but its members were widely scattered through countries in which Roman Catholics held the reins of power, and they were therefore peculiarly exposed to the wrath of their enemies. It is not too much to say that in Italy, Spain, France, Holland, and other countries, the martyrs of the Reformed church may be numbered by hundreds of thousands. THE WALDENSES. The Swiss Reformers, had at an early date crossed the Alps for the purpose of preaching the Gospel in Italy, the country which the pope regarded as his peculiar possession. They were warmly seconded by a community of peasants, who in the secluded valleys of Piedmont, had for ages cherished a faith very similar to their own. These people were known as the Waldenses, a name which simply signifies "the people of the valley." Some writers, it is true, assert that they were named after a certain Peter Waldus, a merchant of Lyons, in the twelfth century, but others hold that Waldus was so called because he belonged to the sect, which is believed to have had a much more ancient origin. From the valleys of Piedmont the Waldenses had gradually spread to the valley of the Rhone, and thence northward along the Rhine as far as Holland. Some of them even settled in Poland and Bohemia, while others sailed to England where they principally engaged in commerce. Everywhere they were compelled to keep their religion a secret, so that their church organization came to resemble an extensive secret society. They had certain signs and passwords, and placed emblems on their houses which were recognized only by the initiated. At the beginning of the sixteenth century, it is said, there were so many Waldenses in Switzerland and Germany that a member of the society could leave Italy on foot and find lodging every night with a brother of the the present imperial family of Germany is descended, accepted the Reformed faith in 1613. Most of his people, however, remained Lutheran, and the elector of Brandenburg was the first to proclaim the religious liberty of all his subjects. It was on this decree that King Frederick II, more than a century later, based the curious proclamation in which he expressed his desire that, in Prussia, "every one should go to Heaven after his own fashion." faith until he reached Holland, whence he might sail to England and be once more hospitably received. Though there were certain minor differences, especially in church-government, the members of the Reformed church from the beginning acknowledged the Waldenses as brethren. The latter, in 1532, held a synod at Angrogna, at which they formally accepted the doctrines of the Reformed church, and thus thought to consummate the union of the two churches. Several prominent Waldenses were, however, absent from the synod, and these with their brethren in Bohemia and Poland, subsequently protested against this action. Though the majority of the Waldenses, therefore, at this time formally united with the Reformed church, a minority have kept up their church organization to the present day, At this synod the Waldenses also resolved to withdraw the veil of secrecy from their meetings, and to bear public testimony to the idolatry of the mass. This action roused the Roman Catholics to take active measures for the suppression of Protestantism. The Inquisition was put to work, and every one who was suspected of being disloyal to Rome was committed to its tender mercies. The Jesuits, who now appeared upon the scene, were particnlarly active in the matter, and spared neither age nor sex. Soldiers penetrated into the valleys of the Waldenses, killing every one who they could find, and it was only by hiding in the fastnesses of the Alps that a remnant was enabled to escape. There were, at this time, thousands of people in Italy who sympathized with the Reformation, and Reformed churches had actually been established in many of the Italian cities, but now all who desired to save their lives were compelled to leave their native land. Refugees became so numerous in Switzerland, that they were able to found Italian churches, and some of their earliest pastors such as Peter Martyr and Bernard Ochino-were universally recognized as among the most prominent ministers in the Reformed church. the border region, now included in the canton of Ticino the Romanists were, however, in the majority, and the refugees became the helpless victims of their In wrath. No language can adequately describe the horrors of that persecution. It was carried on with unexampled barbarity. The persecutors were not satisfied to take the lives of their victims, but they first subjected them to unheard of tortures. Finally, at a time of comparative quiet, the Catholics of a part of the canton des Grisons suddenly rose and massacred almost the entire Protestant population. Altogether the violent measures of the papacy were so successful that of all the Italian congregations founded by the Reformed church in the day of the