The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-04-08
SOCIETY HOLDS
ANNUAL MEETING.
Huguenot Association Hears Ad-
dress by Bishop Hoss, Of
Methodist el'to lis Church.
THE CONDITION IN FRANCE.
Speaker Refers to Recent scpara-
ton Act and Its
Effects.
THE CONDITION IN FRANCE.

The annual meeting of the 1Iugucnot
Society was held last night In tho
Grace street Presbyterian Church. and
was attended by n representative au-
dience, notwithstanding the rainy
evening. The large chorus choir OF
the church rendered several beautiful
selections, including Stnlnor's Awake,
Thou That Slecpcst.'
The sermon before the society was
delivered by Bishop u. i. 1Ioss, OF
the Methodist Episcopal Church. South.
The SPEAKER was introduced by Rev.
Russell Cecil D. d.. who outlined
briefly tho object and work of tho
organization, which was formed in
Richmond some years ago for the sup-
port Of missionary worker in the
Protestant sections Of Franco.
Bishops Address.
Bishop Hoss lnade a scholarly and
historical address, sl1ctching briefly
the rise of the Protestant movement in
France, and dwelling particularly on
the present religious disturbances in
that country. lie told Of IN attempt
to land colony of Hugucnot Protcnt-
ants In Brazil, near Rio Janeiro in
the course of which movement moro
than 10000 aWa:e pledged to go out to,
the colonies. The movement was never
successful, but opened number Of
questions in political and religious
circles. The speaker outlined from
the date of this movement the growth
or the reformation in Franco until at
the end Of the fifteenth century. 1t
began to look as if the refor1ners
would win the day. Calvinlsm was
then spreading throughout Europe, In
spite OF ecclesiastical and political.
persecution. he said.
The historical events leading uplt
the Edict of Nantes In 1898 the rule
Of the Medicis, the Guiscs, and Henry
of Navarro, were briefly told. In 1860
it was estimnted that there were two
million Huguenots in France.
The bishop called attention to tho
judicial blindness of tho rule, which
stripped France of her best blood in
tho years following 1860, and about
tho time Of the revocation of the Edict
of Nantes inE16S9. when more than a
million people emigrated, being forced
to fee to foreign lands or surrender
all that made for the serenity Of hu-
man tie. These people became a po-
tent factor in6the countries with which
they. mingled, ana were most impor-
tant contrbutidn.s to the citizenship
Of the new republic. The gain of tho
world has been Frances loss.
Had she reserved this, the best
blood of her Veins, she might have
been spared tho horrors of the revo-
luton, and the shame of the Sedan
Conditions To-Day.
Continuing, Bishop Hoss turned his
attention to the remnant "who still
fingered In the fatherland, and have
there kept the lamp Of true religion
alive for six generations"
He then referred to the work OF
evangellzation in France under the
various boards.
Present-day conditions in France
Were discussed in detail, Bishop Hoss
showing a COMPREHENSIVE grasp Of
the political and religious npheavais
in that country in the past few
years.
The terms of the separation bill
Were read and explained, and high
tribute was paid to the present Profess
tant Church Of France, whose losses
in the separation from the state have
been heavy.
The anthem at the close Of the ser
vice, Lord, Now Les Thy Servant
Depart in Peace was finely rendered.
the organ accom- paniment being well
modulated. and tho choir showing
careful training.