Mens, whose families did not contain one or more persons who had become savingly convinced of the truth as it is in Jesus. This circumstance was highly encouraging to Neff, who trusted, that, with the combined advantages of talent, wealth, and piety, these new converts would become efficient agents in promoting the operations of christian zeal. These conversions, whilst they were the source of the highest gratification, prompted this devoted pastor to more vigorous exertions for the salvation of souls. He was convinced that his labours had not been in vain in the Lord, and was enabled, at once, to recognize the finger of God, when he saw not only the openly profane, but also many of those whose lives and moral conduct had been exemplary, brought to seek, with humility, an interest in the atoning blood of Christ. He trusted, also, that the example of these persons would have a beneficial influence on their friends, and throughout the various circles in which they moved; for he was fully aware of the extensive prevalence in Mens of the erroneous and dangerous sentiment, that none but

open and profligate sinners have need of pardon and regeneration.

Amongst the poorer inhabitants of Mens, this religious revival had hitherto made but little progress. At the commencement of Neff's intercourse with the labouring classes, he had imagined that they possessed more piety and simplicity than those of the surrounding communes. After a short period, however, he found that the majority of them were grossly incredulous, and, though they always manifested considerable anxiety to understand the doctrines of the cross, it was a very difficult task to disabuse their minds of the prevalent idea, that the gospel was nothing more than a beautiful fable. Neff took every opportunity of conversing with the people respecting this erroneous and injurious notion; but for a long time with very little success. He was a stranger to them, and they misconstrued the motives of his interference with their long cherished opinions. Besides this, he laboured under a disadvantage in being imperfectly acquainted with their dialect, a very peculiar patois, containing a very small portion of

French words. He at once determined to surmount the latter difficulty, by acquiring a more accurate knowledge of the patois; and, with a little application, he was enabled to converse in it with ease and fluency. He now held more familiar intercourse with the peasantry; by degrees he gained their confidence, and their erroneous sentiments were gradually removed. He afterwards translated the Scriptures to them, the truths of which, thus rendered perfectly intelligible, were productive of the most favourable emotions, often causing them to shed tears. Hitherto they had considered the Sabbath as a period for mirth and festivity. The evening of that day had been especially set apart for indulgence in sinful pleasures. Neff, however, could now perceive that the influence which these amusements had upon the minds of the poor people began to decrease, in proportion as the precepts and commands of the gospel were made known to them. The usual social meetings, held on the Sabbath evening, were more numerously attended, greater interest was manifested in the prayers which were offered, and

numbers of the labouring poor expressed the utmost eagerness to be taught to sing the Canticles and the Psalms of David.

This great change in the habits and pursuits of a large portion of the labouring classes in Mens, and its vicinity, had been effected, in the short space of five or six months, by the blessing of God upon the indefatigable labours of Neff, and M. Blanc, the resident pastor. Neff always retained the highest respect for the piety and zeal of his amiable coadjutor, who, during the period of his residence at Mens, always manifested the most friendly disposition towards him, and on every occasion rendered him the most efficient and cheerful assistance. The flock of M. Blanc were much attached to their pastor, who, on his part, was assiduously attentive to all their wants, and, in his ministerial capacity, addressed them with the greatest freedom and simplicity. To Neff he was a most agreeable companion. He was extremely engaging in conversation, being naturally of a facetious turn of mind. There was often a vein of humour in his sermons, and of this,

the journals of Neff furnish an instance. One evening, his audience manifested great inattention, and at length many of them fell asleep, but were suddenly awoke by the preacher, who exclaimed, "My friends, as I see that that which is serious and true fatigues you, I will now change my subject, and relate a fable." The earnest gravity of M. Blanc, and this unusual transition, completely aroused the slumberers.

"I will now tell you a story," he continued; "it is the Fable of the Ant and the Grasshopper, who were inhabitants of the same forest. The latter was gay and thoughtless, and spent the whole of the fine season in singing and dancing, and other frivolous amusements. But, in the meantime, her neighbour, the Ant, was industriously occupied in providing a sufficient store of food for the winter. This season arrived, and it happened that the Grasshopper fell sick, when all her gaiety forsook her, especially as she was destitute even of a single grain for her support. In this extremity, she applied to the Ant for food, who, surprised at the application, was anxious to know