tions of all the pious at Mens. His route lay through the French Metropolis, where he met with several of his friends, who invited him to preside at the monthly meeting of the French Protestant Missionary Society.

After a stay of a few days in Paris, he proceeded by way of Dover to London, where he arrived on a Sabbath morning. Being quite a stranger, and wholly unacquainted with the English language, he felt greatly perplexed, and for a long time wandered about the streets, unable to meet with any person who could converse with him in French. At length, however, he met with a passenger, to whom he contrived to make himself intelligible. He intimated his desire to be directed to a place of worship where the service was conducted in the French language, and his conductor led him to the French Chapel in Threadneedle-street, under the pastoral charge of the Rev. Mr. Scholl.

His journal contains an allusion to his arrival in London; and the manner in which the Pastor of the Alps was recognized by Mr. Scholl, is thus narrated by himself: "I arrived in London on the Sabbath morning,

and for a long time could find no one who understood the French language. At length, I met with a person, who, at my request, led me to a French Protestant chapel. At this place, I had the happiness to hear a truly evangelical sermon. At the conclusion of the service, desiring to be introduced to the minister, I went into the vestry, and thanked him for the edification and pleasure I had received from his discourse. For any thing I knew, we were perfect strangers to each other, and I was not even acquainted with his name; but judge of my surprise, when he at once accosted me by name, and began to converse as familiarly as though we had been acquainted from infancy. This circumstance, although it perplexed me, was, however, soon explained, for he informed me that my friend, M. B, the pastor of Lausanne, had given him so correct a description of my person, that when I entered the chapel he had recognized me at the first glance."

CHAPTER V.

NEFF IS ORDAINED, AT THE REV. J. CLAYTON'S CHAPEL, IN THE POULTRY-HIS CONFESSION OF FAITH-HIS RETURN TO MENS-PREJUDICE EXCITED AGAINST HIM DURING HIS ABSENCE- THE AUTHORITIES TAKE ALARM-HE PREPARES TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY A LETTER FROM M. BLANC RESPECTING HIM NEFF IS INVITED TO BECOME PASTOR ON THE HIGHER ALPS.

THE ceremony of Neff's ordination took place in London, May 19, 1823, at the chapel of the Rev. John Clayton, Jun. in the Poultry. Nine Independent Ministers were present on this occasion, and took part in the services; amongst whom were the Rev. John Clayton, Jun., and his venerable father; the Rev. Mark Wilks, of Paris; and the Rev. Dr. John Pye Smith, the Theological Tutor at Homerton College.

The Charge was delivered by the Rev. Mark Wilks, prior to which, the following questions had been proposed, to all of which Neff returned satisfactory answers.

"What reasons have you for believing that God has called you to preach the Gospel?"

"What were the motives which induced you to devote yourself to the solemn duties of the pastoral office?"

"What are your sentiments respecting the essential doctrines of Christianity?

The whole of Neff's replies to these questions would occupy several of our pages, and probably encroach too much upon the more interesting period of his eventful history. The following, however, is their substance, which will doubtless be gratifying to the reader, as containing, in some measure, Neff's confession of faith.

"I have assumed the ministerial functions, believing that the sovereign Shepherd of our souls has implanted within me an ardent wish to proclaim the glad tidings of salvation to perishing sinners. I have frequently tried to repress this desire, and have endeavoured to devote myself to other employments, but all such attempts were frustrated; my conscience became more and more burdened; and it seemed to me as if a voice was continually repeating, Go, and preach the kingdom of God.' The results of my ministerial efforts have also tended to foster and strengthen the conviction that God had

called me to my labours, many souls having already given pleasing evidence of their conversion through my instrumentality. During the last two years, God has graciously opened many doors for my ministry; and I have received so many calls, both from consistories and churches, that my mind is firmly impressed with the belief that it was not altogether my own desire, but the will of the Lord, that I should enter into the labours of his vineyard."

To the third question, he thus replied:

"I declare my utter incompetency to unfold the secrets of the Most High God, or to explain how, or wherefore, he has permitted sin to enter our world. It is, however, quite sufficient for us to know that sin does exist; that it dwells in our hearts; that we were born under its power; and that, excited by the example of the world and the influences of Satan, it reigns in our souls, and causes us to bring forth evil fruits to our condemnation.

"I believe that this fallen and corrupt nature renders man unworthy, and incapable, of any participation in the favour of God; but that his crimes justly deserve eternal punishment, according to the justice of the Most High.

"I believe that all mankind have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; and that there does not exist, either in ourselves, or in the whole created universe, any means by which we can free ourselves from this state of perdition. On the contrary, we