Protestantism in France.

Bruce Herald, Volume IX, Issue 803, 16 May 1876, Page 6

Protestantism in France.

Protestantism is disseflt in France, tolerated but inferior. Legally there is no State Church in the country, or, at least, thotwo Protestant Churches, being paid by the Stite, and the Jewish religion, which is paid alib, are as much Shate Churches as their gre*, siater of Rome ; but, socially, the difFarenei is as great a 9 if s'no alone wero recognised by tho State. The Romish clergy have hid the subtlety and skill to make women believe that there is something impious in other religions, There ia a very general impree-

sion among them that Proteatantß are not Christians, and the iinpreßßion is bo far founded on fact that a great number of French Protestants, being really Unitarians, would have not been considered Christian by Dr Arnold. .As for Jews, the old feeling of horror against them still survives in the mind of goad Catholic women. I remember an amusing instance of this. Four young gentlemen from a great school in Paris came to stay a few days with me, and were invited to a uobleman's house ia the country, where there was a young lady — a 'model young lady, according to French ideas — with all the proper ignorances and prejudices. She had a brother who wa3 struck by the idea that oae of the young gentlemen had rather a Jewish face, and this suggested to his youthful mind tho idea of getting a little fun out of the situation. He

put on a very grave face, went to his sister ard told her that the unfortunate guest was really a Jew, not only by race but by religion. My young friends were invited for several days, bub the "Jew" did not find them very enjoyable. His place was fixed tor him next tha young lady at dinner, but when lie sat down she rose with an offended air, and went as far off as possible, asking some one elso to take her chair. Whenever he tried to speak to her, she turned away from him with a look of horror. There were dances in the evening ; he asked her to dance, she refused point-blank, without even tha usual form of politeness. This lasted three days. On the fourth, seeing that she maintained the same attitude of repulsion, he determined to ask her for an explanaticn, and did so in plain terms. " Little explanation is necessary," said the young lady, " bow is it possible for me to associate with one who has cruciliod my Saviour ?"' " I cannot tell what you mean. I never urucined anybody." " Yl'U are a Jew, and it is you Jewa who did it !"