The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-03-11
THE ID ES.

The announcement that the Walden
ses have sent agents to North Carolina
to prepare a place for their coming has
caused much curiosity in well informed
communities as to the origin and life OF
these peculiar people. Indeed, the
movement is Of much general interest
since it means the migration of 10000
people in one community and the posi-
BILE spread Of their form of religious be-
lief.
The order was founded in the twelfth
century by Peter Waldenses, who, if he
lived in this age, would doubtless be
styled religious fanatic. He was al
ready a wealthy merchant in Lyons,
France, when, at a comparatively early
age in life, he became converted to reli-
| gion. He gave away his vast fortune
and started to preach the gospel Of
Christ to his people. He taught that
poverty was an essential attribute of
Christianity and this he practised as
we'll as preached. The small band of
followers who joined this good man we're
clothed in the simplest of garments, and
lived only on the actual necessities Of
life. They first came in conflict with
the church OF Rome, whose teachings
they had followed and preached.
Against the order of Pope Innocent III.
they continued to preach throughout
European countries and finally grew
bold enough to deny the authority of the
Holy See and reject many Of the more
important doctrines OF the church.
They wero finally accommodated. Dur
ing long years they suffered persecution
in many forms, but continued to thrive
and grow, though their influence during
the past century has hardly extended
beyond their homes in the mountainous
regions of the Alps. Here they live in
separate congregations presided over by
priests under the jurisdiction of a sim.
pie form of church government.
They have existed foz centuries on the
profits of cloth making, but this bust
ness within recent years has become sc
depressed as to scarcely afford a living
1t was determined to make a change
and two delegates have been sent to re-,
port on the conditions life in the noun
famous regions Of the southern states.
If the report is favorable, 1000 members
of the sect will emigrate in the fall and
others will follow later.
1t is believed that these people will
form a desirable class for the settlement
OF an undeveloped country. BY reason
of life in the Swiss mountains, they
have become Il rugged and hardy race
and arc said to possess to a remarkable
degree tho virtues Of their ancestors
They still hold frugality and industr,
as the chief objects OF life, though il
later years they have not sought tt
bring new believers to their religion.
1t is probable that the Carolinas wer'
first considered in their plans for re
moval because the climate is very mucl
like that of the mother home. 1t is like
wise probable that further investiga
ton would show to the delegates ia
better fields for their people in some Q
the western and northwestern states
1t might be worth the time of Commits
!, sioner Mills to study the requirement
of these people and communicate wit
the leaders with the Wow of bringin
them to tins state il they should appea
to be desirable immigrants. Twent
thousand newcomers would mean
great deal for Moptaua.