Reformation, only two are still in existence. These are situated in two little valleys in the canton des Grisons, called Bregell and Puschlav, and there a few people of Italian blood, still listen to the preaching of the Gospel in the language of their ancestors. The Waldenses have, however, recently become much more active and prosperous, and many promising Protestant missions have been founded in Italy. It would be unjust to say that all the Roman Catholics approved of the violent measures which we have described. SPAIN AND PORTUGAL. In spite of the dreadful Inquisition, Protestantism was quietly making its way through all classes of Spanish society, when Philip II returned from the Netherlands to assume the government after the death of his father. Philip was a merciless fanatic. Under his auspices the agents of the Inquisition sought everywhere for victims, and even the archbishop of Toledo,the foremost ecclesiastic of Spain, was imprisoned on suspicion of favoring the new doctrines. Spaniards are proverbially fond of spectacular display, as is evident from their bull-fights, and Philip gratified this taste by burning Protestants. always present on such occasions, and when one of the victims asked him from the stake, how he could bear to see the sufferings of his innocent people, he replied: "I would gladly carry the wood to burn my own son, if he were as great a heretic as thou." In his insane wrath Philip even contemplated burning the remains of his father, the Emperor Charles V, because he had not succeeded in crushing Lutheranism at its beginning, but was finally persuaded that such an act would recoil upon its perpetrator. The confessor of the late Emperor, the celebrated Carranza, was, however, imprisoned for seven years. There was one man especially, who in a more gentle way, succeeded in bringing back thousands of Protestants to the Catholic church. Charles Borromeo, archbishop of Milan, was undoubtedly one of the noblest characters of modern At this time Protestantism had to entimes. Having devoted his immense counter a new enemy in the rapid rise of private fortune to the relief of the poor, the order of Jesuits. This powerful he spent his whole life in seeking for body was founded in Spain in 1534, by opportunities of doing good. Catholics Ignatius Loyola, a young nobleman, and say that he was the first to establish six companions, of whom the most emiSunday Schools, and he was the princi- nent were Francis Xavier, and James pal author of the catechism of the Coun- Laynez. In addition to the usual mocil of Trent. In dealing with Protes- nastic vows, they vowed unconditional tants, he showed remarkable wisdom. obedience to the Pope, and were directed He not only personally treated them to labor for the suppression of Proteswith great kindness, but actually direct- tantism. They admitted only educated ed his priests, in certain localities, to men, who had been thoroughly prepared simplify the services as much as the for their peculiar work, but increased so rules would allow, and to devote extra-rapidly that in less than fifty years after ordinary attention to preaching. By means of the eloquent sermons preached by himself and his co-adjutors, he succeeded in reconciling vast numbers of Protestants to the Catholic church. It has, indeed, been asserted that it was Charles Borromeo, above all others who saved the Roman church from utter destruction. their foundation, they had more than ten thousand members. Though_hated almost equally in Catholic and Protestant countries, it cannot be denied that they were very influential in preventing the spread of the Reformation. They are even now the most powerful secret order in the world. In the face of such opposition, Spanish Protestantism could make no progress. It was, in fact, stamped out by the heel of tyranny, though at the same time, the best part of the nation was ruthlessly sacrificed. From that day Spain, which had previously been the foremost nation in Europe, began to decline, and finally lost all political and ecclesiastical significance. In Portugal, the course of affairs was very similar. Though there was a manifest disposition on the part of the most intelligent portion of the people to accept Protestantism, which had found decided advocates among the professors of the university of Coímbra, it was speedily suppressed by the strong hand of the government. From that day, Portugal has remained a thoroughly Roman Catholic country. THE HUGUENOTS. church. The French court was therefore desirous of crushing Protestantism, not only for the purpose of aiding the Catholic church, but to increase the King's power by humbling the great Huguenot nobles. After the death of Henry II,' the throne of France was held for a few years by each of his three sons, Francis II, Charles IX, and Henry III, but during all this period, the supreme power was held by their mother, the notorious Catherine de Medici. Unless she is greatly