Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. I.djvu/297

Rh partly clergy, and partly laymen. I once heard the text of the Canaanitish woman treated with a psychological profundity, and living power, which affected me in the highest degree. Each new speaker went deeper than his predecessor into the heart of the narrative. Amongst these, a Colonel Tronchisi distinguished himself. I listened and wept, as though I myself had been the woman of whom they were speaking. On other occasions the discourse and edification would be meagre enough. Too much latitude is given to the impulse of the moment.

I heard again, more than once, the gifted preacher to whom I had listened in the high-valley of La Lechevette, and always with great pleasure, though not so great as in the pine wood, under the open heavens. Count de Gasparin, also, gave religious discourses, and that to an immense number of hearers. I was present on one of these occasions, and I most heartily thanked the noble, gifted speaker, because he combated the Calvinistic doctrine of predestination. I cannot adopt his view of the mechanical inspiration of the Bible, nor believe the words of the Bible quand meme, according to his advice; neither do I find it edifying. But the man himself, I like.

The representative of the strict Calvinistic doctrine of predestination at the present time, in Geneva, is properly, the venerable C. Mallan, who built his own church there. His uncommon talents—his handsome person also, and his personal dignity, have gained for him a not inconsiderable number of hearers and—blind adherents. I had heard so much about him that I wished to become acquainted with him, and