associations. Here he bade us go slowly on while he looked in upon a
sick man, explaining that he had to be doctor as well as minister. Again
he asked us to stop and share with him some of the grapes which a stout
young peasant-woman was bringing on her donkey from the Durance
vineyards, and which had no sweetness save in the good-will that offered
them. For all whom we met he had a cheery greeting or an affectionate
inquiry that showed familiar acquaintance with their concerns; and
occasionally a word or two suggested a truth or hope, aptly illustrated
in some passing incident, no matter how trifling or homely.

A storm was gathering in the mountains as we made our way back to
Pallons through the deepening shadows of the autumn afternoon. Before we
emerged from the desolate valley its gloom had grown almost intolerable;
and yet this was but a suggestion of the winter horrors which the
white-haired pastor at our side had faced for years in his regular
ministrations at the different hamlets we had visited. Speaking of the
five pastors now distributed over the field of which Neff assumed the
whole charge, he said with a modesty that was quite unaffected, "All
five together, we are not worth him alone" (_nous ne le valons pas_).
What we had seen that day convinced us that so far at least as concerned
himself his deprecation was unfounded, but in expressing it he echoed
the tone that seemed universal in the High Alps in reference to the
illustrious young pastor. Neff could not, of course, in his short career
accomplish the permanent revolution which he dreamed of and longed for.
At the same time, it cannot be said that his work has perished while not
only pastors but people feel so strongly the inspiration of that heroic
life.

JAMES M. BRUCE.