BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE. DR. MONOD * was a son of the late Rev. John Monod, of Paris. He had seven brothers and three sisters, all of whom, it is believed, survive him. Three of his brothers are in the ministry of the gospel-all evangelical, faithful, and most highly esteemed brethren. The oldest is the Rev. Dr. Frederic Monod, who is pastor of one of the churches in Paris, connected with the Free Church of France. The Rev. William Monod, another brother, is now pastor of a Protestant Church in Paris. The youngest brother is the Rev. Horace Monod, one of the French pastors at Marseilles. Dr. Adolphe Monod, as well as his brothers, was educated mainly at home, under private teachers and professors, and then, according to the liberal practice which prevails in France, he underwent an examination in one of the colleges of Paris, and, paying the usual fees, received his diploma as Bachelor of Letters. His theological studies, we believe, were pursued in Geneva, in the Theological department of the Academy (or University, as we should call it) of that city. For two or three years he preached to a French congregation at Naples, holding the post of chaplain to the Embassy of Prussia. From that city he was called to be one of the pastors of the National Protestant Church in Lyons, in France, when his great pulpit talents soon made him widely known. He was even chosen president of the consistory of that church. But he had not long been settled in the church in Lyons, before his mind was led by the grace and Spirit of God to embrace heartily the evangelical system. As soon as he had clearly apprehended Christ as the Son of God, as well as the Son of Man-as the only Mediator * Pronounced as if the d were lost: thus, Mono. between God and man-his preaching began to partake of the glorious change. At first, and for a while, the rich and worldly church of Lyons, to which he (with two other pastors, men of a very different spirit) ministered, were astonished. Soon dissatisfaction with truth began to manifest itself, and in a few months the distinguished but humble servant of Christ was compelled to resign his place, and open an independent chapel, on truly evangelical principles. About seventy people, mostly poor but pious persons, followed him. He commenced his labors in a large room in the third story of a private house. Soon it was filled to overflowing. It was again and again enlarged, until it held nearly four hundred people. As it could be enlarged no more, it was resolved to build a chapel or church in a more central part of the city. From Lyons, Dr. Monod was called, in 1836, to the Theological Seminary at Montauban, where he became Professor of Sacred Eloquence. This appointment he received from the hands of Baron Pétit, a Protestant nobleman of evangelical sentiments, who was for a considerable period Minister of Public Instruction in the reign of Louis Philippe. For several years Dr. Monod filled with great ability the professorship which he held in the only theological institution of the National Reformed Church of France. During that period he wrote several of his most valuable publications. In his vacations he visited Paris and other important cities, and was always heard, when he preached, by great crowds of people; or else he made missionary tours in the ancient provinces of Saintonge, Poitou, or other districts in southern and south-western France. The last seven or eight years of the life of Dr. Adolphe Monod were spent at Paris, where he preached the gospel with great effect, to large and delighted audiences. His labors, and those of Dr. Grandpierre and other distinguished brethren of the same school, have done much to make the evangelical doctrines known and respected among those who attend the churches of the Reformed body in that great and important city. It was on Sunday, April 16, 1856, that this honored servant of Christ ceased from his labors. His death-bed was one of intense suffering, and, at the same time, of glorious and gracious triumph. In the full and perfect assurance of his salvation through Christ, and in peace, he commended his spirit into the hands of his Heavenly Father. A few days previous to his decease, he was heard to say: |