ce, I no longer saw a motive for delay, but
requested admission, and was received as a member of the Protestant
church.

On the twenty-third of the December following, I went to Nerac, and on
Christmas day, in the presence of the whole congregation, having, as I
trust, first given my heart unto the Lord, I became publicly united to
his saints, and received the sacred _symbols_ of the body and blood of
my Saviour at the Lord's Supper, and pledged myself to remain faithful
to him till death. I trust that he will vouchsafe to me his assistance
for the fulfilment of this promise, and manifest his strength in my
weakness.

Thus it was, my beloved children, that I became a member of
the Reformed Church of Christ. I have now explained to you the
circumstances and motives that have led me to its sanctuary. In the
presence of God I attest the truth of all I have now written. The
ranks of the true church are not recruited by means of bribery,
deceit, fraud, false miracles, or compulsion; all means are rejected
but _instruction, reason_, and persuasion. This church has been
formed, and still exists, notwithstanding the blows that have been
levelled at it; and it will for ever continue, in spite of all the
rage of hell; sustained by the simple exhibition of that Gospel which
is its only guide and support.

May it please that God whom I supplicate for the salvation of all men,
and more especially for the conversion and prosperity of my enemies,
to give his grace to you, my children, that you may be found among the
number of those who shall be saved. Happy should I be, not only to be
your natural father, but also your spiritual father! Happy, indeed,
should I be, if at that great day, when we shall appear before God
to receive the sentence of our eternal destiny, I might be able to
present myself and you, without fear, and say, "Here, Lord, am I, and
the children thou hast given me."

P. BAYSSIERE.

_Montaigut, Dec_. 31, 1826.

THE HISTORY

OF A

BIBLE.

HISTORY OF A BIBLE.

After remaining a close prisoner for some months in a bookseller's
shop, I was liberated, and taken to the country to be a companion to a
young gentleman who had lately become major. The moment I entered the
parlour where he sat, he rose up and took me in his hands, expressing
his surprise at the elegance of my dress, which was scarlet,
embroidered with gold. The whole family seemed greatly pleased with my
appearance; but they would