Monongalia mirror. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1855, 1852-03-27
Religious & Moral,
A Shepherd Church in the PyreneeS.

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There are, particularly in the south
Of France, many Protestant conmu-
nilios, which have been, for longer
Or shorter time, without spiritual pas.
tors or guides. To remedy this evil,
they are from time to time visited by
the pastors who reside in other places.
The privileges so seldom within their
reach are highly priced; whereas they
are too often sighted where they are
constantly possessed. In one of these
apostolical journeys, about ten years
ago, the pastor Chabrand, ofToulouse,
with another faithful minister, in visit.
ing the department of the Upper py-
renees, reached the high ridge Of
mountains, so called, which separate
France from Spain by ,hrce-told
cord. Beyond the first range of hills
he was surprised to find Il Christian
Church or congregation, hitherto un.
known, consisting Of shepherds and
their families, who, OH account Of their
ubodc in this elevated spot, hnve little
intercourse with those who inhubit
tho plain. aud have remained without
any settled pastor ever since the rcvo-
cation of the Edict Of Nantes; by
which e1ict full security was Promised
to the Protestants of France, tulcr
King Hery ", but it was revoked by
his grandson, Louis XIV, III lGsj,
Among The cabins 81 enis people is
seen simple place Of worship, which
they have raised with their own hands
from the stones of their rocks. Every
family possesses two copies Of the
word Of God, and they are we'll ac-
uuainted with its contents, many Of
them having stored large portions iii
their memories, as well as laid them
up in their hearts. Even the young
est have some idea Of the history IF
the Reformation, whichhas been hand
ed down among them from father to
son; nor are they strangers to the dates
of tho most remarkable events COLI
nccted with it. There is venerable
man, with silvery hair, the Oldest of,hc
shepherds, whom they call their Elder;
and every evening, when they have
driven home their flocks, he meets
them in the church, and reads to them
somc chapters from the Holy Bible.
They receive the pure word Of God
with all simplicity, without troubling
themselves as to the various sects and
parties into which Christians are divi-
ded; and to them the Reformation
has been change never to be lost
sight Of, a coming buck to the pure
word of God, and an entire subsection
to the same.
Goodwill and true-hcar'cdness are
seen in all their ways. The pcrsecu-
lions which they formerly suffered,
and which deprived them Of their pas
tors, have left no trace Of bitterliessi in
their minds. Before pastor Chabrand
departed, they took him to solitary
place among their mountains, and
said, Here it was that our fathers
met their pastor for the last time, when
persecution removed him from them.
Here, in the midst of their families and
ilocks, he prayed that the Lord would
shelter his word and his Church i'll
these mountains" His prayer was
heard, for the good Shepherd has not
suffered them to want. "The cllectu-
al, feryelit prayer Of righteous man
uvailcth much"
Long and constant use had almost
worn out the copies Of the Bible which
these poor shepherds had preserved.
They asked pastor Chabrand to help
them to procure others, but knew not
that it would be in his power. He,
however, on his return, Immediately
wrote to the Geneva Bible Society,
aud obtained Il hundred Bibles, Which
he sent to the village in question,
where they were thankfully received.
-Gcrman Magazine.