none of its records have been discovered. At
that period, there were only five or six congregations in the province
of New-York, and this must have been one of them. The Rev. David
Bonrepos accompanied some of the French Protestants in their flight from
France to this country, and in an early description of New-York, the
Rev. John Miller says: 'There is a meeting-house at Richmond, Staten
Island, of which Dr. Bonrepos is the minister. There are forty English,
forty-four Dutch, and thirty-six French families.' In 1695-1696, letters
of denization were granted to David Bonrepos and others. Among my
autographs is a copy of his; he wrote a fair, clear hand.

Under the tolerant rule of 'Good Queen Anne,' many French refugees
obtained peaceful abodes in Richmond county. In their escape from their
own land, multitudes had been kindly received in England, and afterward
accepted a permanent and safe shelter in the Province of New-York. What
a noble origin had the Staten Island Christian refugees! Their
ancestors, the Waldenses, resided several centuries, as a whole people,
in the South of France, and like the ancient Israelites of the land of
Goshen, enjoyed the pure light of sacred truth, while Egyptian darkness
spread its gloom on every side. In vain have historians endeavored to
trace correctly their origin and progress. All, however, allow them a
very high antiquity, with what is far better, an uncontaminated, pure
faith. A very ancient record gives a beautiful picture of their simple
manners and devotions:

'They, kneeling on their knees, or leaning against some bank or
stay, do continue in their prayers with silence, as long as a man
may say thirty or forty _paternosters_. This they do every day,
with great reverence, being among themselves. Before meat, they
say, '_Benedicite_.' etc. Then the elders, in their own tongue,
repeat: 'God, which blessed the five loaves and two fishes, bless
this table and what is set upon it. In the name of the Father, Son,
and Holy Ghost. Amen.' After meat, they say: 'Blessing, and
worship, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, honor, virtue, and strength,
to God alone, for ever and ever. Amen. The Lord which has given us
corporeal feeding, grant, us his spiritual life; and God be with
us, and we always with him. Amen.' Thus saying grace, they hold
their hands upward, looking up to heaven; and afterward they teach
and exhort among