152 Memoir respecting the Waldenses. the attacks of troops sent against them; and, in short, overcoming every obstacle that presented itself in their progress. Arrived, at length, at the church of Guigon (a hamlet annexed to Pral), they engaged in worship, sang the seventy-fourth Psalm, and their colonel and pastor, Arnaud, preached on the 129th Psalm. But even after their return, they had frequent and severe skirmishes with their enemies, displaying upon all occasions a degree of valour and fortitude that has been seldom surpassed. One cannot, however, but regret, that M. Arnaud's account of their return affords too many proofs that they possessed more of the martial than the evangelic spirit; the same which at an earlier period characterized Zisca and those of the Hussites who followed his standard. After several unsuccessful efforts to dispossess this warlike company of Waldenses, the Duke of Savoy at length concluded a peace with them, and permitted the return of their wives and children. Hence the origin of the present race of the inhabitants of the valleys, a population of seventeen thousand souls. Since their return, their residence as before, has been attended with numerous hardships. To mention but a few they have been compelled to desist from work on the Roman Catholic festivals; forbidden to exercise the profession of physician or surgeon; or to purchase lands; and very often their children have been stolen in order to be educated in the Roman Catholic faith, in a large and not inelegant building at Pignerol, called the Hospice, established for the express purpose of converting the Vaudois.* This last instance of cruelty, added to many similar atrocities, so ingepiously adapted to embitter the fountain of domestic happiness, too forcibly recalls that affecting language of the prophet:" In Ramah was there a voice heard, lamentation and weeping, and great mourning: Rachael weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not." Thoughts of this nature would naturally occur to the mind of a stran The institution, however, has been attended with little success, the greater number of converts being persons who, for misconduct, were no longer respected in the valleys. ger when finding himself actually in the valleys: the first evening especially, when I held in my arms the very lovely child of Mrs. P. of St. Jeau, I could not but picture to myself, again and again, the agony of those parents "who wandered in deserts and in mountains, in dens and in caves of the earth," in that yery neighbourhood, equally unable to succour themselves and their tender offspring. To whom could this "noble army of martyrs" look for support but to "the Holy Ghost the Comforter"? And what hope could sustain their souls but that of "a better country, that is, a heavenly"? It may be thought by some, that the enemies of the Vaudois were chiefly tempted to injure them by avarice, and that they wished to rob them of their lands; but, however this may have mingled, as it did, no doubt, with other motives, the mainspring of the opposition seems to have been a rooted antipathy, because they professed doctrines and engaged in worship that differed from the Roman Catholic.t For, as to their lands, contrasting their bleak air, narrow valleys and barren mountains, with the soft climate and the fertile plain of Piedmont, they might much more It is through the necessity of preserving a due regard to historic truth, and of maintaining the cause of a much-injured people, that circumstances of cruelty have been related so dishonourable to the Roman Catholic Church. It is hoped, however, that the writer will not be supposed to foster that antipathy against its members which he has so strongly condemned when it has appeared on their part. The principles of their church are unquestionably such as promote a spirit of persecution; but, happily, many of its members dissent from its spirit, and cultivate that Divine Nature itself. Whilst bigots have Christian love which is a transcript of the agitated the church and the world, they have pursued their course of humble piety. The writer has been always delighted to see or hear of Catholics of this description, and be has had this happiness whilst on the Continent. Even with regard to the massacres mentioned in this memoir, some of the assassins, probably, through a blind zeal, thought they did God service. To excuse in such a case is impossible; but one would wish in some measure to exte nuate, for so did our Saviour upon the cross: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Memoir respecting the Waldenses. Jastly express their surprise than Caractacus his, when he saw Rome, that any should envy them their humble cottages and hard-earned possessions. As it is probably what most readers would wish, I will here attempt a brief description of their valleys.There are three-Luzerne, La Perouse, and St. Martin. That of Luzerue is the principal, and comprises the following communantes, or parishes. 1. Rora, situate in the mountains, which produces chesnuts and wheat. 2. St. Jean, the entrance to the valley from Piedmont, and the finest spot belonging to the Vaudois. The eye is there pleased with a fine assemblage of meadows, gardens, orchards, and vineyards: mulberry trees are also cultivated for the use of the silkworms, which bring in a good profit. The neighbouring eminences command an extensive view of the plain of Piedmont. 