Emphasis Preaching Journal

During World War II a small village in France made an extraordinary statement about solidarity of the faith community. The village of Le Chambon consisted primarily of Hugenots. As the Nazi presence in France increased and deportation of French Jews began, this village took a great risk for its faith. Jewish children were allowed to come there and live with the villagers in their homes. The children became part of almost every family in town. Since people in small towns know everyone else and their children, there was no way for the rescue to proceed without the support of everyone. One small admission to the Gestapo or Vichey authorities would have betrayed the cause. No one wavered. The only person arrested was the minister who continued to preach about fascism despite the risks. The children attended school, played in the park, and were visible in every way. It may be that even the German soldiers occupying the town later in the war chose to look the other way. Everyone in town did their part, and about a thousand children were saved.
-- Frye