The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-14
PR0TESTANTISM IN FRANCE.
Hon. William Writ Henry Addresses
the Huguenot Society.

At a meeting last night OF the Huguenot
Society of the Second Presbyterian Churcn
"a We y interesting and able address on
the history OF Professionalism In FL ance was
delivered by Hon. William Writ Henry.
The occasion was of especial interest ana
impressiveness as the three hundredth
anniversary Of the pronunciation OF the
ediCt of Nantes, which for almost "a cen
fury insured religious liberty and tolera-
ton 10 the prosecuted Husuenots or
France.
After the opening exercises Mr.. Hem
rvs address held the close attention or
the audience. The speaker sketched the
begiuu ms Of European PrOteslantsm as
found IN the NaudOrs OF southern france
and told Of the crusade against them
inaugurated in the thirteenth century by
Pope Innocent III. This heroic pe0p,e
were well nigh eXterminated, but their
scattered descendants kept alive the pure
gospel until the Reformation OF the SIX
zenith century.
What the Bible Of Luther was TO Ger
many and the German language, tne
Bible translated by William Farrell IN
1873. the apostle Of the Reformation in
France. was 20 France ana the tTtnch
language. He was followed by John Cal
vim, the brilliant leader and profound the
o.ogian, whose institutes "IlIIen a. ~
age OF twenty-five, united ana Iaid deep
aud broad the foundations or the theolosy
of the Reformation and or la.et times;
His dominating influence was rex IN an
lands. both in civil n reiglous spheres
OF tn0ugnt and activity:
Mr.. Henry reviewed the early persecu-
tions OF the HuguenOts, a name nrst USED
as "a term OF TeprOacn Tor me fISuCu
Protcstants. and graphically pictured tne
horror and blOOGshed or the years Ol
civil war preceding the massacre or 81.
aarthoIOmcw. when thousands were muir
dered i'm cold blood. He cd or the Nicto-
lies and accession or Henry. OF Navarro,
who signed the edict which three hundred
nnnA "a III Ina
erty 10 the Huguenots. TINS was accept
ed bv them and Daclfied the distracted ma
lion until Louis XIV, In 1885, revoked
the edict and renewed the persecution
Not less han 900 900 were murdered, anu
a. least 500 900 of the choicest sons OF
Frauce sought homes elsewhere. These
men were skilled artisans, the strength
al France. who brought their skill ana
Intelligence 20 enrich Germany, Enslahu
and America. r.
old OF Admiral Coligni. the able and brill
liant soldier and sincere and true Chtls-
tian leader: of the plans or
American colonization ana NOV now
ciate. Sir Walter Raleigh, who pam
Ell the Inflated colony at Roanoke lsIanu'
the predecessor OF jamestown ana fIy-
mouth colony. lie Il was who also ded I
a death blow 10 Spanish power ~
elder and younger Condo. with henry OF
Eavarre. The fearless leader and light
hearted and Yivac Gus comTade. complelci
the group Of Huguenot warriors.
Several females were conspicuous uut-
ing the period-Margaret or Nalols, her
daughter and granddaughter, among ths
prCfssrants in their influence upon Henry
OF Navarro. largely contributed TO me
forces which led 10 the edict OF Nantes;
Among the Catholics. Mary OF Medlcl ana
he Madame de Ma ntenon We're SIaPul-
callv pictured as the enemies OF frotes-
Tarisu the ono having to answer Tor
81. bartholomew and the other lot the
revocation OF the edict Of Nantes.