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scriptions for the relief of this distressed and suffering branch of the Christian Church, and on intimating their wishes to others their friends, they had the satisfaction of finding that a similar desire pervaded the congregation. A public collection was therefore appointed, which took place at the above Chapel on Sunday, the 24th of April, 1825, last, after suitable sermons in the morning and evening by the Rev. Joseph Chamberlain, and as the effect thereof we feel truly gratified in presenting to this laudable fund the sum of £127 8s. 6d. including thirteen pounds from several other friends at Staplehurst, in the county of Sussex. We have reason to expect that this sum may be further augmented from two or three branches of the same connection in different parts of the country, but as the final results cannot be ascertained until a few weeks hence, we deem it expedient to make the present communication, and at the same time to express our fervent hopes that, with due publicity, the plan may meet the general concurrence of the Protestant 'public, in support of the benevolent views implied in the liberal donations of His Majesty and many distinguished characters of this country, and may ultimately terminate in a settled national allowance that shall prove an effectual relief to the oppressed sufferers, and a permanent honour to the British government.

This connection of Protestant Dissenters have since increased their very liberal subscription, and it now amounts to £230 10s. 6d. The particulars are as follows:

At Providence Chapel, Grays-Inn-Lane, including 137. from Sta- £. s. d. plehurst, Sussex

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Other bodies of Dissenters have followed this good example, to the great increase of the Vaudois Fund. Some generous Roman Catholics, and among them a few Piemontese Nobles, have also contributed their assistance.-Note to Third Edition.

POSTSCRIPT TO THE SECOND EDITION.

289

"With the most heartfelt wishes that success may atyour future exertions in this excellent cause,

tend

"We have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient servants,

THOMAS BENSLEY, Clapham Rise,

CHRIST. GOULDING, Northampton Square, TRUSTEES.

"P. S. The collection will be made at Leicester on Sunday next, the 12th inst. At Grantham on Sunday the 19th inst."

It gladdens my heart to have such a concluding passage to my work to be thus assured that Protestants of all parties and denominations are likely to extend the hand of Christian fellowship, and to unite in succouring the descendants of those who transmitted to them their common faith.

U

POSTSCRIPT

TO THE

THIRD EDITION.

THE cause of the Waldenses continues to excite the compassionate sympathies of almost all the Protestant Communities in Europe. The Reformed Churches in France are making collections in their behalf, and 2500 francs were subscribed in Paris at the beginning of the present year.

The following letter will shew that the King of the Netherlands has followed the gracious example of the King of Great Britain, of the late Emperor Alexander, and the King of Prussia.

Translation of a Letter from the Belgian Secretary of State, to the Rev. P. Appia, in answer to his petition to His Majesty the King of the Netherlands.

"SIR,

"The Hague, October 28, 1825.

"The wants of the Churches of the Waldenses, which you represent, have made a strong impression on his Majesty's heart. The King has therefore cheerfully granted the prayer expressed in your address of the 20th inst.and orders have been issued that the object of your mission, and the interests of your flock should be advocated in all the Protestant Churches of this kingdom.

"His Majesty trusts this measure will increase the favourable disposition of his subjects towards your country

POSTSCRIPT TO THE THIRD EDITION.

291

men, who, as you say, have already had the benefit of their sympathy. In the mean time, and with the hope that fresh success will be added to the already favourable result of your application, His Majesty hastens to manifest the interest he takes in the situation of your Churches, and to present an offering on the altar of charity. I am therefore commanded to enclose the sum of one thousand florins, in the joint names of His Majesty and the Queen, and to assure you that their Majesties feel happy to have this opportunity of shewing to the Waldenses, that they have not forgotten their ancient attachment to their Family, and have been peculiarly pleased with the unanimous concern the Waldenses expressed, on occasion of the late disastrous events which afflicted this country.

"I remain, &c.

(Signed) "H. DE MEY DE STREEFKErk."

The concluding sentence of the above letter alludes to a subscription, for the relief of sufferers from the late inundations, which the Vaudois raised among themselves, amounting to 4800 francs, and to which the whole population contributed, in small sums, in gratitude for the many benefactions they had received from time to time from Holland.

The contributions in Holland, reported up to the 7th of March, 1826, amount to 30,000 florins.

The LONDON COMMITTEE have lately published a Report of their proceedings, of which the annexed is an abstract. "The principal objects which the Committee have in view, are to ESTABLISH AN HOSPITAL, TO ASSIST THE MINISTERS AND THOSE WHO ARE EDUCATING FOR THE MINISTRY, AND TO MAINTAIN SCHOOLS.

THE HOSPITAL.

"The want of an Hospital of their own, has been deeply felt by the Waldenses, being excluded from the Hospitals of Piedmont by reason of their Religion. The

accidents and maladies which assail the poor of a barren mountain district, the greater part of which is covered with snow during eight months in the year, require no explanation, for it is evident that numbers must perish every season for want of medical and surgical assistance. A suitable house and ground are already provided, and Mr. Thomas Coucourde (a native of the Valleys) has been appointed Physician and Steward to the Hospital, with a salary of 500 francs a year, with apartments in the building, and the use of the ground. The Hospital is expected to be opened for the reception of Patients, early in the spring of this year.

THE MINISTERS.

"The merits and distress of these exemplary men are stated above. Should the Committee succeed in obtaining the restitution of the Royal Grant, a competent provision will be secured for them, but a fund will still be required for those who are educating for the ministry. At present their only opportunity of pursuing studies to qualify them for holy orders, is to accept the offer of small exhibitions at the Universities of Lausanne and Geneva, which are granted by the Swiss Cantons. The inconveniences inseparable from this system need not be detailed, and it would be obviously a great benefit if the means could be afforded them of studying for their sacred profession at home, as they did in former times.

66 SCHOOLS.

"The Waldenses stand in great need of aid to enable them to instruct their children in the duties of religion. They require a superior degree of education, first, because the French language must be taught them in addition to their own, as no books of religious instruction or devotion, consistent with their own faith, are permitted to be circulated in Italian; and secondly, because the principles of religion must be fully and systematically explained to a peasantry, who are exposed to all the seductions of so

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