The country of France is hexagonal in form, about 600 miles from north to south, and about 528 miles from east to west, with an area of 207,170 sq. miles. It lies to the south and southeast of England. Contrary to popular conception, the city of New York lies considerably south of the southernmost point of France.
The climate of France, like that of England, is mitigated by the Gulf Stream, so that the mean annual temperature is nowhere lower than 48 F., and in the Mediterranean section it is 57 F. In many parts of France the winters are cold, but almost the entire country experiences a hot summer. Southern France is subtropical in its flora, where olives and figs are grown, and oranges, date-palms, and eucalyptus have been acclimatized. The rest of the country is much the same as the rest of western Europe, the north being well suited to pasture.
The French nation is formed of many different elements, causing a certain diversity, yet there is a strong national feeling. During the 19th century the population of France increased less than that of any other country (except Ireland) for which data exist. In 1901, 37% of the population lived in centers; 18,916,889 were males, and 19,533,899 were females. The world war, no doubt, has made many changes in the conditions prevailing in this country.
As early as the ninth century there were men of considerable prominence in France who preached against the worship of images, and the evils of the Romish church, yet France has been reckoned among the distinctly Roman Catholic countries until quite recently, and even yet, where it has not gone to utter infidelity, it savors more of that creed than any other. About the year 1110, Peter de Bruys (a native of France), rose against the church, and continued his preaching until he was burned alive in 1130. Immediately after this, an Italian named Henry took up the work until he was put to death in 1147. In the same century Peter Waldo, a pious merchant of Lyons, having been converted to Christ, went about preaching the gospel, and had the Gospels translated into the language of the people. He escaped the power of the church, and died a natural death in 1170. Although Wm. Farel (who was born toward the close of the 15th century, and lived to be over 75 years of age) and John Calvin were both French, the work of both of these is associated more with French Switzerland.
The result of the work of these servants of God was the establishment of the Huguenots, a Protestant faction, who, through many wars and persecutions, were finally granted a measure of religious liberty. In modern days, beloved J. N. Darby labored much in France, and wrote many of his works in that language, as well as translating the Bible into French. Other brethren followed, and today there are many assemblies of the Lord's people, gathered to His Name. Our brother Louis J. Germain seeks to spread the gospel, traveling about in a gospel auto van, preaching at fairs and markets. Lately brother Le Garrec, a converted priest who is identified with brother Germain in the breaking of bread, has given himself to gospel work in Brittany.
In 1905 a law was passed by which all the churches ceased to be recognized or supported by the State. Prior to that time, the State had supported three "religions"– the Roman Catholic, the Protestant (sub-divided into the Lutheran and Reformed), and Hebrew; while in Algeria the Mohammedan religion was recognized. In 1906 the Methodists began a work, and to-day have some 12 missionaries. The Baptists report 55 baptisms last year, and state that their work is increasing. The "Open Brethren" also have 8 or more missionaries in France, and no doubt there are also many others at work. Yet the cry goes up here, as everywhere, "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few." "Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth laborers into His harvest." R. J. L.