8

PIEDMONT, SAVOY, AND GENOA.*

It is very unsafe to speak of the religious movement now going forward in Italy, inasmuch as we should expose those faithful disciples of Christ to new and more violent persecutions. We shall therefore write in such a manner as not to commit any one.

As for Piedmont, however, there is nothing to fear; and we may speak freely of all that we have seen in relation to the work of God in that happy country. After Belgium, Piedmont is the only place on the continent of Europe where full liberty of conscience and worship is enjoyed. Piedmont, as every one knows, is now a constitutional kingdom: it contains four millions and a half of inhabitants, and is divided into five parts, the dukedom of Piedmont, that of Savoy, that of Genoa, the county of Nice, and the island of Sardinia.

In the dukedom of Piedmont, on the skirts of the Cottian Alps, are the Waldenses; those Christians who, in spite of so many violent persecutions, have never bowed their neck to the imperious Church of Rome. It is now five years since our dear brethren were elevated to an equal rank with human beings by their late magnanimous and generous King, Charles Albert. The Waldenses number about twenty-three thousand souls; and, now that the mighty hand of God has brought them out of the land of Egypt, and from the house of bondage, they, like the people of Israel, will become a numerous nation, and the light of the Gospel, pent up for ages in their humble valleys, will be dispread over all Italy.

The Waldenses now possess several churches, a considerable number of schools, a fine college at La Torre, a hospital, and some Missionary stations in Italy, and among the Italians out of Italy. In a short time we shall see an establishment opened for the refuge of those Italian Priests (provided they be sincere) who quit the Church of Rome, where they may receive necessary instruction, in order to be employed in the Lord's vineyard as Pastors, evangelists, colporteurs, &c. In

Translated from that established and exceedingly interesting Italian periodical, L'Eco di Savonarola, published by Partridge and Oakey. It is from the pen, if we mistake not, of a former Professor of Theology in a Neapolitan University, who has lately joined the Waldensian Church.

Turin, capital of the kingdom, a handsome church is in course of erection, in one of the finest parts of the city. And here it should be observed that the idea of magnificence and elegance did not originate with the Waldenses, but that the Government imposed it on them, as an indispensable condition, that the church should be of such a description, or none at all. This sacred edifice will be opened with public solemnity as soon as possible; and may God grant that the glad tidings of salvation in the Lord Jesus be published therein faithfully. The Waldenses now enjoy another benefit, -liberty of the press. They have published for some time past a monthly journal, under the title of "The Good News," (La Buona Novella,) for a yearly subscription of about six shillings. We warmly recommend this Christian paper to those of our friends in England who are fond of the Italian language, and wish to keep themselves informed of what relates to the religious and political advance of the Waldensian Church. The Buona Novella, like the Eco di Savonarola, has had the high honour of being put into the Index of Prohibited Books, and consequently has excited the curiosity of very many Roman Catholics, who, attracted by its perusal, have become its most zealous supporters. The Waldensian Church has lately received into its bosom, not only many of the people, but also some personages of distinction, such as noblemen, ecclesiastics, literary and scientific men, and even two ex-Prelates from Romanism. With the exception of the extreme Republicans, every good patriot, every lover of what is good indeed, has now set his eye on the Waldenses, and relies on their doctrine, in great part, for the future hopes of Italy. We do not mean to say that the movement, in their case, is entirely religious. With many it is not a necessity of the soul, but a sure means for the attainment of a political end. They are now fully persuaded that Popery is the only obstacle to their attainment of the liberty, independence, and unity of the Peninsula. Hence they make every possible effort, in order to contribute, on one hand, to the fall of Romanism; and, on the other, to the triumph of true Christianity, as it is professed by the Waldensian Church. The Lord, however, frequently brings good out of evil; and

even the passions of men are sometimes, in His hand, instruments of justice and of mercy too. Let us pray, then, for the Waldensian Church, that it may continue to maintain intact the sacred deposit of the faith in the Lord Jesus, and that the favour of the world may not beguile it from its ancient simplicity.

