Conversion of Count Gasparin.
ADOLPH MONOD, one of the most gifted and faithful evangelical ministers of the present century, preached Christ crucified and his free grace, to his church in Lyons, France. One Sunday, preaching from the text, “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life,” he spoke of the person of Christ as the true God-man. He announced at the same time that the next Sabbath he should show how men could be saved through faith in this God-man. But the authorities of this church were full of Catholic and other errors, and opposed to a doctrine so truly evangelical. Hence, they informed Monod that if he did not omit the sermon he had announced, they would have him arrested, and brought before the prefect, and dismissed from his office. Monod, notwithstanding, preached his sermon, and the authorities made their complaint. The prefect demanded the two sermons of the accused, and Monod sent them to him. The prefect was a Catholic Count—Count de Gasparin. He came home at evening to his wife, and found the sermons. He never liked sermons, especially evangelical sermons. But he was a man who discharged faithfully the duties of his office. It was necessary that the sermons should be read. He came to his wife with the manuscripts in his hand, complaining that he would have to give up the whole evening to this irksome and protracted labor. She offered, as her husband's worthy help-meet, to read the sermons with him, so that the task might seem to him less tedious. They began. They read the first. With every page they grew more interested. They forgot that it was evening and night. That which was at first an official duty became a service of the heart. They finished the first, and eagerly grasped the second. And what was the result? As a magistrate—as a prefect—Gasparin was forced to deprive Monod of his place, because all the authorities demanded it. But he and his wife became evangelical Christians; yes, living, joyful, and happy believers in Christ. They found that night the pearl of great price, and it has remained in the family. Their son, Count Agenor de Gasparin, has long been the head and pillar of the evangelical party in France.—Sel.