One of the chief obstacles being removed, the work was prosecuted with lively hope and fresh zeal, and the following year, 1849, proved a season of special blessing, forty-five baptisms having been reported. In 1850, the Baptist church in Paris was re-organized with four members, the first pastor being Mr. Dez. For thirteen years the church worshipped in a small inconvenient room, during which time the number of members increased from four to eighty-four. A better room was then obtained, where the brethren continued to meet till 1873, when the present marble-front chapel was provided. Work was carried on successfully in several of the large towns of northern France, and in the villages and the country immediately adjoining them. The members of the churches are generally poor, and often much scattered, but they are most faithful and regular in their attendance on the Sunday services, some of them walking even ten miles. From all accounts French Baptists are noted for their piety and self-sacrificing efforts in spreading a knowledge of the Truth. Since 1857, when Mr. Willard returned to the United States, the work has been under the direction of a committee of French ministers, the means being largely furnished by the Missionary Union. The cause has made constant and substantial progress, and gives good promise for the future. A Theological School has been established in Paris. Besides the chapel in Paris, several others have been provided. The services are generally well attended, and the people seem to manifest a growing tendency and desire to hear the Truth. In Chauny, where persecution was once so rife, the chapel has been enlarged, in order to accommodate the growing numbers who wish to hear the Gospel. Baptisms are of frequent occurrence. The little periodical called “_L’Echo de la Verite_” has met with unexpected favor and success, the number of its subscribers being nearly twice that of the Baptists themselves. A small but valuable Baptist literature has been provided. If we include those not connected with the Missionary Union, the Baptist force of France numbers at present about twenty pastors and evangelists, about twenty organized churches, some forty or fifty sub-stations, and about one thousand members. During these sixty years of effort and suffering much precious fruit has been gathered for the heavenly garner, and a good foundation has been laid. Religiously, France and Italy are very much alike, and the difficulties of the one, are, in the main, the difficulties of the other. In each case Romanism, with its attendant and inevitable evils, is the chief obstacle. But the darkness of Romanism is sure to recede before the light of God’s Word, and we may confidently hope that the land so often crimsoned by the blood of martyrs, the land of the Huguenots will yet throw off the shackles of the “Man of Sin” and bow to the sway of Immanuel. CHAPTER XXII. FROM VIENNA DOWN THE DANUBE TO CONSTANTINOPLE.