3. Angrogue, in the mountains, produces forage, chesnuts and fruit, but little wine. Here there was, in ancient times, a college for the education of ministers. 4. Latour, a borough-town in the vale; its vicinity producing wine, wheat, fruits, forage and chesnuts. "Not far from this town there is a cave in the hills, capable of containing three or four hundred persons, where, providentially, the Vaudois found a place of refuge when persecuted by their enemies. In this cave they prepared provisions in an oven, and, it is understood, resided occasionally for some time, while the danger was imminent; and here, in such perilous circumstances, it is not to be doubted that in imitation of their Redeemer, they frequently "offered up supplication with strong crying and tears unto Him that was able to save them from death." 5. Higher up the valley is Villard, producing wheat and chesnuts, but very little wine. In passing by, I noticed people with goitres, so often seen in the Valais, and described by Mr. Coxe, in his Travels through Switzerland; but I think there are few if any idiots.-In the Valais they are numerous. 6. Bobbi, still farther in the valley, borders on Dauphine. In this parish the scenery is stamped with an awful grandeur. On the mountain opposite 133 the village you see snow even as late as September; and now and then you meet with a fine cascade in the neighbourhood. The Pelis, which descends towards Bobbi, and then runs along the valley of Luzerne, is in some places a very impetuous torrent it takes its source above the Alp of Pra, and loses itself in the Po. In this parish you find little produce; scarcely any thing except cattle and chesnuts. La Perouse is an extremely narrow valley, watered by the Cluson. Several villages in it, formerly inhabited by the Vaudois, are now exclusively so by Roman Catholics. They have only three parishes : 1. Pramol, situate on the moun, tains; its produce wheat and fruit. 2. Pomaret, in which the hill and vale produce wine. 3. St. Germain, which is more agreeable and productive than the two others. Between the valleys of Luzerne and La Perouse is situate the parish of Prarustix (comprising Rocheplate and St. Barthelimi), which produces good wine, wheat and fruit. The valley of St. Martin is watered by the Germanasque. It is extremely narrow; in fact, all the lands are on the sides of the mountains. This vale comprises :— 1. Pral, situate among the higher mountains, which are covered with snow about nine months in the year. There is little wheat or fruit; the chief resource is cattle. 2. Maneille: I was particularly struck with the sterility of this parish. In the neighbourhood there is a fine cascade. 3. Villeseche. The Vaudois had formerly much more extensive grounds; but at various times, and under various pretexts, they have been dispossessed of them. These three valleys have been left them rather as places of exile than of enjoyment, and though described as producing wine, wheat, &c. yet, with the exception of a few spots, it is by mere dint of hard labour that the barren soil of the sides of the mountains yields the means of subsistence to the inhabitants, whose principal diet is black wheat, potatoes, cow's or goat's milk, and chesnuts. The roads are often serpentine over rocky ground; the noise of the rushing torrent is generally heard; and sometimes, especially at Pral, the dreadful avalanche overwhelms an individual on the road, or a family in their cottage. I now proceed to some cursory re marks on the character and manners of the Waldenses, premising that it is not at all intended to go through the round of mortal virtues, and shew how far they are respected or exemplified by the people, but merely to state a few particulars of which I was informed, or which fell under personal observation. They preserve from their forefa thers a sincere respect for pure and undefiled religion. Public worship is very generally and conscientiously attended; and when I had an opportunity of witnessing a communionday, the church was quite full, and the behaviour of the communicants solemn and pleasing.* Nor is their religion wholly confined to their temples on the Sunday evenings in winter several families assemble in a stable (partly induced by the intense cold), and unite in religious exercises, as reading the scriptures, and singing psalms and hymns. The social duties they also exercise to a very considerable extent. For instance, though more frequently persecuted than protected by their sovereigns, the Waldenses are loyal subjects. When the King of Sardinia was lately restored to his crown, they sang Te Deum" on the occasion, as well as presented an address of congratulation: and when, at a former period, Louis the Fourteenth's army invaded Turin, Victor Amadeus II. was advised to rely upon their loyal ty, and take refuge in Rora: he did so, and remained secure sill Prince Eugene came to his relief. They are also remarkably honest. Whilst the immediate vicinity (the plain) is infested with robbers and assassins, these valuable. men devote themselves, with that industry and patience which the nature of the soil * Religious instruction is very carefully instilled before young persons become for the first time communicants. I was told that a young lady of Turin had been four months at a relation and minister's house, passing through a course of religious studies. requires, to useful