New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-07-05
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ITATIAN NOTES-IV.
LIBERAL MOVEMENTS N FLORENCE--PRoTESTA,
THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY PROFESSOR


Since the establishment of the United Kingdom Of
Italy, fresh if not strong, impulse has been given
to the interests Of Professionalism The spiritual auto
cracy Rome although perhaps not deprived Of any
essential element of its ancient power, has become
somewhat tempered in its popular influence, by the
operation of agencies, the complete result Of
which will be manifested only in a future day. The
lurking doubts in regard to the pretensions Of tho
Catholic Church. which have been cherished by many
of the most cultivated European thinkers within her
bosom, since the commencement Of the present CEN
fury, taking deeper hold Of the Ii allan intellect
In Naples, the study of the German philosophy
among the best educated scholars has produceda
profound impression, and suggested ideas that
scarcely compatible with the supremacy Of Rome The
creation of Protestant theological Schooin Florence
is n circumstance of cOnsderabe moment, and
not fail TO promote the tendency 10 freedom of
thought This was founded year or two since I'M
der the auspices Of the Waldensan Churches in
Piedmont, and il said to be in highly prosperous
condition. It's headquarters are in the Palace Sal
Wait, which was bought for the purpose, and in
which gratuit0Is board and lodging are furnished 10
the students who at present are about fourteen n
number. Ten Of these young men are from tho
valleys of Piedmont and were born in the Protest.
ant faith; the others are converts from the Church
of Rome, and two OF them have within few years
belonged TO the priesthood in Mes,iua and tho
other in Calabria. During the last semi-annual
term there were three teachers in the School,
Prof. Reyel, Prof Guymonat, and Prof. Do
Sanctis who delivered lectures in the Italian
language, and gave instruction in tho
usual branches Of Protestant theological edu-
cation. Within few months past the School has
sustained severe loss in the death Of Prof DE Sane
It's, who was not only one Of the most learned
scholars in Italy but whose religious history presents
- -.
twenty years ago, he was pastor of the Church #
Santa Maddalena in Rome, where his popular elo-
quence gave him eminent mark, and a.ways at
tracted a throng Of admirin0 listeners Tie was Nd
less distinguished for erudition and a rare critical
faculty. which led to his appointment by the Sacred
COLLEGE as censor for the Index EXpurmtoIins'
with the function of deciding upon the books whose
circulation is prohibited in Rome on account Of their
heresy His private life was conspicuous for charity
and good works. tender spirit Of humanity ga'o
him wonderful power over the hearts OF tho
people. During the prevalence of the cholera IN
Genoa his devotion to the sick in the public hespl-
tails exhibited selt-Sacuhelng disposition a5
to become the subject of general remark. Meantime
he pursued his studies assiduously at Rome, aud IN
the discharge of his duties official censor was
obliged TO compare the work suspected of heresy
with the declarations of the Bible This led TO re-
Election on many of the doubtful points Of
theology; the teachings of his Church were almost
inyoluntarily submitted to a fresh examinations tho
spirit of free inquiry thoroughly Awakened tho
scales fell from his eyes, and he found that he could
no longer remain in the communion of Rome. Iie
made no attempt to strange his convictions,
although he could give no publicity to them
under the shadow Of the Papal Court. IL
was no easy thing to break his ecclesiastical ties
After remaining for some time in "A state OF painful
h ffHH - tsit IA
had held so prominent post, and without knowing
precisely where to GO, TO devote himself to the SER
vice OF truth in some better land. Few persons are
aware Of the difficulty Of getting away from Rome
when q person is suspected Of disable don To tho
Government. He cannot leave without passport,
and that is rgdly withheld in the case OF residents
who are not in favor with the Papal authonues.
Father De Sancts, however succeeded IN obtaining
the necessary permission. His ecclesiastical sup4-
rior Cardinal Pi6tro, furnished him with passport
for a Journey to Ancona With this In his pocket Le
was able to confront the Roman police and aTiy'd
safely at his city Of refuge. Here he at once threw
off his priestly costume, and sought the protection
of the British Consul. At his suggestion, no
retired TO England, where he made many friends.
and was treated with kind hospitality. The disap-
pearance of the favorite preacher from home, 80
might have been expected, produced a deep s,nsa-
ton Not little chagrin was experienced III mo
circles In which his example was boasted OF as
glory TO the Church. But the matter was hushed up
as soon as possible and the detection OF Father DO
Sanctis ceased to be a subject of notofiety lie was
quietly consigned to the Evil One, with bell, book
and CANDLE and his name was no more heard rom
the mouths of the faithful. 1t was not until after
the war of 1859 that be again before the public,
commencing a new career a Protestant preacher
in italy, He was received with unb"unded enthu-
siosm Multitudes of people crowded To his dis
courses. The feryor of his el0qucnce the SIM
plcity and sincerity of his manner, and the
manifest depth and earnestncss Of his conVc-
tons had an electrical effect His audiences seemed
to be taken by storm, and frequently burst out IN
uncomfortable expressions of admiration. lie sun
seduenly took part in the missionary operations OF
the Waldenses, and at later period, assumed inc
charge of Protestant church IN Florence. Sill
more recently he devoted his principal abors To
theolocical instruction, in which his eminent ability
and faitlfulness have made his death signal blow
70 the interests of Professionalism in Italy. httle
annual, entitled the Friend of the People" which
he conducted, had circulation Of more than
hundred thousand copies aud BY Its quiet, but Vgor-
GUS structures on the Roman Church, ID said to nave
exerted profound influence Oh public opinion
Connected with tho Theological School IN
Florence is a chapel, in which Protestant Clergy
man. at present the Rev. Mr.. Nellie, from lurin'
breaches three times in the Italian LANGUAGE every
Sunday beside other services during the week no
average number Of Italians, from different quarters
of the Peninsula who worship In TINS OnHcn 10
estimated at about goo, "a little leayen for tho
whole Iumpr 10 be sure but one can predict nov"
Far the fermentation which has commenced VIII ex-
tend its influence In the City of Florence itself,
With ts innumerable attractions of an artistic aud
social nature the movement, of course excl'es ifte
o,tar.ior and has probably escaped the notice of