may, be certain, gentlemen, that Switzerland will never become the hot-bed of clerical fanaticism. We are assured that God will never abandon that home of liberty, that theatre of religious events which, with the names of Zwingle and Calvin, have borne the blessings of the Reformation to the most distant coast of your distant land. He will remember the work of our fathers. He will inspire the faithful preachers of his Word, the churches and societies jealous of his glory, with a heroic and simple faith. He will destroy the best-laid plans of the enemy. Therefore, gentlemen, let Switzerland hold a large place in your affections. Pray for her in this her day of crisis. Often does she direct her gaze toward you. Remember her also; and may a powerful current of sympathies traverse the seas like that submarine wire which enables us to maintain uninterrupted communication with each other!"

Rev. ANTONIO CARRASCO was one of the leaders of the new reformation in Spain. He was born in Malaga, January 19, 1843, and was consequently only thirty-one years of age when he closed his career on earth. When a youth of sixteen, he became acquainted with the pure Gospel at Gibraltar, gave his heart to Christ, and joined a little band of Biblereaders which Matamoros had gathered around him at Malaga. Persecution soon began, and he was imprisoned for two years, with Matamoros and six other Spaniards, for no other crime but holding devotional meetings and reading the Scriptures. They were then condemned to hard labor as galley-slaves. The Evangelical Alliance sent a deputation to Madrid in May, 1863; and, although not admitted to the presence of Queen Isabella, it obtained their release. Their sentence was changed from penal servitude to exile. Carrasco went to Geneva, and there studied theology for five years with Pronier and Merle d'Aubigné. A younger brother of his is now studying in the same seminary. Matamoros took refuge in Lausanne, and died in the arms of his friend Carrasco. After the expulsion of Queen Isabella from the throne of Spain, in September, 1868, and the consequent proclamation of religious liberty, Carrasco returned to Spain, and entered with great zeal on the work of evangelization. He became the pastor of the Free Church in Madrid, which he gathered and acceptably served till his departure for New York, intending to return to it with new vigor. Its membership gradually increased to about 700, and embraced all classes of society, though mostly of the poor and lowly. It is the largest of the twenty-seven Protestant congregations organized since 1868. Carrasco was considered the ablest, as he was the best educated, Protestant preacher in Spain. "He was," writes an English evangelist from Madrid, Dec. 9, 1873, "our principal representative, the mouthpiece of Protestantism in Spain. None like he had that marvelous command of language and that felicity of expression that carry away an audience." He was also the President of the Protestant Synod, and made frequent visits to the scattered congregations throughout Spain. Mr. Castelar, himself the first orator and statesman of his country, regarded him as one of the most eloquent speakers, and wished to engage his services for the Spanish Republic; but Carrasco preferred, in poverty, to preach the Gospel, and to labor for the spiritual regeneration of the most bigoted Romish nation on earth. He was, however, a decided Republican, and an ardent advocate of the abolition of slavery in the Spanish colonies, in behalf of which he addressed, early last year, in the hall of the Grand Opera in Madrid, an audience of three thousand hearers with great power. Two days before his departure from New York he made, in Dr. Adams's church, alongside of the converted Brahmin, Sheshadri, an earnest and vigorous speech in French and Spanish, and kindled an enthusiasm for the evangelization of his country which manifested itself at once in liberal donations for his young and struggling church. One lady alone gave him, just before he sailed, four hundred dollars in gold for the support of a colporteur. He leaves behind him a young widow with three children, one of whom was born while he was in this country.

These beloved brethren lingered after the close of the Conference for a few weeks, to promote the great objects to which their lives were consecrated at home. They obtained from friends in America some funds and promises of future aid for their fields of usefulness, and endeared themselves to many Christian people in our country. They embarked in the French steamer, the ill-fated Ville du Havre, November 15, 1873, and occupied the same state-room on the ship. The awful disaster that overtook the vessel on Saturday, the 22d day of November, at 2 A.M., and involved the death of the majority of her passengers, is part of the mournful history of the year 1873, and shed a gloom over many families of our own country. The steamer came into collision with the sailing vessel Loch Earn, was struck on the side in which was the state-room of our friends,

and sank in twelve minutes. It is probable that Mr. Carrasco was killed at the moment of the collision, as he was never seen afterward. Professor Pronier, fearfully injured about his head, and profusely bleeding, appeared for a moment on deck in an almost delirious state, and, going below again to his friend, sank with the steamer into the bosom of the deep. His last words to Rev. Emile Cook were words of pious resignation, "Nous sommes entre les mains de Dieu." Thus died two noble martyrs to the cause of Christian union.*

When the distressing intelligence reached us first by telegraph, early in December, we made inquiries as to the condition in which the bereaved families of our delegates were left, and it was ascertained that they were entirely destitute of this world's goods.

The sympathies of Christian hearts in the United States were awakened, and at once it was resolved to make some expression in behalf of the widows and fatherless.

