After a lapse of six months, M. Bonifas returned to his charge, and Neff was about to quite France for his native Switzerland, when his services were demanded in another sphere of action. The pastor of one of the churches at Mens had been called away from his people for an indefinite period, and Neff was urgently requested to perform his duties. Accordingly he went to Mens, glad to remove to a people simple in their manners, and who had the reputation, at least, of being devotedly attached to Protestant christianity. His religious sentiments being in perfect unison with those of M. Blanc, the other Protestant pastor of Mens, they laboured together with great activity and success, although here also the rage for theological controversy presented a formidable barrier to the efforts of christian zeal. It was during his residence here that he commenced his private journal, from which copious extracts will be made as we proceed. In one place, he thus alludes to the conduct he pursued, with reference to the controversial spirit then so prevalent. "I consider it my duty to avoid all discussions

of this nature; they are invariably attended by serious evils, consuming a large portion of valuable time, without leaving any useful impression on the mind. Nevertheless, I am often involved in controversy, and then it is my anxious endeavour to introduce subjects of practical utility and vital importance; but frequently, after having been thus engaged, I have to reproach myself for not having been sufficiently faithful. I pray to God, with a wounded spirit, on account of these things."

One of the most prominent and beautiful features exhibited by the Swiss Reformed Church, is its solicitude for the young, and the provision which it makes for their instruction. In general, every church has a person regularly appointed for this purpose, under the designation of pastor-catechist. At this period Neff had not been regularly ordained, and was without a pastoral charge; consequently he was only recognized as a pastor-catechist, although exercising the whole of the functions of the absent minister. Soon after the commencement of his labours here, he had gathered

a large number of catechumens, who assembled four times a week at his residence. Many of them had hitherto lived in profound ignorance, and with such he commenced by imparting the first rudiments of knowledge. His religious instructions were principally conducted according to the method recommended in the catechism of Ostervald. He read and explained the Word of God; and afterwards selected portions of Scripture, which were carefully perused by his youthful hearers, until each had committed them to memory.

He did not, however, confine himself to the simple, but important duties of the catechist. It was his highest ambition to become extensively useful; and besides his stated engagements at Mens, he began to preach in all the surrounding villages. It was not long before his labours became evidently blessed, and in a letter to a friend he thus writes; "Yesterday I preached from the parable of the Ten Virgins, and was evidently heard with much attention. Already I am questioned respecting my sermons, which gives me frequent opportunities of

enlarging on the doctrines I advance to my hearers. I have repeatedly imagined that I perceive symptoms of an approaching revival; but I am cautious in cherishing hope, much less dare I exult on this account; for I have so frequently found that when I had begun to congratulate myself on the success of my labours, God has been pleased to crush me beneath his hands, in consequence of my vanity and self-love."

Even at this early period of his evangelical efforts, his zeal, piety, and success appear to have excited the enmity of some of the nominal ministers of Christ. He alludes to this circumstance at the close of the above letter. "My friend and fellowlabourer, the resident pastor of Mens, has received letters relative to my recent labours in the neighbourhood of Geneva and the Canton de Vaud. The writer cautions him to guard his flock from wolves and false prophets, and it is very obvious that these allusions are directed towards me. Alas! how many of our religious professors are yet under the influence of the enemy of souls." Neff was now indefatigable in his labours,

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not only ministering to the spiritual wants of his charge at Mens, but also visiting, and imparting religious instruction, in the other districts which compose the department of Isere. Here was an ample field for toilsome exertion, and the following extract from one of his letters shews his devoted and ardent attachment to the cause of his Master. "I visit no place but where I can preach the gospel; and wherever I go, for this purpose, I am joyfully received, although in many places I have to contend strenuously with the Roman Catholics, and the very prevalent sins of public routs and cardplaying. Consequently I find it necessary to act with great circumspection and diligence. Frequently my mind is much pained with the thought that I may soon be compelled to quit this country, which possesses so many charms, calculated to cheer and animate the zeal of the Christian pastor. Here the harvest is abundant, and the people are by no means prejudiced against the simple manifestation of the truth; but, on the contrary, preserve a peculiar respect for the doctrines of their pious ancestors."