labours in Val Fressiniere. He found its inhabitants unacquainted with the simplest rudiments of human knowledge, and so ignorant of the first principles of religion, that it was even necessary to remind them of the fundamental truths of the gospel. His first efforts were directed towards the introduction of a better system of education. The method he adopted for this purpose will be best recorded in his own language. "The few school-masters whom I found in Val Fressiniere, were so ignorant, that, in any other country, they would scarcely be deemed worthy the designation of ' scholars.' Scanty, however, as were their attainments, their services were still more scantily remunerated, at the rate of two louis, or about twenty shillings, per annum.

"It is only during the winter months that these poor peasants have any leisure for instruction, for no sooner does the spring commence, than they begin their agricultural labours, or proceed with their flocks to those pastures were the snow is off the ground. So long have they been immured in ignorance and supineness, that it will

probably be a considerable period before an entirely new bias is given to their minds and pursuits.

"The season was so far advanced, that during my first winter here I was unable to bring many of my plans into operation. But, notwithstanding this, I commenced giving elementary lessons to all who were willing to receive instruction; and was gratified to observe a very teachable and intelligent disposition amongst several of my people, both young and old. I likewise introduced psalmody, and found it of great utility in arresting the attention of the idle and ignorant, but more especially in attracting many persons to our 'reunions,' or meetings for the exposition of Scripture and devotional exercises. In Val Queras, many of the inhabitants had made much greater attainments than their neighbours, in several branches of secular knowledge. I prevailed upon three of their teachers to settle during the winter in Val Fressiniere; and also procured for them a larger amount of salary than their incompetent predecessors had enjoyed. One of them I placed at Dor

milleuse, another at La Combe, and the third amongst our friends at Trieve. They were all young men, and frequently attended me, to receive lessons in psalmody and the French language. Whilst they were imparting instruction to others, I felt extremely anxious that their own minds should be impressed with the great importance of divine things, and the vast superiority of that knowledge which was able to make them wise unto salvation. My prayers on their behalf were answered, and the divine blessing so accompanied my instructions, that, at the commencement of the following spring, these youths returned to their families and acquaintance, their souls burning with an ardent desire to spread abroad in their own valley the glad tidings of salvation.

'This establishment of more effective teachers was hailed with satisfaction and delight by many of my people, who regarded it as conducive to the best interests of the valleys. My arrangements, however, were not complete, for it was still necessary to provide school-rooms in the three hamlets, particularly at Dormillouse, where the pupils

began rapidly to increase. At this place, there is a large public building, formerly used as a granary. It struck me that this erection might be made to answer our purpose; accordingly I induced its proprietors to agree to such interior alterations as would furnish us with two or three large rooms. Aided by several of the most active and intelligent of my Dormillousians, I immediately commenced the requisite alterations. No sooner was my project known throughout Dormillouse, than its inhabitants zealously contributed their assistance. Every house furnished a man, together with a mule, to carry the materials; for in these regions, vehicles on wheels are quite unknown; and indeed, considering the rugged and mountainous nature of the country, they would be utterly useless.

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Supported by such cheerful and efficient co-operation, this important work proceeded so rapidly, that in the space of a single week, we had the satisfaction to see the building so transformed, as to allow of its immediate occupation as a school-house." Whilst Neff was thus actively engaged

in the formation of schools at Dormillouse, he had another work in progress, which was equally the object of his solicitude, not only because it was of the highest importance to the religious interests of the valleys, but because on himself alone devolved the direction of all its arrangements. This was nothing less than the erection of a spacious building for divine worship, at the destitute hamlet of Violins. These Protestants give the designation of Les Temples to their religious edifices, and on the arrival of Neff, he found only five of them within the whole range of his extensive parish, some of which were falling into decay, and others were rendered unattainable to many of his people, on account of the remote and inconvenient distances. Although his presence was now more than ever required, both at Dormillouse and Violins, yet this indefatigable pastor did not suffer his engagements here to occupy so much of his time, as to prevent his visiting the other portions of his flock in regular succession. On the contrary, he continued to prosecute the numerous and varied duties of his pastoral office with unyielding perse