the course of events. The two priests appeared to be quiet,
well-disposed men; they made no outward show, but were observed to be
going about quietly, from house to house, especially among the soldiers;
and every Sunday saw an increase in their congregation.

The count watched these proceedings with feelings of dismay. Monsieur
Laporte exerted himself among his congregation, and urged them to study
their Bibles, and to seek to live lives consistent with their Christian
profession. Many listened to him and followed his advice; but there
were not a few careless ones who went over to join the party of the
governor and the priests. The women were induced to go to the church to
listen to an organ which had been brought out from France, while one of
the priests, who was a good musician, instructed them in the art of
singing. Fresh saints were set up, and additional ornaments were
introduced, and on festal occasions the whole church was wreathed with
flowers, imitating the custom of the heathens at their feasts of
"Flora," and other festivals. These attracted the careless and giddy
among the young, who found the idolatrous system, which their fathers
had repudiated, well suited to their tastes. Thus rapidly the traitor
Villegagnon and his priests won over the larger part of the population.
In vain the elder people, who had seen the effects of Romanism in the
old country, warned them and protested against the fearful errors which
were being introduced. Many of the young girls and youths were induced
to go to confession and receive absolution for their past sins; the
result being that they sinned and sinned again with their eyes open,
under the belief that they could be again absolved. Morality, which had
been strictly maintained among the settlers, fast disappeared. The
priests now openly sold indulgences, and went from house to house
abusing those who refused to purchase them, and warned them that they
would be considered as Protestants and heretics. The count and other
Protestant elders, met and discussed what was to be done, but they had
to confess themselves powerless. The minister preached more earnestly,
and some few were won back to the truth; but the popular party still
increased daily. The governor, it was observed, promoted only professed
Romanists, and managed by degrees to dismiss the Protestant officers.

Villegagnon at length threw off the thin mask he had hitherto worn, and
declared that the majority