The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1871-11-14 00:00:00

ANNUAL AIMING AT GIAXOESTEI:
STREET.

Too annual tee-meeting of the friends of Gloucester-
street chapel was held on Thursday evening last, in
the sdiaolroom. The tables were attended by the
lady friends, and about 159 much enjoyed the good
provision and company.
After tea the Roy. R. S. Aatirarr gave an acocant of
the Synod of the Free churches of the smith of Fr ince.
and the Rev. J. Sirentoco gave his imprissions of
several visits to Italy and particularly to 1‘0•10.
Too evening was rendered still more ogre:able by •
number of anthems being sung by the choir, wider
the direction°, Mr. T. S. Wallis, who proii fed at the
harmonium. The evening's proceedings wore in the
following order :
T:.° hymn "Como let us join our cheerful songs"
having been sung, the Rev. W. LIMe offered prayr.
The choir very effectively sang the 'Achim "Praise
the Lord, all ye nations." .
The Rev. R. S. Arend" having lately mad° • j iurney
of over 2000 miles, would try to tell something of the
oiled of his journey, and things of inter..st observe'
therein. Some of his dissenting friends got nervous
when he talked about cocluiastilal matters, and some
of his eburoh friends looked on him almost as a fire-
brand ; but let us suppose that there are no church
dift.renoes In England, mid think of the free Protest-
ant churches in FOLOOO. HOFF GLOW those churches to
exist in frivolous France? One of nor ministers went
some years sco to Pare, thinking to do good among the
English, found enquiring Roman Catholics, and insti-
tuted serene' for them. So was formed one of the
largest free churches. Others had Etienne dissatisfie 1
with Romanism, other small free churches were formed,
and in the year of ruvolutiou, they thought they might
boll a synod. Toe first Napoleon, who pretended to
foe their plators, took care they soul I have us fee.'.
dons, and could bold no synod. At the first synod hehl
in Paris, a discussion arose as to whether they should
oomfeis the divinity uf Christ. Soma refined to
confess this, bit others would not join those who
rejected FO important a doctrine, and withdrew from
the synod, and formed a union in 1849. There are
now 40 or 50 churchie in the anion, the object of whicii
is to draw them into greater unity, and stimulate them
In the cause of Christ. They bad synods every too
years; but last year, owing to the disturbed state of
the country, it was deferred to this year, when it was
held at Mastreet, • town on the slope of a hill in the
south of France, with 14,000 inhabitants, onl 4,000
Protestants (imam all rich and piceperous men), and
the most infiaential of the community. The Protest-
ants of France, bevies much wealth in their hands,
are yet in a sal condition, many indifferent to godli-
nese, some deny the divinity of Christ, and others are
indiffaent to the vital truths of the Gospel. whi!e
some who hold evangelise' doctrines are not vary
earned in their propagation. In Matelot, there is a
temple capable of holding 1,500 people, with two
ministers, one learned and devoted, and the other in-
eifferent. The rationalist minister and others like him
have teenaged to get into the onnsistory men who
spend most of their time in the °ales. Si the state of
things in the church is discouraging. In walking up
the long street of the town he searched in vain for
• stationer's shop; but found one at last ia • small
street. Many towns in France are without a book-
seller's shop, and neither Protestants nor Romanist.; are
a reading people, though the Protestants are worthy
and hospitable. The Synod was held in • little chapel,
to the puzzlement of •110 people, who had reldoin seen
so many black coats and white chokers, and who
generally don't understand any other religion than the
National church, and call others Methodists, so that
boys on their passing through the streets would call
after them "Voile le Method* l' cutting the word
"Methodists" short. Al the Synod there were 15)
delegates, who are not allowed their expenses if they
don't arrive in time, and are called to aceount if they
leave before the end. The Synod was o iunnenced by
singing • hymn, residing a simple confession of faith,
then addresses, and then a speech by an canvas
minister on the separation of Church sod State, which
attracted much attention from the lioulanists. Though
the Protestants have liberty in Franco, there lea grow-
ing feeling against them, and on this occasion the
Romsnise were much annoyed, considering that if the
Protestants loose their state salaries, the Romanist"
must also ; but • local newspaper gave the Proteatants
In edit for being more anxious for the good of Unit
country, than tor the separation of Church and State.
The Synod met at 8, and, with intermissions for menbi,
they went on till It or so, and on the last day they
sent on till 3 in the morning, while at 4 the train
started by which they left. The patience of the
people WY extraordinary, sitting packed like herrings
111 • barrel for three or four hours at the evening meet.
logs, though there was not much in many of the speeches,
and, at the meeting he spoke akhe wee very glad when
it WU over. The meetings were characterised by •
very earnest spirit on the part of the ministers and
delegates, all impressed with the wish to raise France
from its present terrible condition. At one very
interesting meeting, Mons. Lonod, who had been at
Sedan, told anecdotes showing that before the battle
even, there was a feeling that France would loose. A
trifling serious was gained by the French, rind he con-
gratulated the soldiers upon it, but one replied, " To-
morrow we shall have the tobacco." Truly to-morrow
the battle began, and they soon found they were
surrounded, and a vlvandiere came in utterly exhausted,
and sank down saying "Poor Franca I' A Z move
COMO along gloriously drunk, shouting" What matters
it tome, whether I WA French or Prussian, so long as
they give me something to tat ?? The men bad no
patriotism, and very little training, and seine did not
know even how to put their cartridges in their mune.
Other speakers followed, oue telling exaggerated stories
of the barbarity of the Prussiens ; but Mr. Ashton
considered that the Prusalaus behaved nob'y, and Were
only cruel when exasperated by the conduct of the
French. As to the French in Paris, &story was told of
a boy who wee asked "What 5104/11 your mother do ?"
"Make aeon," answered he. " Aud what does your
father do ?" "Mat it," he replied, and this It was to
be feared, • correct repreaentation of many famine in
Paris. One speaker told of the doings of the Commune.
Be MY very near the Hotel de Ville, and had • Com-
munist offioer quartered upon him, who was constantly
asking for his health. The lieutenaut in the last days
of the Commune, ordered the men to stand at the
windows and fire when they wanted, and when
the battle was nearly over to set fire to the
house. He then said "Mind, the property in this
norm is the pastor's • death to the robbers ! "Yea,"
said the moo. The Lent. then went downstairs, saw
• pair of boots belonging to the minister, and took
ion of them • the servant objected that the
rt:teti.shad said "Death to the robbers," but the Lieut,
said "Oh I tint the Commune allow as to take what
is 000essary"—(laughter4 The minister had to get a
pass and fly, and alter various adveaterea he arrived
at the house of one of hie church. He, with the in-
mates were often in great straits, but they opened one
day the Bible, at the text "The angel of the Lord en.
oampeth round about them that feat bins," and they
felt they would be delivered. So they were, although
the next house was bunt. When he got back after the
fighting was over, he found his house sae, and nothing
gone but the pelt of boots; but instead of them •
blanket was left behind. Mr. Ashton related the
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mhoilgesbemfor
the olives, jut like willows, only with darker leaves.
They were warned not to eat or drink at the atetion
refreshment rooms, for they would be poisoned, end
charged doer for it, and they found this tree. for •
priest's/es (+barged lg francs for two sue, In Par* It
is noareely possible so pal
_your on any injury
sad fay " Bee whet the rivoleas have dame* ba6