Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, Volume 17, No. 102, June, 1876Various
Science
Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, Volume 17, No. 102, June, 1876
Various
Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; Science -- Periodicals
MODERN HUGUENOTS.
It demands a good deal of energy, and it involves a little hardship, to
see the Protestant communities of the High Alps of France, but the
picturesque and historic interests of the journey furnish a sufficient
motive and make ample amends. I can think of no route so entirely
unhackneyed to recommend to blasé tourists. The point of departure is
Grenoble, reached in an hour or so from Chambéry, and in itself well
worth turning aside from the Mont Cenis thoroughfare to visit. As far as
Corps the way lies over the beaten track of the Salette pilgrims, of
which the charms are recorded in many a devout description.
It happened to us, however, to get a preliminary glimpse of French
Protestantism in a characteristic, although wholly modern, development
before leaving Grenoble. We applied to the Protestant clergyman there
for information respecting the details of our proposed tour. Pleased
with our project, he told us the story of a mission which he had
established under circumstances altogether unique, and invited us to
join him in paying it a visit. The scene of his enterprise was a sunny
little village lying high among vineyarded hills, and bearing the name
of Notre Dame des Commiers. Owing to its remoteness and insignificance,
the Roman Catholic authorities had never replaced its last priest, who
withdrew during the turmoils of the Revolution. For all their
ecclesiastical needs the people were obliged to descend to the next
village, the curé of which gave them little pastoral care beyond the
thrifty collection of his dues. Learning these facts, our Grenoble
friend determined to take advantage of the situation. He presented
himself in the village and told the people he was willing to become
their pastor. He only asked them to acknowledge the validity of baptism
and marriage performed by him, and to pledge him their support in the
struggle with the priests that would probably ensue. Later, he said, he
hoped to convince them that he taught a better religion than that at the
hands of whose ministers they had suffered such neglect. A majority of
the villagers accepted his proposal, and by a formal act constituted
themselves a Protestant commune. By so doing they were able to secure
recognition by the government as belonging to the National Protestant
Church of France. It was not long before the parishioners grew warmly
attached to their new pastor. His position of assistant at Grenoble
enabled him to assume the sole charge of the enterprise. Week after week
he made the tedious stage-coach journey, walking up the two-mile hill at
the foot of which he had to quit the highway. Often in winter he toiled
for hours through deep snow and faced violent storms in making the
ascent. In the worst weather it sometimes happened that the whole
journey from Grenoble had to be made on foot. For two years he carried
on the work unaided, holding his services in such rude quarters as he
was able to secure.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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