The family was rich in houses, lands and stocks ; but. the persecution was so bitter that they fled in the night to save their lives, leaving behind the greater part of their property which they coukJ,not convert into money. There were eleven other families which fled at the same time and from the same cause; they were strictly forbidden to read the Bible, or to hold religious meetings of any kind The Romish priests used to search every house which they imagined contained a Bible, or in which meetings were held. Some Bibles were concealed, but they were found and taken away ; some leaves however were hidden under the bottom of a chair in such a way that they escaped discovery for a long time. The twelve families fled by night from Paris to Rochelle where they all continued to live for a time in close fellowship with each other. At length intelligence from Paris reached the Romanists at Rochelle and the houses of the Huguenots were watched. They would not discontinue their meetingsfor they contended that every man had a right to worship God according to the dictates of his owe. conscience. But contention was in vain ; their persecutors were rich and powerful anil in consequence of the refusal of the Huguenots to submit, they were all condemned to be massacred on a certain night. From certain indications they gathered that evil w.m intended toward them ; their houses were pointed out by passers by. Providentially, through the good offices of a friendly Romanist, they were warned of their danger am! nearly all escaped. On the night previous to the fated night, the faithful band muffled the wheels of their wagons and stole away. They were discovered in going and were pursued tike the Israelites to a river.