sage, from the letter of a Gentleman connected with the Pro- testant College of Montauban, founded and endowed by the Ex-Emperor: — " Places of worship are shut up through nearly the whole southern Provinces of France. The flourishing Churches of Uzes and Nismes are nearly annihilated. " Although we enjoy comparative tranquillity as citizens, we are nearly certain the Professors of the College cannot long B(AA out. They hare received no salary for nine montitSy and tke titte ■when any part of this may be expected, is very far distant, and sooner or Jater they must look out for other means of suhsistenee, and labour in a less oiiensive profession We have yet much reason to be thankful, that we have been spared to this hour- So many Provinces laid waste ! — So many houses in flames ! — So many of our bl-elhren mercilessly murdered ! — So Tuany pastors without asylum, and without bread ! — Alas ! Alas ! Still let aft adore the incomprehensible, but always wise ways of Providence, with re* signation : let us hope, and let us [)ray !" ^ The scenes of November, if possible, surpass in atrocity all that have pre- ceded. After having submitted to an entire suppression of their religious worsiiip for many months, the attempt to re-open one of the Protestant temples was the signal for an outrageous attack, in which an officer, La Garde, was shot ; and the volunteer soldiers, ordered by him to protect the Protestants from the infuriated mob, joined them ia demolishing the sane- tuary, and in burning the organ and furniture in the public market-place Another Ordonnance has appeared, with the signature of the King ; but the Police, which is so fully competent to the arrest of the objects of po- litical vengeance, has been unable to this hour to detect the murderous wretches whom it denounces, and to gratify whose desires, the places of Protestant worship are again completely closed. The instigators and agents^ these foul transaction* hare united with their successful crimes, an impotent attempt to load the victims of their malice with unfounded calumny ; and while they murder them as Protestants, they proclaim them to the world as Anarchists and Bonnpartist*. To this charge we have directed our enquiries : and the result we give in substance from the letters of Correspondents, eminent for their piety and their vir- tues. '* The pretext for these proceedings," say they, '* is, that they are Bonapartists, It is true that the late Imperial Government did great ser- vice, by a free and faithful protection of the consciences of all, particularly of the Protestants. It founded and endowed their college ; and their worship •was established according to their ancient order and discipline. If the head of that Government did much good in this respect, he did, however, much harm in others ; and thus he alienated the Protestants as well as the Catho- lics. The excesses which followed the first restoration of the King, the can- nibal songs that were sung, and the plan of massacre which appeared to be in agitation, without doubt, contributed to make many regard the return of the Ex-Emperor as a deliverance If improprieties were committed by in- dividuals, punishable by law, Justice required that they should legally visit the guilty, without making the mass of the Protestants responsible. Never were they in rebellion against the supreme power, — neither are they row, thank God, in a time of such oppression for Nismes and other places.'' To the real causes of the continued and unabated persecution of our bre- thren we are directed, by Correspondents equally respectable and enlighten- ed. They say, — «* We find the true causes of these evils ; — First, In the jealousy of the Catholics against the Protestants, who, in consequence of the revolution, were placed on a level with them. — Secondly, In a spirit of revenge ; be- cause at the epoch of the Revolution, when they endeavoured to do what they are now doing, they were kept down and punished by the Protestants. Again : in a desire of piUage. This is a truth which the facts prove to be' authentic. They robbed, ransacked, and burnt ; and have had the impu- dence to come with carts to cany away as booty, goods, corn, and provi- sions, crying, Vive le Roi .' In fine, the troubles have a cause /ore»§-n to all that I have stated.— Time, as many persons believe, will develope the design and the agents of this faction^* 16 The exact number of persons who have fallen victims to this violent spi- rit, impelled by fanaticism, we have not been able to ascertain ; and for the reasons which are given in letters on this subject, *' We dare not travel in these unhappy times, especially as ministers ; ■ nor, arrived at the immediate scenes of outrage, dare we speak freely, and to make enquiries, would be dangerousin the extreme •* We cannot tell how man> have been butchered, because they are im- mediately buried ; and the Protestants, shut up in their houses, cannot go out to iniake enquiries. — Tranquillity must he established, before these af- flicted families can know who of their friends are missing. — But certainly many hundreds have been assassinated." These reasons will also satisfy your mind as to the general difficulty with which we have had to contend in obtaining informatfon, and especially as to the number of Churches that have been despoiled ; but it has come to our knowledge that the Churches of Nismes, Uses, St. Afrique, Pignan, Mon- tagnac, and Cournonteral, with others, have been either plundered or burnt. The recital of the cruelties that have been practised we suppress, as too disgusting for the e^e or the ear of those who are not accustumed to associ- ate with the most degraded of their species; but we shall merely mention, as a specimen, " That furious women, shameless and indecent, have whip- ped Protestant females, in tke public streets, in the most cruel manner." More matter had been prepared, but we must conclude. To argue or entreat, after such ample details, would be to insult those for whom we would express unfeigned respect, and who are especially endeared to us, — by the renewal of evils which remind us of our common origin, and principles, and duties. We shall only express our hope that no insinuations or promises may be suffered to delay or enervate exertions, of the importance of which every day furnishes to our mind increased conviction. We remain your affectionate Brethren, THE COMMITTEE. (Signed) Thomas Morgan, LibraHan and Secreffiry, PHOTOMOUNT PAMPHLET BINDER /^ Monufactured by GAYLORD BROS. Inc. Syracuse, N. Y. Stockton, Calif. ?S°en^,faccou..o. the persecutor Princeton Theological Semmary-Speer Ubrary ; 1 1012 00038 4372 'lir^^