The White Fields of France

t WOULD state in a few sentences my reasons
for writing, or rather compiling, this little
book.

1. I wish the Churches of Great Britain, and of America also, to be better acquainted with the spiritual condition, past as well as present, of Paris and of France. Amid many shadows, there is in it more of brightness and hopefulness than many suppose. There are “white fields” gleaming amid miles of moorland.

2. I wish to call their earnest attention to the work now going on under Mr. M’All; a work which has proved its solidity by a history of nearly eight years; a work which, apart from numerous conversions, has calmed down the most unquiet faubourgs of the city.”^’

* While I am writing this, Paris has been moved by the news of the death of the Prince Imperial. In former days, an event like this would have been the signal for a Republican illumination, especially in what I may call the “Mission faubourgs.” But all has been quiet; and the newspapers specially inform us that attempts to get up these displays in “Belleville and Montmartre have failed; and the lantern sellers went home with their stock unsold.”

iv Preface.

3. I wish to engage the sympathies of workers at home for their fellow-workers in France, who, amid all their comforting success, have many difficulties to encounter, and much real hardship to undergo.

4. I wish to plead for more labourers. It is self-denying and, in a worldly aspect, unremunerative toil; but not the less on that account ought it to call out the zeal of Christians in our land, especially as it is the nearest and most accessible of all missionary fields. The French Pastors have nobly helped; but they have their own work, which fills their hands.

5. I wish to claim the liberality of those who can give. Mr. M’ All’s responsibilities are heavy; and Christians at home must step forward to relieve him. The burden, which he has been bearing so uncomplainingly, is becoming too weighty for the shoulders of one man. As conductor of the Mission, and as responsible for the means of carrying it on, he has far too much laid upon him. His position reminds me of the apostle’s, as described by himself in 2 Cor, xi. 28, — “Besides those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the Churches;” or, as the words might be more pointedly rendered, ‘’ Besides these externals, there is the daily concourse of visitors, and the care

Preface,

of all the Churches.” I need not say that the “daily concourse of visitors” in Paris is a serious thing.

These are my chief reasons for publishing this volume; and I trust it will have due weight with the Christian public, calling forth sympathy, liberality, and prayer.

I have confined myself entirely to Mr. M’All’s work, and even of this I have been obliged to write briefly. To know it aright, strangers must see and hear for themselves. They need not think it necessary to address a meeting either in broken French, or through an interpreter. For without this, they can quite appreciate the Mission and understand its workings.

The Grange,
Edinburgh, June, 1879.

After I had finished this Preface, I received a letter from M. Saillens regarding the work at Marseilles of date 25th June (1879). The field has only been entered on; hut the accounts are cheering. “When we left Paris,” he writes,” we hoped and prayed that our efibrts at Marseilles might be crowned with success. But we had no idea that God would so richly answer our prayers. In less than three months we had three stations opened, and fourteen meetings a- week established. We saw, in vi Preface.

every station, the halls become too small in a very few weeks but now our statistics are as follows: —

«;++;«n-^ Weekly Weekly Bible Sewiugsiuingt,. A-dults. Childi-eu. Classes. Meetings.

Belle de Mai, 380 700 130 110 40

Mempenti, 600 1100 275 350 35

Endoume, 160 350

1140 2150 405 460 75

making more than 3000 per week, an average of 1000 a-station. We have not yet reached the mass of the population. Twenty stations would hardly do it. There is in that vast city of 350,000 inhabitants (all of whom live more outside than at home) an unlimited sphere of labour. The Lord has been gracious in preparing the hearts of the Christian people here to receive us kindly and to help us. Money has been found up to our present needs. These mercies make us sure that He will not refuse to help us onwards and to give us the means of extending considerably the work, which, I am sure, will develop itself. We have not been left without more definite proofs of His approval. A Reformed pastor told me the other day that he had noticed in his church fifty of our people from La Belle de Mai; seven of whom he has admitted lately to the Lord’s table. At the Free Church, also, several have been admitted. I have been set aside by sickness and obliged to take some rest. But our friends have well filled my place. May I ask an interest in your prayers 1 Our two Bible-women are overcharged with work. From all hands; from all cities; almost from every village, there comes the cry of the Macedonian. Oh that we French Christians may rise to the height of our calling.” H. B.

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