deceased friend.

ITALY:

---and the following is the way in which the said municipality have, in the present in- It will be seen by a reference to the stance, contrived to arrange matters. They Report contained in the last number of have opened a new burial ground, destined THE CHRISTIAN WORLD, that the num for the ill-famed, and declared honorable the ber of laborers employed by our Society old one. Thus they cannot be legally comin whole, or part of the time, has been pelled to exhumate the remains in question. It must be said, however, that no ill-famed twenty-one-double the number in our person had as yet been interred in the said employ the previous year. In the letground, two still-born, non-baptized infants ter we subjoin from the Rev. Mr. Hall, being the only corpses it has ever received, he gives some of the obstacles they are and beside which now remains that of our beginning to encounter in their work. We did not from the first imagine that It would appear that the municipality, it would be all plain sailing. We know vexed at the necessity of accomplishing this that the Romish Church is the same act of justice, even in the very smallest proportion the law could allow, were desirous persecuting power she ever has been ; to implicate us in a law-suit, for they have and though her power has been somegot up a proces-verbal on the subject of the what crippled in Italy, still "the Man burial-service performed in the church-yard, of Sin" is not dead-and while there is tracts distributed, &c., &c.; but in this at- life in him, we have reason to expect, tempt, we are thankful to say, they have he will make vigorous efforts to arrest failed completely; the superior magistrate the progress of pure evangelical truth. having nothing irregular in the case, and on the contrary approved the edifying nature We hope that all who read Mr. Hall's letter will enquire if something cannot be done to aid the brethren there in the manner indicated.

FLORENCE, April 20th, 1863. DEAR DR. CAMPBELL:

of the tracts that had been distributed on the occasion, and some of which had been sought up by the country mayor and forwarded to the Court. How vastly different the spirit and proceedings of the higher and enlightened functionaries from what, in the In one of my late letters, I spoke of the second case, has been manifested by the in. apparently systematic efforts of priests and ferior ones; for, in the first case, we are proprietors in this city, to prevent evangeli happy to state, the municipality made no cal Italians from renting places for public difficulty. May the Lord pour down His worship and schools. They have been suclight and blessing more and more on "all in cessful in their efforts, and the brethren who authority." are not proprietors will experience great inThe services performed in the afore-men-convenience from these manifestations of tioned circumstance have proved more than bigotry and intolerance. The only security usually interesting to the numerous hearers for the Italian congregations is in the purby whom they were attended, and will, it chase of suitable houses for schools and may be hoped, through Mercy, produce spir-churches. This can be done only by means itual fruit. I would add much more did of contributions from abroad, as the Italspace and time permit; but I cannot close ians themselves are quite unable to meet my letter without adding that we are follow- this expense. Application has been made ing, with intense interest and most ardent already for aid in England for one of the prayers, the solemn events passing on your congregations, and the Wesleyan Mission shores. "O Lord, how long?" May He Society will probably provide a house for hasten the time of deliverance!

Believe me, dear brother, yours very spectfully, and affectionately in Christ, C. A. CORDES.

the other, and the large school which has re-recently been placed under its direction.

Another form of persecution is becoming very frequent and perplexing, both to the

Lord as to understand the truth. One of our brethren provided her with books. She soon declined to go to confession, and contended courageously for the truth, finally resisting all solicitations of relatives, of the priest, and old friends, who came entreating her with tears not to forsake them.

persecuted and the friends of Italian evan- her father's death, has been cared for by her gelization. It is already well known that uncle. Though deaf, and reading with some the converts here are in great part from the difficulty, she has been so instructed of the poorer class of society. Yet there are many who have been able to maintain their families very comfortably by their trades and occupations. But instances are occurring very often of employers dismissing the evangelicals from their service. The trade and business of others is destroyed by the with drawal of all Roman Catholics. In this She expresses an earnest desire to know way many who have ever been in comforta- more of the truth; and is much impressed ble circumstances are reduced to absolute with the difference between the teachings and want. This kind of persecution is a great books of Christians, and the teachings and trial to their faith, and is also a great obsta- books of Roman Catholics, which, she says, cle to the progress of the truth. It presents, speak almost exclusively of the Virgin also, a very serious question, in regard to the claims of such persons for assistance, and even support, from their brethren, and the friends of evangelization here. If aid is not freely and readily granted, it is feared that the influence on the Italian character will be bad. To withhold aid altogether might be inconsistent with Christian duty.

