The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-03-17

Z Of the past are retold Tor the benefit OF
D the children, who later march in process
] sion throughout the streets Of their viii
I lagos. In the afternoon presents are given
I 20 the children. and ia the evening relig-
7 ious services are held in all the churches
] Nivaclous at all times, the Waldensian
7 grows eloquent and earnest whenever the
y deeds OF his forefathers are mentioned.
I and for him Feb. Il has an even deeper
| significance than the Fourth Of July has
I for Americans
The Waldensian church belongs TO the
alliance OF the reformed churches and its
E creed and forms Of worship are subs TAN
I tally those Of the Presbyterian church in
the United States. Each congregation is
governed by a board of elders who, to-
gether with the pastor. constitute what IS
known as the cOnsistOry. The Sabbath
, worship consist OF prayer and singing.
reading Of the Bible and preaching. The
I Waldensians practiOs infant bab-sm, lay
great stress upon the chldren's birth
right privilege and are rigid in observance
Of family worship. From the earliest time
the study Of the Bible among the Wal
denses has not been confined to their
schools and pastors but the layman, the
laborer, the artisan, the cOwherd, The
mother of a family, even the young girl
while watching the cattle and employing
her hands at the same time in spinning
studied the Bible atnentively. This same
reverence for the Word Of God is shown
by the members Of the colony ] have been
describing and even the little children as
soon as they have learned to
read are taught to study their
Testaments daily and carry them
with them 20 their work in shop or
field. In the days OF their prosecutions.
IL is said, that every child among the
Waldenses was taught to commit to mem
DRY some portion Of the Scriptures. so that
II the sacred texts were entirely destroyed
they might be reprodu ced with accuracy
and without delay, and this devout prac-
tice Is stin observed in spirit If not IN
form
The colonists have their own local pas
tor Rev. Barth SOulier. who lives at Val
desc He e a young man Of finished edu-
cation and speaks Englis n with ease and
fluency. He was educated at Florence and
Edinburgh and ne and AIS wife crossed
the Atlantic on their briial tour TO begin
their married life with the infant colony
in America AS stated al the outset the
Waldensians trace the founding of their
church back TO the era Of the apostles
and believe they have preserved the prim-
tive faith. exempt from error and the
alloy Of bigotry and superstition which
filled the history Of other churches dur
ing the middle ages. The principles taught
by their first preachers, which are still
the cardinal articles of their faith mere
three In number, namely: THE Bible is
the only rule Of faith; God the only object
of worship, and Christ the only foundation
Of salvation"
As might be expected. the first days of
the colony have not been without clouds
and troubles. Their crops last year were
a partial failure, due to a late frost, a
long drought in the early summer and
the colonists' ignorance Of the methods
Of successful farming in this country.
Their implements are primitive and clum-
sy, and, while they were familiar with
the hoe and spade, they knew nothing of
the Yankee pillow and reaper. But these
are obstacles for which time and ex-
perence are sure to find an effective rem
edy.
In the meantime they have shown them
selves an upright, peace-loving people.
who are governed by a fine sense of
honor and expect those with whom they
have any dealings to be equally honora-
BILE. Their claim to the sympathy and aid
Of those with whom they have cast their
lot has already received cheerful recog-
milton. AS result, they seem contented
and happy in their new home. The charm
ing mountain scenery Of Western North
Carolina seems to satisfy their inherited
love for rising ground; the balmy eli
mate possesses an attraction their native
Alpine district cannot offer, and, on the
whole. the outlook for the colony is one
of encourag cement and hope.