At the meeting of the Executive Committee of the Evangelical Alliance of the United States, held in the Bible House, December 22, the following preamble and resolutions, submitted by Rev. William Adams, D.D., were adopted, and cordially commended to the Christian people of this country:

Greatly afflicted by that mysterious Providence which has consigned to a watery grave Rev. Professor Pronier, of Geneva, and Rev. Antonio Carrasco, of Madrid, when on their homeward voyage from the recent Conference in this city, be it

Resolved, That, cherishing with great affection the memory of these brethren, who endeared themselves to so many during their recent visit to this country, we extend to their desolate families, in this sudden and terrible bereavement, our tenderest Christian sympathy.

As an expression of this affection and sympathy, and in cordial obedience to the Divine teaching to love not in word only, but in deed and in truth," be it further

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Resolved, That this Alliance will undertake to raise a memorial fund, to be held by the Finance Committee of the Evangelical Alliance in this country, who shall be empowered to expend the same, or its (semi-annual) income, according to their best judgment, to aid in the support of Mrs. Pronier and Mrs. Carrasco, and in the education of their children.

Resolved, That all churches sympathizing with the Evangelical Alliance be hereby requested to take a collection on the third Sabbath in January, or as near that time as possible, in furtherance of this object, confident that such an act will not only convey needful relief to the distressed, but will prove a means of promoting a new and greater interest in Christian brotherhood and Christian evangelism throughout the world.

Before this official action of the Evangelical Alliance, a large and deeply-affected congregation was gathered in the church on Madison Square, December 14, 1873, when addresses were made by Rev. Drs. Adams, Crosby, Schaff, Tyng, and Bishop Janes, and prayer was offered by Rev. Dr. Murray. A collection was raised, amounting to more than $900. On the same day, in the Broadway Tabernacle, Rev. Dr. Taylor, pastor, a collection of $450 was taken.

These sums were largely increased by private donations from sundry individuals. One gentleman of the city gave $1000. Another, who himself lost a daughter in the same shipwreck, made a thank-offering of $100 for the rescue of his son, who escaped the same fate by swimming to the Loch Earn. Many sent in their contributions anonymously. Before the close of the year the sums contributed amounted to nearly $4000, and it is hoped that they will soon be increased to $10,000.

It is proposed to put this memorial fund into the hands of the Finance Committee of the Alliance, to be applied, at their discretion, for the benefit of the widows and children who have been so suddenly and terribly bereaved. Contributions may be sent to Caleb T. Rowe, Esq., Treasurer of the Evangelical Alliance, Bible House, New York.

Three other delegates to the Conference, all from Paris, were also on board the Ville du Havre: Rev. Messrs. Th. Lorriaux, Emile F. Cook, and N. Weiss; but we rejoice to know that, after heroic exertions to save some fellow-passengers, they escaped with their lives, and after many perils by sea arrived safely at home. Mr. Lorriaux was a great comfort to the rescued passengers on the Trimountain, and is spoken of by them in most grateful terms. Mr. Weiss was too sick to leave the Loch Earn, and Mr. Cook kindly remained

* We blush in the name of our common humanity, not to say Christianity, to record that the notorious L'Univers, of Paris, the chief organ of Ultramontane Romanism, represented this disaster as a righteous judgment of God on the Ville du Havre for carrying so many "false prophets" on board, especially the apostate Carrasco! Has the editor of that paper (since suspended) never read of the story of the Galileans, and the severe rebuke of our Lord? (Luke xiii., 1–5).

with him in the ship, which was severely injured by the collision, and ultimately perished; but in the very moment of this second shipwreck our two brethren came in sight of the British Queen, which, after some days, brought them to the shores of England. Mr. Weiss recovered; but Mr. Cook, who on his arrival in Paris was hardly recognized, in his strange clothing, by his own wife and children, is temporarily disabled, in consequence of the awful excitement of several weeks, and is now in the South of France. Special efforts are now making to repair their losses independently of the Pronier and Carrasco fund, and the Executive Committee has voted a contribution to each from the General Conference fund.

In the mean time their friends in Europe are active in the same charity. The good people of Geneva have outdone us in their exertions for the Pronier family, and have adopted the children as orphans of the Free Church.

We see, then, already a silver lining to this cloud. The calamity which has overtaken two eminent servants of Christ will be overruled, in the providence of God, for the advancement of his kingdom in Switzerland and Spain, and throughout the world. We recognize his hand in this affliction, and humbly and devoutly bow to the will of Him whose footsteps are in the mighty deep, and who doeth all things well.

P.S.-After the above was set in type, the whole sum of ten thousand dollars, which it was proposed to raise for this charity, has been secured, and even more, by contributions from many churches and benevolent individuals. The whole thing was done with little effort, and with the utmost promptness and cheerfulness. As one of many specimens, I quote a remark from a letter of the Rev. Dr. John Hall (January 23), inclosing a check for $1515.75: "Of this sum, $1052.50 came to me in checks, and the balance in cash, many of the contributors begging that no publication be made of their names, and some of those who handed me the money withholding their names. I never saw more cheerful giving.