THE MISSION IN THE VAL D'AOSTA.

Mr. Lautaret, who is stationed at Verres, has a large and somewhat difficult field to cultivate. He conducts religious services in five different places regularly, and has an occasional invitation to visit other neighborhoods. The number of his hearers in each place is from five to eighteen. In passing from place to place, he has frequent conversations with persons whom he happens to meet, on religious subjects; often has the opportunity of reading and explaining the Scriptures, and praying with individuals who are unable to attend his meetings. In a late report he says:-"I find by experience that while the work of evangelization gives joy, it also has its trials, trials always proportioned to the interest of the work when it does not answer to the expectation of the workman. But God knows how to mingle encouragement with trial so as to excite both zeal and humility.

Mary.

Another interesting case is mentioned of a man, who, reading his Bible, recently purchased, was struck with the expressions of God's displeasure against idolatry, closed his book, and searched the corners of his house for images and pictures, before which, as Roman Catholic, he had prayed for years, and cast them into the fire.

Mr. Lautaret has recently been invited to visit a number of persons, living about two hours from Carema, who wish to be instructed in the gospel. He found ten persons on his first visit, who listened to him with attention, and expressed the purpose of meeting together whenever he would come to speak to them.

Thus, though the number of Mr. Lautaret's hearers is not large, in any one of the several places in his field of labor, he is not without encouragement in these evident results of his faithfulness.

BRESCIA.

In Brescia a school has been opened, particularly for the children of those who constitute the evangelical congregation in that city. Mr. Forneron, the teacher, is well qualified for his work, being furnished with the government certificates, usually granted to competent instructors. He has carried on his work there with zeal and success.

The Divine word declares that faith is a gift of God, and I have had a striking illus- One feature of the instruction given in tration of it in a young woman, who, during this school is daily recitations in the Old and this month, has joined our little company. New Testament. Of the New Testament, She is an orphan from Mt. Jovet, who, since the pupils are required to learn more or less

each day, and repeat it from memory. He been no serious demonstrations of popular has in the school classes in grammar, arith-violence, as was anticipated and prophesied metic and history. by the enemies of the new order of things. All political troubles, which have arisen in any part of the late Kingdom of Naples, are justly chargeable to the efforts of the late King, whose continued residence in Rome is secured alone by the French army of occupation.

The children, not having been accustomed to the discipline of school, are often impatient of restraint, requiring much prudence and tact in governing them. On the afternoons of festival-days (of the Roman Church) the school is almost deserted. All the efforts of the teacher to correct this irregu- The work of evangelization in that city larity have, thus far, been in vain. The old appears to have had a more free course habit of the fathers of observing such days, than in some other parts of the Kingdom. is not easily surrendered, and the children More of the priests there are inclined to are only too willing to perpetuate the cus- liberal views, and acknowledge the necessity tom. Nevertheless, Mr. Forneron reports of great reforms in the Roman Church. some progress in the discipline of the school, The places of evangelical worship there also an increasing regard for the truth, and have been numerously attended; and in the appearance of a more obedient spirit. view of the prevailing ignorance, an Mr. Forneron has also established a Sun- unexpected desire for instruction has apday school, and an evening school for adults peared among the poorer class of the and boys who are obliged to labor during population. The schools have been well the day. In all the schools a good influence attended; not only those established by the is exerted, and the privileges thus offered Government, but those opened by persons are for the most part highly prized by those engaged in evangelical efforts. who attend them.

One effect of the Sunday and evening schools has been the increase of the number at the religious services on Sunday.

The following general statement from an evangelist in Naples, supported by the American and Foreign Christian Union, may not be without interest to the readers

These schools, though not very numerously of the World :-attended now, are regarded as of the greatest importance to the future religious interests of Italy. ¡E. E. HALL.

