During all these horrid tortures his mind was kept in perfect fidelity and peace, and he ejaculated solemnly: 'Israel trust in the Lord, he is their help and their shield.' Such was the first confessor of Jesus Christ who suffered and died in France, and therefore demands our especial notice. A system of terror soon began over the whole of France.

" But in vain did its enemies oppose ; the glorious march of the Reformation was onward and sure. France had now been baptized with the blood of the martyrs !

■• " In the midst of perils, opposition and persecution, the first national synod was called at the metropolis of the kingdom. This council published to the world their confession, which is entitled, ' The confession of faith held and professed by the Refornied Churches of France, received and enacted by their first national synod, celebrated in the city of Paris, and year of our Lord, 1559.' " In their contests at this period the Huguer:ot forces were led by the celebrated and brave Coligny and the Prince of Conde, two illustrious names in their annals. The Duke of Guise headed the papal armies. Towns were taken and retaketj ; when the Huguenots triumphed they destroyed altars and images, and the Romanists in their turn burned all the bibles they could seize. Such were the effects of fanaticism on both sides. To assert that the excesses were only committed by one party would be untrue, and that some of our race were allied to angels ; but we hazard nothing in saying that the reformed, in almost every instance, resorted to arms from motives of self-preservation."