CHAPTER XI.

From the return of Neff to Geneva, till the end of the year.

THE first letter in my possession relative to this period contains, as one might expect, details relative to the health of Neff, and his manner of life at Geneva, and is addressed to his principal correspondent at Mens, Emily Bonnet. The residence of the missionary at Geneva brought us more visitors than usual from Mens; it is of one of these persons that Neff speaks at the beginning of his letter.

'MY DEAR EMILY, 'Before you receive this letter, you will, I have no doubt, have heard from Flora, both of herself and me; and trusting to her to communicate with you, I have hitherto deferred writing to Mens. She will have told you that she is much better since she came here; at least I can assure you she never looked better than she now does. I sometimes visit her, but I have not much strength for exertion: and as it is now hot, any exercise fatigues me.

'I and my good mother have very agreeable apartments looking on the lake; the air is fresher and purer here, than at almost any other place, and we are near the town.

'I have consulted one of the best physicians here, and he tells me I am exhausted;—that I require much rest; great care, &c. I do not suffer much, provided I am careful of my diet. I must give you an account of my visit to the physician. After several other questions, he asked me what was my calling-a minister-Where I lived?-Dauphinè, among the Alps -Your parishes there must have been very arduous -Yes, it is that which has injured my health.-Are not the people the remains of the ancient Vaudois?Some of them. We have had several interesting accounts of those valleys, and of a minister whose name I forget-Neff perhaps?-Just so-He has now the honour of speaking to you.-Indeed! I am delighted to make your acquaintance, and shall rejoice to do you good; but tell me, has there not been a religious revival in those mountains? Judge if I was not agreeably surprised by the interest he showed in the subject? but as there were others waiting to see him, I was obliged to take my leave, promising however to see him again.

'I was obliged to lay aside my letter the day before yesterday, for writing, as usual, made me ill for the rest of the day. Yesterday I suffered great pain from indigestion, though I only eat a slight breakfast of arrow-root, which is so light, that it is even given to dying people, but which made me ill nevertheless. To-day, thank God, I am better, and I take advantage of this amendment, to finish my letter before breakfast, for afterwards writing will be out of the question. I shall go this morning to my physician, who will no doubt again enjoin repose; it is a melancholy system for me, and I am already sadly weary of it. I am really ashamed of my want of patience and submission, particularly when I consider how much I deserve to be entirely turned out of my master's service.

Bost is here for a few days; and being a near

neighbour, I often see him. The worthy and zealous Fuchs, of whom you have read in the journals of Bost, arrived yesterday. Gaussen is ill; Galand is still very weak; Lhuilier is gone to the mountains for change of air; Empeytaz is getting better. The learned and amiable Erskine is expected soon, I shall be delighted to see him again.

'I cannot promise to write to any one; but the letters of any of my friends I shall receive with great pleasure. Remember me affectionately to all my friends. Adieu, my dear Emily, may God strengthen you, both in body and soul.'

To John Phillips of Arvieux.

'Geneva, July 10, 1827. 'MY VERY DEAR BROTHER IN JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD.

'I received your letter with so much the more pleasure, because since my arrival here, it is the first I have had from France. I arrived at Geneva on the 15th of June; and for the first few days was able to go about, and to preach as I did before I left you. But the last week in June I was much worse; and lost in a few days the little strength I had gained. I have consulted the physicians in the place; but they did not at first understand my case; and gave me remedies which did harm rather than good. When they found I was worse, they gave me no more medicine, but have ordered me to live on boiled milk, with a little sugar, and a little very fine white bread, for the common white bread I could not take. I am also to bathe every day in the lake; the water of which is very cold; I have now followed this regimen about ten days, and thank God I feel better for it. It would be well if Maria would do the same, provided she could support the milk, which is considered the only remedy in similar cases. I am quite

determined to follow this system as long as it may be necessary, even should it be for several years. If I continue getting better, I hope to see you towards the end of summer; though I feel it will be long before I am strong enough to take charge of such a fatiguing parish as yours. I have therefore, been obliged to write and inform M. d'Aldebert, that he must not reckon upon me. I cannot tell you how painful it is to me to give up the charge of a church to which I am so much attached, and on which the Lord seems graciously to have shed a blessing. But it is my Master's will, and I am bound to believe that will to be always holy, just, and right.

However, as I said before, I do hope to see you again soon; and as long as I am able I shall continue to visit you from time to time. At any rate, my affection for you, and for all whom the Lord has been pleased to raise from the death of sin, will never diminish; wherever I may be, my thoughts will often turn towards you; and in my prayers you will constantly be remembered. I trust that the Lord who has called you will also strengthen you, and that you will learn to know and love him more from day to day.

·

I must again repeat, my dear friend, how much your letter has delighted me; how often I think of you; and how anxiously I desire to see you again. No friends are dearer to me than you and your family; none are so deeply engraven on my heart. Remember me affectionately to your uncles, and your cousin and his wife; and to all those at Arvieux who inquire after me.

Adieu, my dear brother: may God strengthen and comfort you by his grace in Jesus Christ. Amen.'

To Maria Phillips at Arvieux.

'Geneva, July 11, 1827.

Though for a long time I have been too ill to write,

I will endeavour to do so to-day, that I may with my own hand have the pleasure of thanking you for your letter. I shall write at different intervals, and I shall not, I trust, suffer from it.

'I was so anxious for intelligence from the High Alps, that nothing could have rejoiced me more than your letters. I have given your husband an account of my health, and also of the regimen I observe, thinking it might be of use to you. It suits me very well, and I seem daily to gather strength; I should indeed be tolerably easy, did I not frequently suffer from tooth-ache. But if one is well in body, the disease of sin soon gains the ascendancy; especially when one is obliged to remain the whole day unemployed, which is my case just now, being allowed neither to read, write, or speak. For the last three months I have been obliged to give up preaching.

'You tell me that your sister Margaret, and your cousin, have at length found comfort to their souls. May God be praised, for I have been very anxious about them. I do indeed rejoice that at length they are convinced that none who come to Christ will ever be cast out. Remind them that nothing grieves the Saviour more than our unbelief. Exhort them to re

sist all the fiery darts of the wicked, and to hold fast the hope set before them. Remember me affectionately to them and all my other friends. When I am stronger I will write more; to-day I must conclude.'

The following are extracts from a letter addressed to Neff at this time, by Emily Bonnett.

'Mens, July 7, 1827.

'No doubt you are right in considering it a great favour to be allowed to work in the Lord's vineyard; but have you forgotten, that though you may be confined to your bed, or a sofa, you are not therefore prevented from serving him? If you cannot read or