Although the Waldenses are members of the great Italian family, they have hitherto made use of the French language. The reason of this was that when the Roman Inquisition had destroyed all their Barbes with fire and sword, not being permitted to possess a Theological College for the preparation of their teachers, they were obliged to obtain foreign Pastors from French Switzerland, and to send to Geneva young men intended for the sacred ministry.* Consequently, the Italian language gradually disappeared from the Valleys, and the French became their only dialect. Now, that Italy is to them no longer a cruel step-mother, but a loving mother, the Waldenses do all they can to restore the primitive language. Not being able to get rid of the French all at once, they preach alternately in French and Italian. Henceforth their Pastors and their schoolmasters will not be installed in their respective posts, unless they have first learnt to speak Italian well. In this they have great need of help; and in our opinion it would not be amiss to form a special committee in England for this object. Whenever there may be any willing to take up our proposal, we shall be glad to inform them of a plan we have ourselves conceived. The Gospel, then, is preached freely in Piedmont, and many souls pass from death to life, and from the power of Satan to the liberty of the sons of God. The holy Scriptures are no longer an unknown book, but the daily food of very many souls. Among the various things which the Waldenses have published for the first time in Italian, we may mention their own history, ably written by that worthy man, Amadeo Bert, Pastor of the Waldensian church in Turin. This history has been read with extreme avidity throughout all Italy, not excepting Rome, and has visibly diminished the prejudices against the

An important fact, which is alone sufficient to account for their departure from the original Waldensian and primitive discipline.

Christians of the Valleys. We hear that a similar history, but more detailed, has been actually prepared by a young Neapolitan of high talent. Even the Roman Catholics-not Jesuits-have rendered applause to the just emancipation of the Waldenses, by means of theatrical representations. The great philosopher, Vincenzo Gioberti, in his last work on Italy, has made most honourable mention of the people of the Valleys, their religious principles, and the purity of their morals. Their King himself, worthy son of the immortal Charles Albert, acts towards the Waldenses as an affectionate father, and has more than once given them the clearest proofs of a particular attachment.

As for the missions which the Waldenses have now undertaken to different parts of Italy, we cannot say anything about them, since the lynx-eyed Inquisition is everywhere on the look-out for new victims, to sacrifice them to its infernal divinity. Before concluding, however, what we have to say of Piedmont, we must inform our readers that a Christian lady has promised us to provide for the maintenance of a colporteur in Turin, or in some other free city of Italy, provided they can guarantee the sincerity and zeal of the person chosen for that service. How much it is to be desired that such a noble and generous example should have many imitators! (After detailing proposals for following out this beginning, the writer asks:) Did not the religious movement among the Roman Catholics in Belgium and the south of France originate with colporteurs?

In Turin, besides the Waldensian Church, an evangelical congregation has been lately organized of about five hundred Italians, all come over from the Church of Rome. The shepherds of this new flock are the Signori Meille and Jumena. These two faithful Ministers of the Gospel incessantly labour for the conversion of souls. They have won the esteem and affection of all Christians. Signor Meille, especially, editor of the Buona Novella, has filled us with delight, when listening to his learned and powerful discourses.

There is a daily paper published in Turin,-" The Gazette

Now dead, and it is reported that he died by poison.

of the People," (La Gazzetta del Popolo,) at the moderate price of one soldo each Number. This journal is a sworn enemy of the Priests and their superstitions; and, without being itself evangelical, it takes the side of the Gospel, and demands a religious reformation. Speaking of the Church of Rome, it calls it a shop, and the Priests hucksters. The Gazzetta del Popolo is one of the most popular publications in Piedmont.

The dukedom of Savoy is an extremely barren soil. The good seed of the Gospel has been scattered there in abundance, but has not yet produced any fruit. The Savoyards are more French than Italian. Ignorance and superstition prevail among them to the last degree. They regard Victor Emmanuel as a heretic, because he is a constitutional Monarch. Their Priests are lofty bigots, and rabid defenders of "the most holy Inquisition." Yet we may say that Savoy, being so near French Switzerland, has had the Gospel preached within its borders more than any other part of Italy: so true is it that man labours quite in vain unless the hand of God be with him. But let us not despair. Sooner or later, even among the Savoyards, many dead Lazaruses will arise out of their graves, and give glory to the God of mercy. now, amidst this deep darkness, a feeble ray of light does penetrate. In a shed upon a hill-side, five or six shepherds meet every Sunday to read the Bible, sing spiritual hymns, and offer prayer. O! how sweet and consolatory is the promise of the Saviour, "Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them!"

And even

The dukedom of Genoa is more infidel than superstitious. If Piedmont attaches itself to constitutional monarchy, and Savoy to absolute monarchy, the Genovesato is given to republicanism. In Genoa, a maritime and commercial city, many Bibles were sold in 1848, and since; and a considerable number of religious books and tracts have been thrown into circulation. The Waldenses hope to be able to build a church in Genoa also, as soon as they shall have completed that of Turin. An Italian friend of ours, lately returned from that part of Italy, where he spent some months as a Missionary, has related so many very interesting facts, that