labour for their subsistence. A robbery seldom or never occurs in the valleys. Assured of this, I felt no anxiety, though once overtaken by night near the woods, and entirely at a loss which of the numerous intersecting by-ways to choose. My companion and myself walked fearlessly along till we perceived a light, and got an obliging Vaudois to attend us home. We find, indeed, more than mere honesty among them; even a generous disinterestedness, though so poor. I could not prevail upon a man at one time, upon a child at another, to take any reward for a trifling service they had rendered; and I recollect seeing a soldier, who offered himself to the King of Sardinia instead of his brother or some other individual, unaccustomed to war, who might be required to serve. Hospitality is another very pleasing trait, and exercised in such a manner, that when you quit their roof, the Vaudois seem as if they had received, and not conferred a favour. Their humanity is also, on many occasions, conspicuous. If any one is ill, the neighbours cheerfully and gratuitously sit up at night in the sick chamber, and there is even a sort of dispute who shall pay the first and the greatest attentions. In case of an accident that a poor person has met with, a sermon is sometimes preached, and a collection made. But this kindness is by no means confined to their own friends. Whilst the Catholics around usually relieve the necessitous of their own religion, the Vaudois give what they can spare to the destitute of either communion. There is one illustrious instance, in particular, of their humanity, which should not pass unnoticed. When the Austrians and Russians, under Marshal Suwarrow, compelled the French army to retreat, three hundred wounded French soldiers received all the assistance, with respect to medicines, &c. that could be given; and at the request of M. Rustan, their Minister, the inhabitants of Bobbi carried these poor men on their shoulders over the mountains to the French territory-a most painful task, as those can well attest who have taken the tedious and difficult road of the mountains from Piedmont to Dauphine. Their conduct appears to have been a pure act of humanity, Memoir respecting the Waldenses. not the result of any partiality to the French; yet, but for the generous interposition of Prince Bagration with the Commander in Chief, it would have exposed them and their property to considerable danger. The Austrians could not withhold their admiration; and the French General (Suchet) published an order of the day for the very purpose of acknowledging such a singular instance of benevolence. I will mention but one moral feature besides, and that is, their gratitude. They have been long indebted (as will be seen in the sequel) to our nation for its sympathy and protection, and especially to a British Princess (their guardian angel, if we may so speak), for her munificence. These benefits have never been forgotten: on the contrary, the pastors and people regard the English as their best friends-in seasons of difficulty, their chief resource ;* and I remember I was very forcibly struck with the remark of the amiable wife of one of their ministers, who told me, that they made a point of instilling into their children respect and esteem for the English from the very dawn of reason in their minds. Having said thus much of some valuable qualities of the mind, a few observations may be added respecting their manners. They are in general very correct, such as one might anticipate amongst a people well instructed, little used to intercourse with the world, and devoted to the laborious occupations of ploughmen, herdsmen, shepherds and vine-dressers. The late war, however, has in some degree injured them, as it obliged many of their youth to become soldiers in the French service. There was also a fortress established by the French of late years, not far from St. Jean. They have experienced, no doubt, like most others, the melancholy truth of the maxim, " Evil communications corrupt good manners." The principal amusement of the people has in itself something of the martial; it is their great ambition to be expert marksmen; a circumstance to be traced, probably as much to a motive It is to the British representative they have confided their Memorial and interests at the present Congress of Vienna. 135 of self-defence as of pleasure. After Easter the inhabitants of the several parishes (each body with an elected king at its head) receive each other with peculiar respect, fire at a mark with a musket ball, and afterwards adjudge rewards to the most skilful This tends to cement the union of the several parishes. Their marriages, baptisms, &c. usually take place in winter, and then they often indulge in their favourite amusement of dancing. In 1711, a synod prohibited dancing, but the prohibition does not seem to have been attended with success. I will next describe what I am persuaded will interest, I wish I could add gratify, benevolent persons in England-the state of their schools, They were once flourishing, and the sum of six thousand livres of Pied montt was annually remitted from Holland for the purpose of supporting fifteen great, ninety little (or winter) and two Latin schools; part of the money being reserved however, for the widows of ministers, for disabled ministers, for the poor, and for an allowance to five deans. The events of the late war