A Short History of the Waldensian Church in the Valleys of Piedmont, from the Earliest Period to the Present Time; With a Pref. by W. S. Gilly (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1855. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XIV. PRESENT STATE OF THE WALDENSIAN CHURCH--ITS MISSIONARY EFFORTS, AND SYNOD OF 1854. Haying brought down the history of the Waldensian Church to the most important epoch of religious toleration and civil emancipation, it remains to give some detailed account of her present position and future prospects, together with the effect this desirable consummation has had on both. We have beheld the sorely straitened Church, like a tempest-tost vessel struggling into port, her 'masts bent, her sails torn, whilst the little lamp dimly glimmering at her prow, her compass, and anchor, are the only possessions remaining to her crew from their long warfare with the winds and waves. Should we wonder, then, to find them at first somewhat cast down and dispirited; and that doubt and dejection should cause them to mistrust the sudden flash of hope so often baffled, so nearly extinguished 1 The limbs of the captive, long fettered and disused, do not regain their muscular spring at the first touch of the emancipator's hand. The humane and judicious physician, aware that the galling pressure acts long after the chain is removed, will not urge premature exertion until he has administered his gentle restoratives, and the outer air has circulated round the nerveless form. Thus should we deal with the captive of centuries; we, who know not the iron gripe of bondage, should thus await, and administer to the revival of those into whose soul it has entered. Already we begin to reap the precious fruits of love and gentleness; already we see the languor of protracted suffering passing away, and hope and activity reviving. Every day develops some new bud of promise, some brighter phase of the clearing and expanding Church. On this account, and in order to bring our history...