NAPLES, April 27, 1863.

DEAR BROTHER --I send you the following account of my work of evangelization at Naples. I arrived here the 22d of Oc

We give our readers a still later let-tober last, and two days after began to ter from Mr. Hall, giving a particular preach the word of truth and peace in the account of the labors of our Missionary hall of St. Thomas Aquinas-a room which can accommodate nearly 400 persons. The at Naples. The account which he gives audience was numerous, as it continues to of his work is deeply interesting, and be at present, filling the room entirely. affords great encouragement to perse- I have always preached twice during the

vere in our work and labor of love.

FLORENCE, May 11, 1863.

week, Sunday morning and Tuesday evening. Mr. Appia preaches in the same place REV. DR. CAMPBELL :-DEARBROTHER,- Sunday evening, and Monday and Friday; Probably no part of the Kingdom of Italy holding occasional conferences for the inhas appreciated and enjoyed the freedom, struction of members of the church, and accorded by the present Government, more sometimes for controversy. than Naples. The hand of oppression there, The first Sunday in April, about 40 perin both civil and religious affairs, was so sons presented themselves for communion; heavy, that its removal has been followed but Mr. Appia thought best to receive at by a corresponding reaction.

While the people of that city have eagerly accepted their new civil rights, there have

that time only nine or ten of the older and better instructed among them.

1

I have also preached often at the place

usually occupied by Mr. Cresi, when he has is frequently a great change in the audience; been unable to preach or was absent. It is so that the number of those who have heard a small room which can accommodate about and understood something of the Gospel, I sixty persons, and not in a very accessible believe will amount to some thousands. place. I have also made many pastoral visits.

There are also three other schools under evangelical direction; one under the direction of Mr. Buscarli consisting of seventy boys; two others directed by Mr. Cresi, one called

At the request of Mr. Appia, I went to Palemo to strengthen the Christian church there, which was established by him before the Bicasoli school, numbering fifty boys, coming to Naples. On my arrival, about thirty-five persons assembled for religious worship; before leaving, the number increased to about eighty.

and the other called the Garibaldi school, composed of about fifty girls. In all these schools the children are instructed in reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, the evangelical catechism and singing.

Ordinarily my preaching is divided among three subjects, controversy, Biblical HisYours, &c., M. PECCENINI. tory, and the Christian life. In the first, You will recognize by the name of this I combat the errors of the papacy; in the good brother, the same who was a year or second, I strive to place in their true light more at Porte Ferraio. He was transferred the character of the saints of both the Old to Naples, to a wider field, where, as you and New Testament, in the third, I endeavor will see, he finds abundant employment. to show that all is vain, if man, outwardly He expects in the course of the summer to moral, is not given wholly to a new life; point- receive ordination from the Waldensian ing to the righteousness of Christ, which can Synod; though he has been a parish priest alone render him acceptable to God. The in the Roman Church for several years. Neapolitan character is rather inclined to rationalism than to the Gospel; but I have always endeavored to show my hearers that in this way alone--viz., by faith in Christ, and the appropriation of his righteousness, is salvation possible.

I have also made it my object to organize day and evening schools. At St. Thomas Aquinas, in a room under that in which religious services are held, is a day school for boys, numbering about forty; and an evening school for adults, numbering fifty, who are taught reading and writing, and the truths of the Christian religion. In both these schools I give lessons, and, in the absence of Mr. Appia, they are under my direction.

Besides the places of worship which I have mentioned, and where I have preached, there is another, and soon a much larger one is to be opened in the centre of the city. In this new place a Mr. Brispoli is expected to preach, assisted by Mr. Vincerzo and Albarella, who have done much for the good work here.

It should be observed that, in the above named places or centres of worship, the same people do not always attend, but there

I have an interesting letter from the evangelist in Rio Marina which I will send you in a few days. From all parts of Italy there are reports of progress, such as to encourage the friends of the Gospel and of Italian evangelization, to continued and greater efforts in this field.

Very sincerely yours, &c.,
E. E. HALL.

