vernment—going from a monarchy to a republic, and then back again to a monarchy; through all these changes seeking for freedom,—but seeking in vain, because they have it not in their own hearts. Vain is it for man to look for freedom without, when he is destitute of it within. This truth they are themselves now beginning to see, and this fact is the most hopeful sign for them that has yet appeared: the first step towards remedying an evil is to be conscious of it. The following extract from an address recently delivered by a French gentleman[1] in London, sets forth the truth above-mentioned in a very striking manner:—
"People abroad are often surprised at the restless spirit of the French nation; seeing the rapidity with which they pass from one government to another, always in motion and never satisfied; and after all their agitation, wars, and revolutions, they remain much the same as before. The reason of it all is, that France has no true religion. There is no ground in my country on which to build civil and religious liberty, and social and political prosperity. I do not believe that any form of government can do us real good, or that there is any politician in the world can do us good, so long as the Gospel has not taken strong hold of us. The Gospel is what we want. Frenchmen cannot understand or practice freedom, because we have not practised submission to God's will."[2]
- ↑ M. Leon Pilatte.
- ↑ A similar view was expressed by M. Guizot, in an address at the annual meeting, held in May, 1863, for the encouragement of Primary Instruction among Protestants in France. "His speech," says the reporter, "was a warm exhortation to a religious life, as the only hope of salvation for France: and in his