have entirely changed this happy aspect of affairs. Since the year 1810, two thousand livres per annum only (1007. sterling) have been received from Holland; and as half the people had not the means of pay. ing, the schools have exceedingly de clined, and even run the risk of complete decay. With the exception of the Latin schools, however, they exist at present (barely exist, and but ill provided with teachers), as charitable persons in the valleys have hitherto paid for the poor. They have been equally unfortunate with regard to the pensions which Queen Mary II. granted to thirteen schoolmasters; for this resource has also failed since 1797. I is highly important that Christian be nevolence should avail itself of the occasion here presented of benefiting the rising generation, both in grant ing such an allowance as shall procure efficient teachers, and in suggesting the various improvements in system which have lately taken place in the + About 3007. sterling. The five senior ministers are always deans. 136 Memoir respecting the Waldenses. education of the poor in our own country. The next subject that claims attention is the condition of their ministers and churches. Each of the thirteen parishes has a settled minister; and to each parish several hamlets are annexed, in which there are also temples. Queen Mary established what they term the royal subsidy, a grant of 400 livres (201.) annually to each pastor; but from this fund nothing has been received since the year 1797. What they call the national subsidy, is the product of a collection in England about forty years ago. Part of this is intended for the widows of ministers; and ministers themselves derive from it the annual sum of four hundred livres, which has been regularly received. It is obvious, from this statement, that those pastors who have not private property, must be in unhappy circumstances; and indeed the royal subsidy having failed, some have been reduced to the painful necessity of borrowing money of their respective flocks. Few would imagine that persons of learning and taste are to be found among them, and yet there are: their education places them on the same, or nearly the same, level with the generality of ministers in this country. The Swiss Cantons, which have ever shewn a friendly regard to the interests of the Waldenses, assisted them in this respect; and in 1729 an English lady settled a pension upon a student, which was paid through the consistory of Amsterdam. Their candidates were educated at Geneva and Lausanne; but I think I am correct in stating that their pensions have failed (the events of the late war having introduced change and disorder into every department), and that they will experience difficulties in future, on account of the expense of an academical education. I am sorry to say the case of at least some of the widows of deceased pastors is also distressing. There are now six one, who has a daughter, has only about 10l. a year -she had a son, a student at Lausanne, who was compelled to serve in the army he afterwards died at home of his wounds. The late Mr. Ọ. had a very laborious parish in the mountains; often a long and fatiguing walk; and then, after both the intense heat in summer, and the rain and snow in winter, no place of shelter and rest (the church standing on an isolated spot), before the service. He fell, at length, a victim to his exertions, leaving a widow and seven daughters, the eldest only fourteen years old, to lament so severe a loss. The pecuniary resources for the support of so numerous a young family are very slender indeed. When I stood near the grave and read this simple inscription on a rude headstone: "1814, J. D. O. Pasteur et Juge;" and when I entered his library and opened the books he had been used to read, and looked thoughtfully around the room which had so often witnessed the prayers of a father for his family, and a pastor for his flock; this consideration that their circumstances were so reduced, could not but awaken still deeper sympathy for this afflicted family. It has been already stated that there are thirteen parishes; of these my short residence only permitted me to see nine. The old chapel of St. Jean had been destroyed by persons hostile to the principles of the Waldenses; but of late years they have, with the assistance of friends at Turin, built a new church. This seems to confirm what has been advanced of the serious view of the importance of religion which reigns in the valleys. But this is not all: they have likewise erected a new church, almost wholly at their own expense, at St. Germain, an earthquake (which is no uncommon occurrence among them) having greatly injured the former one in 1808. With regard to church government, there is a moderator elected at every synod; each church has a deacon, who attends to objects of charity; and several elders; the discipline is less strict than formerly; the liturgy used in public worship is that of Neufchatel; the festivals observed are Christmas, Easter, Ascension Day, and Pentecost.† 典 Other particulars, with which either *The United Brethren kindly advanced something. † All the offices of their church are in French, which they often speak; but the patois of Piedmont is also prevalent among them. The ancient Waldenses were Episcopalians with respect to church government, and the sermons in Italian, or a language in some measure similar to it. |