calumniated she was one of the most wicked women that ever lived, and it is believed that two, at least, of her royal sons, were murdered at her instigation, because they sought to free themselves from her domination. Closely allied with her was the great Catholic house of Guise, and a crowd of Italian retainers whom she had advanced to high positions, and who were enthusiastically devoted to the papal cause. We have no room to describe the so called religious wars which occupied this period. They culminated in the fearful act of treachery which is known as As we have already seen, the Protestants of France were regarded as the followers of John Calvin, and belonged to the R-formed branch of the Reformation. It is impossible to decide with certainty at what time and for what reason they came to be called Huguenots. THE MASSACRE OF ST. BARTHOLOMEW. Webster says the name was probably derived from a French conspirator, named Hugo, or Hugon, but no reason can be given why the name of such an obscure individual should have been applied to the whole body of French Protestants. It seems much more likely that the name Huguenot was formed by a mispronunciation of the word "Eidgenossen," or Confederates, a term which the Swiss Protestants applied to themselves. Strange as it may seem to English ears, the French would be likely to pronounce Eidgenoss" very much as they pronounce "Huguenot The French Protestants, it will be remembered, were cruelly persecuted during the reigns of Francis I and Henry II, but they had rapidly increased in numbers until extensive districts, especially in Southern France, were almost exclusively occupied by them. The old nobility, were generally on the Huguenot side, and in their fortified castles could defy the power of the King. The city of Rochelle was thoroughly Protestant, and now ranked as one of the three most important cities of the Reformed or The Bloody Wedding." Queen Catherine had succeeded in arranging a marriage between her daughter, the beautiful but worthless Margaret of Valois, and the Huguenot leader, Henry of Navarre. The Protestants were thoroughly deceived by the prospect of approaching peace, and most of their leaders came to Paris to attend the wedding, which was celebrated with great pomp. Four days afterwards, an unsuccessful attempt was made to assassinate Coligni, Grand Admiral of France, who was the most distinguished of the Huguenots. Many historians believe that this attempted murder was instigated by Catharine de Medici, who had hoped to throw the blame on the Catholic leader, the Duke of Guise, whom she desired to The effect of the massacre was very great. destroy; but finding herself implicated, here on business. They would much she succeeded in persuading the King prefer that the event should be forgotthat the Protestants were about to retal- ten." iate by murdering him, and wrung from him a reluctant consent to a general massacre. Catholics were warned to illuminate their houses and not to appear on the streets without wearing the badge of the cross. The signal of the slaughter was the ringing of the great bell of the church of St. Germain l'Auxerrois, and as soon as it began to sound, the Catholics fell upon the Protestants and murdered them by thousands. This dreadful massacre began on St. Bartholomew's day, the 24th of August, 1572, and continued for several days. It extended to the provinces, and was no doubt horrible beyond description. During the prevailing excitement, enemies murdered each other without regard to religion. Innumerable stories of hair-breadth escapes are related, which vividly depict the horror of the times. In some places, however, the governors refused to execute the orders of the King, and the Roman Catholic Bishop of Lisieux even opened his palace to the Huguenots and protected them from the violence of the mob. Historical authorities differ so widely that it seems impossible to determine whether or not, the Massacre of Bartholomew was premeditated. It is now, we believe, the prevailing opinion that it was hastily determined upon after the attempted murder of Coligni, and that it was owing almost exclusively to the machinations of Catharine de Medici. To what extent the court of Rome was involved in it, is also an open question, but it is certain that when the Pope heard of it, he ordered a Te Deum to be sung, and had a medal struck with the insc.iption "Hugonottorum Strages," that is "the massacre of the Huguenote." Subsequently the church of Rome saw fit to disavow all connection with the matter, insisting that it was entirely political in its character, but the reproach has never been removed. In the audience chamber of the palace of the King of Italy, at Rome, we saw a painting of the massacre of St. Bartholomew, representing a number of priests rejoicing in the back ground. Our guide said: "That is put here to annoy the priests who have to come Queen Elizabeth made her court wear mourning, and