Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1872-11-20
DAubgae.

The Rev. jean Henri Merle D Aubigne,
best known as the historian Of the Reforma-
ton, died in his home at Geneva On the 2lst
ult lie was born in the same place on the
10th of August, 1874, aud was Consequently
n his seventy-ninth year In harmony
with an ancient, but somewhat mysterious
custom, young Henri Merle took from his
grandmother the name Of D'Aubgne. He
graduated in the University at Geneva and
here he was converted. It is interesting to
uote the hard OF God, not merely il nations,
but in individuals. About the time that
D'Aublgne entered college, a great reviv1
OF religion took place in Scotland. Among
the converts were the well known John and
James Haldane- Very soon after his CONVEX
sion the younger Haldane determined on
visiting Geneva 10 prepare himself for the
mini stry. Little did D 'Aubigne think when
he saw the stranger Scot enter the classroom,
that this was the one who was to lead him
into the clear understanding of spiritual
religion. Young Haldane with his fresh af-
lection, and holy impulses, felt the air Of
Geneva icy as Siberia. The pastures on
which the students were nourished were the
chill swamps of the q DEGREES. A fatalism
that delights to think itself pbiIosoph cal,
usurped the place of the Gospel Of esus Christ
With the fervor Of a devotee, and the per-
severance of a Scotchman, Hlldane labored
to lead opinion and faith to a richer result.
Ia D'Aubigne he found an earnest enquirer
and ultimately rejojced to see him happy
bell ever in the Lord. With quickencd in
telligence, as well as with renewed nature,
D'Aubigne departed for Berlin to place him
self at the feet of Neander, whose splendid
fame then filled all the schools of Europe
and America, and drew students from every
cline After his ordination be became PAS
tor Of French church at Hamburg, but left
it to become Court preacher in Brussels
In 1890 be returned to Geneva and was ap-
pointe to the chair of ecclesiastical history.
In the preparation of his lectures the cor
of the church of the early and mid
die ages frequently came before him, and
impressed him with the idea of
analysing that great movement of the six
.eenth century-the Reformation.
HIS history is too well knwn to need com
nene in this brief sketch, but 10 one can
1yerrate its worth aud service. As an expo
ition of the Providence that marks the up
leavaI Of nations and the swapping Of the
yithes of prejudice and error, the book is
,uequaIled. 1t calls the reader back t. first
and shows the God that shapes
he doubtful destiny OF society. His smaller
nd less known works present the same char
cteristics Notably his ine portrayal of
be character of the great Protector belongs
0 the first rank Of the philosophical essay.
he feather Of the pen OF the scholar wiped
# the dust which lay on the name Of Oliver
'romwel. That dust had indeed been dis
lrbed by Carlyle aud to both the praise be-
,ngs of making plain the greatest name IN
nglish history. For forty years D'Aubigne
welt 10 Geneva lie took but little inter
st in local politics. but as teacher and
reacher he largely influenced the life of the
lace His visits to the aft .liated Presbyter-
N churches of Englani and Scotland and
Gland, were always hailed with pleasure
Though he never visited US he admired our
,untry, and in l866, presided at meeting
eId in Geneva in behalf of our Freedmen.
any hoped to see him at the meeting of
,e Evangelical Alliance in New York, next
cara hope now impossible of realization.
ehorr time before mis- death g the old man
eouent" unable to meet his students in
e classroom, invited them to his house and
ere spoke to them on his favorite themes.
lese tell how the undimmed eyes of the
,ei Noses flashed beneath the pent-like
iges of his eye brows. as from the Pisgah
his eighty years, he told of all the way in
aich the Lord had led him. Full of honor
I'm all lands, he sleeps in the city where he
IS born, and beside the waters OF the beau
ul lake he loved SO we'll.