New-York tribune., 1900-10-24
ASKS FRIENDSHIP FOR FRANCE
FRENCH PREACHER HEARD AT THE
HUGUENOT- CELEBRATION

The celebration OF the Huguenot anniversary II
eonmemoratiOn of the Revocation OF the Edict o.
nantes was held yesterday In the chapel OF ths
Marble Collegiate Reformed Church Fifth-ave anc
Twenty-ninth-st
The Rev. Charles Merle d'Aubizne. son OF the sss
tnguished historian OF the Reformation and him,
SELF a man OF mark among the Hueusnots Of
France, delivered brilliant address to the best
gathering the HuEuenots have had in this city
The Rev Merle d'Aubgne is on a visit to THIS
country as delegate OF the Evangelical Churches
OF France His object. he says is to regain for
France her heritage OF the Gospel. OF which shs
was robbed amid violence. persecution and blood
shed more than two centuries ago.
Mrs Richard T. Percy rendered several voca
selections, accompanied by her husband and the
Rev. Dr. David James BurreH president OF ms
Franco-American Committee. made an address
The Rev. Merle d'Aubigne in his address said IN
part:
pop PTfsgs nsn9 aSs9n a54i in Fsnss S has caused her
her utmost foundation Since those terrible troubles
70 which France was subjected the United states
II has undoubtedly caused the people OF France
som some TnsasineSs tor she wants the friendship Of
asement from Christian people everywhere but
The moral standard OF France is very low. Ths
people have abandoned the OF light wines. and
safely call the regular drink OF the French people
public houses nearly one TO every seventy-sx per-
immoral literature is creuiated thr9uEhout tss
country and Is obtainabe by any There ara
also numerous immoral newspapers freely dis
trlouted- The Crtminality OF France is now three
times as great as u fifty years ago and the
immoral influence upon the young is pathetic and
astounding
The predominance Of the Roman Catholic Church
Is one Of the principal things which have 70
consider The Catholic Church Owns one-tenth OF
the land property OF France Twenty new converts
are established every year. although the faith OF
the people IS very low. They do not live Up their
religion and in many Of the rural parts OF France
the people have given up the Catholic Church en-
ttrely. The Jesuit Order, however, has decidedly
strong hold in France.
Politically. France is in fair way 20 stand as
leader among the Powers OF the world We have
a splendid President and strong Ministry working
the crusade against all immortality and vice. and
with the assistance OF our American sympethizsrs
We trust in God that all will turn out we'll
The Rev Merle d.Aubgne concluded by saying
that number Ct Catholic priests have OF late been
embracing Professionalism IN France and that their
influence with their laymen should have some good
effect
The Rev. Dr. George T Purves in a short address
said that the French people worship much
glory and characters which brilliant minds have
Of the Gospel and Is lowering between
Catholicism and Atheism. The path is narrow
and hard, and nothing but the true light viii show
the people the right path follow. II any country
Is IN need OF the Gospel OF Christ IL is France and
in that is her only salvation and hope Her Htera-
at stake, and only God and His children who follow
Htl in the true light beautiful France" !"
The services concluded with q hymn and the bene-
diction by the Rev Dr. Purves-