The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-10-30
THE VALLEY VIRGINIAN
Mission Work in Italy.

AoEMENF AND DIFFICULTIES, AND IT'S
PROSPECTS.
Last night, at the Baptist church in this
city, the Rev. Geo. B. Taylor delivered an
interesting and highly instructive address
upon the Evangelical mission work Of Italy.
The speaker.a most Of our readers are aware,
was formerly pastor Of the church in which
he spoke, and no minister was ever more
devotedly loved, not only by the members
OF his flock, but by the people of his town,
irrespective OF denomination bias. Six years
ago DR.. Taylor gave up his charge here, to
assume the more ardnous aud important
duties Of conducting the Evangelical work
In Italy, and since that time, he and his
family lave lived in Rome, devoting their
lives to the service of the church. and striving
with unfsgging zeal for the upbuilding Of
christianity.
Last summer, 10 consequence OF Impaired
health, DR.. Taylor returned for brief rest
to his native land. and since then has spent
most Of his time at the springs. He has
changed In appearance but little during his
long sojourn across the water, and his man
ner ia as earnest and impressive as when
years ago he so ably and effectively cham
pioned the cause of Christ, before the people
Of this community by whom he is still loved
aud revered.
We have not the time nor space this week
togive more than the barest outline of his
remarks last night, which from the begin
Ming to the close were attentively listened
to and seemed to create profound impress
sion.
After q few words Of introduction, DR..
Taylor referred to the circumstances attend
Ing the commencement Of recent Evangelical
work In Italy, and detailed several remarka-
BILE Providences by which the way had been
opened and laborers raised up. General Beck
with, q British officer, who lost leg in the
battle Of Waterloo, devoted the balance of
his life to the Waldenses, from whom have
since come valuable ministers and teachers
Tor all parts Of Italy. 1.-THE Waldensian
Valleys have been the Evangelical plant-bed
for'all Italy, He spoke also of the labors of
De Sanctus, Rossetti and the well known
Father Garazz. A peculiar combination
Of circumstances, which were detailed, led
the Baptists to begin work in Italy. At
present the Baptists, the Methodists, the
Waldenses and the Italian Free Church, are
all doing an Evangelistic work, the Walden-
ses resembling the Presbyterians, by whom
they are principally supported. All these
bodies are now working In harmony, Italy,
with her p ,000.0 c0 Of people, offering room
enough for all. Almost all the important
towns and cities, and many villages are oc-
cupied by one Or more Of these bodies. A
great difficulty is to rent places for meetings,
and all the denominations are trying to
acquire chapels ut the more important
points. Many good evangelists have been
raised up Of God, some Of them men of little
culture, but full OF faith and zeal, and well
weraed in the word OF God, and Others well
cultured and theoloa ically educated. Evan
eelIcal schools are not mnch relied on, be-
cause they are expensive, and because there
IL an excellent system Of public schools,
which are also becoming more and more
liberal. Sometimes, public discussions are
held, but generally the priests are forbidden
to take part In them, and we think it better
TO rely mostly upon the positive proclama-
ton the Gospel. Singing is very val
uable means of evangelization.
Religious freedom Is enjoyed in Italy.
True there have been petty prosecutions,
some Of them very distressing, but they are
growing less, and when we appeal to the
authorities we always secure protection and
redress. Still, it is often great trial to
become an Evangelical Christian, and one
may have to give up good position, and be
badly treated by neighbors; yet even In this
respect, there is progress, and public senti-
ment is becoming more liberal. Even now
1t Is very difficult to rent or buy good prop
erty for evangelical purposes, but it is far
less SO than formerly. The speaker gave
several instances Of the prosecutions aud
annoyances which be had encountered, some
OF which were amusing, and others pathetic.
The progress in gaining converts-real
eonyerts-fs not rapid, and great care has to
be taken in receiving members. Still, all
che workers have had sufficient encourage
mant. Men and women, Ia all classes OF
society, have been converted, and have given
evidence OF their intelligent and devoted
loyalty to the Gospel by suffering for its
sake. Under this head, also, the lecturer
referred to some very interesting casea,
which for want Of space We cannot give in
detail.
THE OUTLOOK.
III you ask me whether am hopefal or
the REVERSE" said the speaker, 81 prefer not
to give categorical answer, which might
mislead you. Instead, will present to you
some Of the difficulties and announcements
and you may judge for yourselves He
then spoke OF the system Of Romanisn as
specious and powerful. In one sense 1t
might be the same everywhere. In another
It Is not the case. Catholics in Italy are
very different from those in this country.
Many missionaries from China and India
hare passed through Rome, and said, ''Your
work is like ours, but harder. These people
are as truly idolaters as the Chinese, though
In - different way" Besides, it was urged
that R0manism had made many of che peo-
pie, especially the young and cultivated men,
infidels. Thus Romanism is 80 connected
with the whole structure Of society that It
will stand after the life Is gone out Of It, On
the other hand, God had marvellously opened
the way for the Gospel, surely not in mock
cry, but with the design Of giving success to
Il. Much ground had been gained. In
some very remarkable instances the new
pretensions Of Rome and her advance move
ments had been signally followed by the
irown Of God. There was an intimate con.
nection between the building of st. Peters
and the Reformation Of the 10th century.
When the Pope was declared iniallible he
lost his temporal power. The remark Of
Buckle as to the gradual decadence Of Ro-
manism was quoted.
The speaker In conclusion, spoke OF bis
own difficulties during the years that
he had, like Paul, s'dwelt in his own hired
hoqse' in Rome, not only in his preaching