Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-27
The Huguenots.
ATLANTA Constitution


On April 18th next the worlds congress
Of Huguenots will assemble In New York
city for the purpose of celebrating the
Booth anniversary Of the proclamation Of
the edict of Nantes SO important is the
part which the Huguenots have played in
the development of modern Christianity
that widespread interest attaches to the
preparations which are now being made
for this approaching congress.
The appropriateness of holding the
worlds congress Of Huguenots in the
United States lies in the fact that the
blood Of these sturdy French Puritans
courses through the veins of many Of
our best citizens. Ia the South especially
there are scores of noble and aristocratlc
old families which trace their lineage
back TO the Huguenots Of Potion, Pro-
vence, and Navarro On this account it
may not be amss TO anticipate the popu-
lar discussion which the approaching con-
gress will evoke by recurring briefly to
the early struggles Of the Huguenots.
As a religious sect, the Huguenots first
appeared In France about the middle Of
the sixteenth century. Their name was
first applied In reproach to the whole
mass of those Protestant reformers who
divorced themselves from the system Of
theology and church government set up
by Martin Luther to follow the religious
leadership of John Calvin. In 1876 they
organized the first Huguenot church in
Paris, and almost Immediately thereafter
similar religious organizations sprang up
I'm some fifteen separate communities in
France
SO rapid was the growth of the Hugue-
not movement from this time forward
that in order to secure more effective
organization It was decided 20 send dele
gates TO Paris TO discuss the matter; and,
accordingly in 1859 the first Huguenot
synod met in the French capital Old
John Calvin was the master-spirit of the
synod and most of its enactments
emanated from the astute brain Of the
sturdy old reformer But, commencing
with the organization of this synod and
extending on down for more than 100
years with only occasional Interruptions,
the Huguenots were Forced TO defend
themselves against the most bitter as
saults and prosecutions. Indeed, one OF
the foulest blots upon the whole history
Of France is the one which records the
massacre of st. Bartholomew Day on
that day It is claimed that as many as
900 Huguenots suffered death In the
most ignominious manner But instead
Of Welding up their faith at the bidding
lellElOuS
to fixed political aims and sought more
strenuously than ever for liberty OF con-
science. In 1884 they espoused the claims
of Young Henry Of Navarro to the crown
of France, stood Loyalty by him In all his
wars. and in the end, when the coveted
prize rested upon his brow, obtained from
him the concessions set forth IN the Ia
nous edct Of Nantes.
Under the terms of this edict public eX-
ercises of the Huguenot faith were al
lowed in the houses Of the mobiles ana
gentry and in certain specified towns
/ The edict Of Nantes was formally pro-
/ claimed on April y, 1858. or course all
persecution of the Huguenots az once
| ceased, but intense opposition to the taitf
~ these sturdy Puritans constantly as
serted itself from time TO time until IT'S
final revocation in 1856. When persecu-
| tions set I'm afresh against the Huguenots
| providence opened for them way OF
! escape through emigration TO America
| and hither from that time forward the
| nersecuted Huguenots fiocked. Most OF
/ them settled along the Atlantic coast II
| south Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland
In every crisis Of our history the Hugue'
nots have cheerfully met the demands o.
freedom. and there is no element OF oui
nresent citizenship more loyal and pa
| triotic than the one which owes its origin
10 these early Huguenot refugees.
Most Of the original French Huguenot'
belonged TO the upper circles. To quote
from one Of the most eminent authorities
there were 100000 Huguenots in France a
! the beginning OF the long series OF perse
cutions. While this number represented
onlv one-thirtieth Of the common people
Il REPRESENTED not less than one-third Of
the mobiles. The unwavering fidelity viii
which the Huguenots stood up for theii
religious convictions was In every respect
worthy of the noble blood which courseC
through their veins, and hence 1t is tha
men everywhere are proud 10 trace bach
their lineage 10 the old Huguenots Of
France. The approaching congress in New
! York will bring TO this country hundreds
of delegates boasting Of the old Hugueno
blood from all parts Of the globe.