The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-04-15
LECTURE BY REV. W. C. VAN
METER.
0issionary Societies in ItaIy-His Visit to
Rome.

Stationary Societies in ItaIy-His Visit to
Rome.
The JudsOn Missionary Society assembled at the
North Baptist church. corner Of Christopher and
Bedford streets, last evening, Tor the purpose OF
bearing the Rev. w. G. Van Meter superintendent
of the Howard Mssion,n who has just returned
trom Rome, where he has made arrangements TO
open another "lIoward Mission.n
The reverend lecturer commenced his lecture by
Seferring to Victor Emmanuels entry into Rome.
There were many there who had very strange appre
tensions as to what the result OF bold attempt
wculd be; but there were also many whose hearts
were gladdened at the same. The people Of Italy
rejoiced at 1t; Victor Emmanuel rcjoiccd, and he
tMr. Van Meter rejoiced at 1t. star was seen
shining over the fair plains OF Italy.
1t was strange star, beautiful Venus, which
many did not understand. 1t was like the star OF
long ago. which the wise men saw but did not
know the meaning or Victor Emmanuel saw 1t,
his followers saw 1t and their hearts took courage
He lMr. Van Meter thought OF it as a guiding star,
and he would have the open Bible centred in 1.-THE
Bible, the star OF relglon--the only true guide.
Now the Bible TO be seen all over Italy,
though during the past 800 years not single copy
OF the Bible was ever printed at Rome. except
through necessity. But thanks to the Bible socie
ties, new vision had dawncd npon that oppressed
hand. His people were tried in Italy and suffered
there. There is land SO fair upon the
earth, but no land so cursed by oppresslon
and II the Roman people had not been
the noblest in the world every vestige or manhood
WOuld have been wiped ont OF them. They have
awoke now to higher life; as when America
started and arose ut the emancipation proclama-
ton, so they burst forth in an hour. Newspaper
writer's speak and censure them enthusiastic
Italians, but they often speak incautously. His
travels through the towns and cities OF Switzerland
and Piedmont reminded him Overwhelmingly,
Of his brethren who went before him. He saw the
mountain Businesses where persecution ragged and
he would ask them to go there, and then they would
understand what Italian enthusiasm meant. 1t
seemed TO him as If this were the springtime Of
that country. II was hungry now, thirsty for
knowledge, like sponge wanting mostenng iiuid;
but every pore should yet be filed, not with the
poisonous draughts of the past but with the les
sons OF the Bible, the pure water he had still TO
administer to them. man going through the
prairies trying to purchase and distribute Bibles
throughout! Italy He had met a man IN
Calabra who was so well pleased on re-
ceiving Bible that he requested 1000 approved
There ten little schools with about forty chil-
dren In each through the country districts but the
teachers of these had to be paid This was only the
day OF small things, but they would all yet realize
this shout Of anticipated victory.
STRANGE THING.
The Pope-that poor Old man in his prison he
ts pleased to call itwould like to have tears shed
the world over for him, but would listen to no dis
cussons This was the object OF the meeting and
Of the lecturers presence here tonight to
procure this clear, fresh water for that
literally desert land Tie water OF italy was
impure; they should put salt into II. God told
them to do It, But Italy shall be gaddened yet
yes In the words OF the prophet Isaiah, ''rhe will
derness and solitary place shall be gladdencd for
them and they shall awake and put ON beautiful
garments" Here the reverend lecturer remarked
alphabetically that he had to leave Jersey City
on the quarerpast nine train for Philadelphia ana
he could only say few words and then leave them.
The document he held In his hand was from Mr.
Clarke, brother in Sicily, who was to-day like one
solitary IN the wilderness, striving TO dis
tribute Bibles. He lad met Gavazzi AMI
he had met Pore Hyacinthe and they
MeterSl
turn Seven weeks ago he started; he was now
back again. He would start for Italy, ana there
strike the Keynote Of success.
The meeting closed by singing the "Soldier of the
Cross