Our brethren in Switzerland, as I just learn from Dr. Coulin, of Geneva, have raised with the same promptness even the double sum for the Pronier family alone (100,000 fr., or $20,000), and 30,000 fr. ($6000) for the Carrasco family. Well done, good old Switzerland!

We greatly rejoice in this practical illustration of the idea of Christian union, which the Evangelical Alliance aims to manifest and to strengthen. It is the best close of this volume. It was our blessed Lord who, by his Spirit of love, has directed the General Conference and inspired this beautiful charity. To him be all the glory!

P. S.

New York, January 27, 1874.

EMILE F. COOK.

BEFORE going to press, intelligence was received from Paris that another of our delegates, the Rev. EMILE F. COOK, after surviving two shipwrecks, died in the prime of life (44 years of age) at Hyères, in the South of France, January 29, 1874, and was buried at Nîmes, February 2, where he spent a part of his youth, and where he was married. His last words to his wife were: "Do not despond, every thing is for the best; I have the peace of God, I have it." He maintained to the last that he did well in going to America,

and had no cause to regret it. He leaves a widow and seven children, the oldest a girl of 17, the youngest a baby of fifteen months, without means of support. His funeral was attended by a large and deeply-moved congregation and twenty-one ministers of the Gospel. Rev. M. Babut, Rev. M. Lelièvre, and others paid touching tribute to his memory, as an amiable gentleman, a devoted Christian, and a useful pastor. A full report is

given in L'Evangelist of Nîmes, February 5, a paper once edited by himself, and now by his friend and fellow-delegate, Rev. M. Lelièvre.

Emile Cook was the son of the Rev. Dr. Charles Cook, the father of Methodism in France and in Switzerland. He was born in Niort (Deux-Sèvres), 1830, educated in Lausanne and the Wesleyan institutions in England, ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1854, and labored in several missionary stations in France, and, since 1866, as pastor of the French Wesleyan congregation in Paris. During the siege in 1870 he converted his church and house into a hospital, and was unremitting in his attention to the sick and wounded. He was also, for the last two years, President of the Wesleyan Conference in France. While in this country last autumn, as delegate of the Paris Committee of the Alliance to the General Conference, he endeared himself, as a lovely and manly Christian character, to all who became personally acquainted with him. He was greatly delighted with his visit to America, although not in good health at the time, and most grateful for the kind reception he received. So he expressed himself to me on his last visit, with Mr. Weiss, on the day before his departure. The only drawback to his pleasure was when he thought of the feeble, struggling Protestantism in his own native and beloved France, as contrasted with the powerful Protestantism of this country. "Pray for France," was his request; and "France for Jesus alone," was his highest wish.

After the shipwreck of the Ville du Havre he remained, in the heroic spirit of Christian self-denial, with his sick friend and fellow-delegate, the Rev. N. Weiss, on board the Loch Earn, and took such good care of him that the latter acknowledges that under God he owes his life to Cook. He conducted devotions with the officers and sailors every day. When, after long and terrible sufferings, they came in sight of the British Queen, just as the Loch Earn was about to sink, the captain turned to Cook, and said, "Your prayers have saved us." We have already referred to his arrival in Paris, and his departure for the South of France to restore his shattered health. At first he seemed to recover, and hoped soon to return to his work, but at last succumbed to the shock of the terrible disaster. His wife bears the loss with Christian resignation, and feels thankful that she was permitted to take care of her husband in his last moments.

Cook takes now his place with Pronier and Carrasco as a martyr of the General Conference and the cause of Christian union. The same charity which came so promptly and cheerfully to the aid of the families of our brethren from Geneva and Madrid, will at once be set in motion for the family of our brother from Paris; and the whole work, I trust, will be accomplished in a few weeks. On Monday, February 16, the Ministers' Meeting of the Methodist Episcopal Church in New York, after listening to the sad news and an appeal from Dr. Schaff, resolved to raise five thousand dollars for the benefit of the family of brother Cook, and appointed a committee, consisting of the Rev. Drs. Foss, Curry, Crooks, Judge Fancher, and others, to carry out the resolution. On Sunday evening, February 22, a memorial service was held in St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church, in Fourth Avenue, in which the pastor, Dr. Foss, Dr. Adams, Dr. Schaff, and Judge Fancher made addresses, and a liberal collection was taken up. A similar meeting was held in Brooklyn. The Executive Committee of the Alliance, on Monday, February 23, passed resolutions of sympathy with the Cook family similar to those reported in the case of Pronier and Carrasco. About two thousand dollars are already secured, and, more than this, a new and stronger interest has been kindled in the evangelization of France. So we may well say with our departed brother, now resting in heaven from his labors, "Every thing is for the best." The friends of the Alliance in Europe also will not deny themselves the privilege of manifesting their practical sympathy with "the fatherless and widows in their affliction." "And now abideth faith, hope, charity; but the greatest of

these is charity."

New York, February 23, 1874.