The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-10-20
Eugene Reveillaud.
An Introduction.
BY WIN. W. NEWELL, JR.

*
selves about their leaders The attention
of the Protestant world, now turning
with deepest interest to the reformation
in France, finds itself attracted to the
person and work of Mr. Reveillaud, and,
as he has just arrived upon our shores,
the readers of TIE Christian Union will
be glad of an acquaintance with him.
He is still a young man, of medium
stature, full habit, large head that
shows capacity and habit of thought, a
most genial companion, valuable advo-
cate, mighty antagonist. The steps by
which he has arrived at the front in the
Protestant movement in France are re-
markable and significant The son of a
poor schoolmaster, he early disclosed
that character which marks so many a
poor lad in securing an education and a
position. He also resisted those inhu-
ences which intended him for priest of
the Church of Rome Educated for the
law, his mind has received that training
which fits it to Judge between right and
wrong; and yet his sympathies, too broad
to content themselves with the legal
practice, have sought an avenue of ex-
preston on the vital questions of his times
through the press.
Immediately at the close of the Franco
Prussian war he vigorously allied him
self with the cause of the French Re-
public. He is liberal rather than a
radical, wise enough and true enough to
withstand either extreme of despotism or
anarchy. With warm heart for every
interest of his country, he felt that the
most important of these was the religious
one and in 1877 he published his famous
pamphlet entitled La Question Rezigi-
eotSe ct La Solution ProteSta7ate. 1t is a
scholarly, fearless resume of the menace
of the Church of Rome and of infdelity
to the welfare of the State. One indica-
ton of the impression produced by this
little book is that it has already reached
its eighth edition, and has been honored
by the Pope at Rome by being numbered
In the index of books condemned and for
hidden to be read. In the preface Mr..
Reveillaud writes:
"The author of this book speaks as a
politician rather than as an apostle This
is not work for the propagation of re-
ligion but for the preservation of society.
Born and educated in the Church of
Rome, the writer early abjured its
pomps and works. His testimony on be-
half of Professionalism shall be the less
open to suspicion as it is disinterested
and spontaneous. He does not belong to
any church. He is not Christian. But
he could wish to be-"
This wish, SO honestly expressed, was
quickly gratifed. His conversion, which
followed soon after, was so marked that
it has been compared with that of st.
Paul.
Deeply moved for his own regeneration,
as well as for that of his country, one
night this engaged his dreams. He SAYS,
" I dreamed that I was tainted by Ro-
man Catholic that T had no religious be-
lief. To prove the contrary I quoted to
her the Apostles Creed. AS came to
the clause, He shall come to Judge the
quick and the dead, it seems as though
the earth quaked, the abyss opened-as
if the end of the world had come. I
awaited that [ myself should disappear
in the universal engulfment, when I
caught again, as upon branch, the SYM
boil [ was repeating-'I believe in the
Holy Ghost, said, and that very mo-
ment it seemed to me that I was rescued
from the abyss Saved thought I, IL
believe, yes, 1 believe in the Holy Ghost.
The vision passed. I was awake. But
the. influence remained; and as I COM
pretended, feasted upon the doctrine of
my Saviour God, of free pardon, of sal
walton, of blessedness eternal promised to
the elect.
This remarkable conversion, which
two years of earnest Christian faith and
life have proved genuine, is the more
wonderful since Mr.. R6veillaud is the
farthest removed from being dreamer.
In the providence of God, the very
next day being the Sabbath, his pastor
preached an earnest appeal to bear wit
ness for Christ, as the early Protestants
of France and as Stephen had so heroi-
cally done. Mr.. R6veillaud was so deep
ly moved that he came to the pulpit
stairs, begged permission to say word,
and told the congregation Of his CONVEX
sion and Of his resolution hereafter to
boldly witness for his Saviour.
Nobly has he kept to his purpose.
His weighty pen has Seen busy for the |
gospel. Not content with fugitive articles |
for the press, he has founded and edited |
the Protestant weekly paper lie S5gnal, |
which has wide circulation and is ex-