Sketches of Protestantism in Italy, Past and Present

INTRODUCTION.

IN presenting this volume to the public, the author begs leave to make a few remarks by way of preface.

At an early period of his sojourn in Europe, he was kindly solicited by gentlemen in England, as well as in his native land, to prepare a work on the state of religion on the Continent. And since the publication of his Religion in America, he has often been asked whether he does not intend to prepare a work, correlative and correspondent, on Europe. But however much he may desire to comply with such suggestions and such requests, his official and other duties are too numerous and too pressing to permit him to hope to be able to accomplish such a task within a short time. All that he can do is to prepare, at intervals, a volume relating to a part of the great field in question. In the present work he has made a beginning. And should this effort to delineate the religious state of the country to which it relates be favorably received by the Christian public, and God grant life and health, it will be followed at no very distant day by similar volumes, relating to France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany, Russia, etc.

In this volume, the author has endeavored to give the reader such information respecting the history, present con

dition, and future prospects of pure Christianity in Italy, as it is in his power to communicate. The work consists of three nearly equal parts. The first relates to the rise, progress, and suppression of the Reformation in Italy. In this portion of the book, he has availed himself extensively of the invaluable work of the late excellent Dr. McCrie on the same subject. He has, however, added many things,. derived from various sources, which the reader will find duly indicated as he advances.

The second part describes the state of things in Italy since the Reformation, and though quite miscellaneous in its subjects and details, it will probably be read with interest by those who desire to know the state of things in that beautiful, but spiritually benighted country.

The third part contains as full a notice of the Waldenses, their origin, their country, their history, and their present condition and prospects, as the nature of this work would permit. It does not profess to be a full history of that wonderful people—a great desideratum, for we have nothing in English which is worthy of the name. Some notice of the Waldenses was necessary in a work which undertakes to speak of Protestantism in Italy, past and present.

A map accompanies the volume, on which the valleys inhabited by the Waldenses are delineated with sufficient accuracy to give the attentive reader some idea of their mountain-home. On a corner of that map, will be seen the beautiful and appropriate insignia of that heaven-preserved people, consisting of seven stars surrounding a blazing lamp, encircling which runs the appropriate motto: LUX LUCET

IN TENEBRIS.* May it ever shine in those valleys, until all the surrounding region shall be full of the light of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ!

The reader will learn that, deplorable as is the religious state of Italy, there are some things which encourage. Some rays of truth are reaching the minds of a portion, however small, of the inhabitants. The Bible is demanded; and to some extent it is obtained, read, and highly prized. And whilst thick darkness, like that which rested upon Egypt of old, covers that interesting country, there is still a 'land of Goshen' in the valleys of Piedmont, in which there is light.

The reader will learn that there are nearly forty Protestant ministers of the gospel in Italy at present, about one half of whom are laboring as pastors and professors in the valleys of the Waldenses. And if this volume should be the means, under God's blessing, of leading those who read it to pray definitely and earnestly for the influences of his Spirit, to render the Truth which may be preached by these ministers, or which may be read on the pages of the Holy Scriptures, and religious books and tracts, effectual to the salvation of many souls, and the extension of Christ's kingdom in that land, it will not have been written in vain.

One word more. The author feels that if this work should contribute in any measure, however small, to engage those who read it to take a deeper interest in the conversion of Roman Catholic nations to true Christianity, his highest

*Light shining in Darkness.

Every year shows more and

wishes will have been accomplished. This is a subject which he deems of paramount importance. We are sending the gospel to the heathen, and often to nations whose influence is nothing in the world; and in doing so, we are passing by powerful Roman Catholic countries, which are almost as destitute of the true gospel as the heathen themselves. And yet a little reflection would teach us, that the world cannot be converted without the regeneration of Roman Catholic countries. more clearly that Rome is putting forth all her energies, to recover what she has lost, and to conquer Protestant nations. She plants her missions, too, in heathen countries, wherever the Protestants plant theirs, and does all that she can to counteract all their efforts in that direction. What, then, is our duty in reference to the Roman Catholic world? Evidently, first, to carry the Truth into every country which is under the dominion of Romanism as quickly and as extensively as possible, wherever the way is open; and, secondly, to pray without ceasing that, where the way is not open for doing this, it may be, speedily, in the good providence of God. The Protestant world cannot afford to sleep much longer over this subject. And the very success which is attending the efforts that are making to introduce the Word of God, and in other ways to promote the Truth in Catholic countries, should encourage us in the hope that the time has come for the Reformation to recommence its glorious career.

NEW YORK, April 1, 1845.