received the French Ambassador in a hall draped with black. Henry of Navarre was imprisoned in Paris for some time, but finally escaped and put himself at the head of the Protestant party. He had but one tenth as many soldiers as the Catholics, but soon proved himself a great general; and after long wars, with varying success, he finally utterly defeated his enemies at the battle of Ivry, in 1590. This victory caused great rejoicing among the Huguenots. No wonder that Macaulay represents them as singing: "Now glory to the Lord of hosts, from whom of Navarre! Now let there be the merry sound of music and of dance, Throughout thy cornfields green and sunny of the waters, By the death of Henry III, Henry of Navarre had now become the heir to the crown of France, but it was not to be expected that the Catholic major.ty would permanently submit to be governed by a Protestant King. Influenced by his ambition he yielded to temptation and renounced Protestantism. It is certain that as King of France, he was able to protect the Huguenots as he had never done before, but his act cannot be defended on grounds of mere expediency. He reigned under the title of Henry IV, and became one of the greatest of French Monarchs. On the 15th of April, 1598, he issued the celebrated edict of Nantes, which secured the Protestants in the possession of their civil rights. The s'rict Catholics, however, did not trust him, and in 1610, he was assassinated by a fanatic, named Ravaillac. His death was regarded as a national calamity, but the effect of his victories remained, and for nearly a hundred years the Protestants of France enjoyed comparative security. In other countries, however, persecutions still continued, and these we propose to consider in our next article. PSALM CLI. Everybody knows that the series of Psalms in our version of the Scriptures ends with the 150th, which concludes with the beautiful verse that strikes the key-note of the whole book: "Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord." There is, however, an apocryphal composition on the killing of Goliath by David, which, though not found in Hebrew, is given as Psalm CLI. in Syriac and in most of the Greek versions. It is very ancient, and St. Athanasius regarded it as canonical; but it is probably nothing more than a versification of the seventeenth chapter of 1st Samuel by some known hand. The following is an abbreviation of a very literal version executed by Richard Brathwait, in 1638: Among my brethren I was least, And of my father's stock I was the youngest in his houseThe shepherd of his flock; Rare instruments of music oft My hands, well practiced, made; And on the sacred psaltery My skilful fingers played. But who of me shall speak to God, And tell him all my care? The Lord himself, lo, even now, Doth hearken to my prayer. He sent his messenger and took Me from the shepherd's toil; un And on my head, sweet unction! pour'd A BEAUTIFUL INCIDENT. On board the ill-fated steamer, Seawanhaka, was one of the Fisk University singers. Before leaving the burning ship and committing himself to the merciless waves, he carefully fastened upon himself Some one and his wife life-preservers. cruelly dragged away that of the wife, leaving her without hope, except as she could cling to her husband. This she did, placing her bands firmly upon his shoulders, and resting there until her strength becoming exhausted she said, "I can hold no longer!"" Try a little longer," was the response of the wearied and agonized husband; "let us sing Rock of Ages. And as the sweet strains floated over those troubled waters, reaching the ears of the sinking and dying, little did they know, those sweet singers of Israel, whom they comforted. But lo! as they sang, one after another, the exhausted ones were seen raising their heads above the overwhelming waves, joining with a last effort in this sweet, dying, pleading prayer: "Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee." With the song seemed to come strength; another and yet another was encouraged to renewed efforts. Soon in the distance a boat was seen approaching. Could they hold out a little longer? Singing still they tried; and soon, with superhuman strength, laid hold of the lifeboat, upon which they were borne in safety to land. This is no fiction; it was related by the singer himself, who said he believed Toplady's sweet "Rock of Ages" saved many another besides himself and wife. -Selected. THE BANK OF ENGLAND.-The Bank of England covers nearly five acres, and includes most of a parish, with the church-yard now known in the bank parlance as "The Garden," and a very neat little garden it is. Long after it had ceased to be a burial ground, an ancient servant of the bank, of amazing stature, was buried there for safe keeping by request of his friends, who feared that some enterprising museum would go for his skeleton. The bank occupies the site also of the house and garden of Mr. |