GREECE.

Our readers will be pleased, doubtless, in hearing from our Greek missionary, the Rev. Mr. Constantine. DEAR SIR,

We have for nearly three months lived among this people, and that too, in a most critical period of their national existence; when an opposition of soldiers and citizens rose against the Governor, which the National Assembly had appointed; they were collected close to our house. It was a day of fearful suspense. In the revolution against Otho there was union, now discord reigned in the hearts of the people, (however all is past and we are safe.) During this period we have seen the people in every variety of mood, and we have felt with and for them.

At present we can speak more freely and in- taste for knowledge is so vitiated that they dependently of the reports of others.

seek only the excitement of politics, or revel Greece has undergone, since my day, a in the falsities of the French novel, while change so radical, that at first I felt as they neglect the religious or moral book as though I was a foreigner. New men are fit only for monks and simpletons. Netupon the stage, and new politics are intro- withstanding all this, I believe the characduced. Austro-Russian sentiments have ter of the Greek is radically sound, while sunk, and Western ideas begin to flourish; all this devastation has been wrought by the old places of interest are abandoned and new bigotry of the expurgated court. Thirty ones originated. The language has been years ago the people slept in houses with ungreatly modified. Society has undergone a bolted doors, and in their business transacpeculiar change; in some respects for the tions trusted each other; they were horrified better, in others for the worse. Principles at the very idea of taking the legal oath; which could not be perceived in their begin- an immoral woman was as rare in Greece nings, are now visible in their fruits, and the as snow at the Equator,but the Regency of lines of demarkations, as it regards the re- Otho encouraged such by legalising prostituligious sentiments of the people, have become tion, and now bad women come as boldly to very distinct. I find but two general classes, pay their tax as the Roman prostitute drops the one is Rationalistic, both in practice and her mite into the contribution box. Things theory. They laugh at all revealed religion, have reached a crisis, and people begin to and ridicule all that their fathers held dear tremble at their own degradation. The sigh and sacred. It comprehends all ranks of for the "good old times" is heard from many society, the clergyman, and the literary man, a one. Should we secure a Protestant king the ignorant, the wealthy and the shrewd, with western politics, to carry out the work while the intelligent of this class are haughty of reformation, he will meet with even the and refined; the unlearned are the swearers, approval of the base and wicked. the drunkards, the liars, and the thieves. The report thus far is that Prince WilThe other class consists of the superstitious liam of Denmark, brother of Alexandra, is of all ranks, who tread the old path with to be the candidate for the throne of Greece. characteristic stubbornness, never yielding Should he prove as consistent a Protestant to ridicule or honest entreaty. Yet they, as Victoria, abandon balls, theatres and like the Pharisees in the time of Paul, would parades on the Sabbath, then the Lord's persecute the followers of truth with all day will be respected; the people will retheir might, but will tolerate the rationalist sort to reading instead of amusements; the who scoffs at their principles of Christianity. Yet I thank God that there are at least a handful of men who, through the ridicule of the one, and the persecutions of the other, are now quiet, yet their minds are awakened, and one day they may constitute the leaven which shall leaven the whole lump.

clergy will be called upon to preach, and practice more in accordance with the teachings of the Bible they profess to believe, so we shall become a little more Christian like. The work is great indeed, but the laborers are few, still we hope in the Lord of the harvest, who in due time will send laborers enough to reap this precious wheat.

Politically, we must congratulate the people, for things are progressing towards the Protestantism is gaining repute among West, but as regards education they are the people. The number of those who deradically corrupt. A system of instruction sire religious toleration is increasing, though so extensive, when deficient, becomes a some wish it as a political measure, others source of great evil. Education in Greece as a religious. By the Revolution, the old is confined to the training of the intellect, constitution is amended, and a new one is while morals are ignored by the schools. soon to be framed; we hope it may give us Therefore we see that youth are proud, inso- the boon we crave-entire religious freedom. lent, without reverence for age, or regard To this measure is an opposition, and we for authority, immoral and corrupt. Their need be very careful, lest by a blind zeal