gives many instances of the gradual encroachments of the popes on the remnants of the primitive churches, scattered in different parts of Europe. In the eighth century, Claude was bishop of Turin, and the churches of the Alps formed a part of his pastoral charge. He has been truly called a reformer. By some he is regarded as the founder of the churches of Piedmont; but, more probably, he was only trained among them. His statements against idolatry are often quoted. Though little remains from the writers of that darkest age, the tenth century, yet some information as to the churches of Italy has been preserved. Allix has quoted considerable extracts from the works of Ratherius and Atto, who then flourished, and he concludes by saying, "Both truth and piety began to decrease in this diocese, and error and superstition began to take their places, in spite of the opposition of those whom God had raised up to stop their progress; however, the essentials of religion still continued there, notwithstanding these growing corruptions.' At this period, the Albigenses must be noticed. They seem to have been descended from the Christians who came from the east, to the mountains between France and Spain, and derived their name from the town of Albi, in their vicinity. Some have supposed that this body of Christians learned their religious opinions from Peter Waldo, whose history will be given hereafter: but this is not correct, as the whole course of history, from the sixth to the eleventh century, states that the churches in these parts objected to the unscriptural assumptions of the pope. The crusades against them belong, indeed, to a later period. From the year 1160 to 1264, the Albigenses were subject to repeated persecutions. The pope promised pardon of sin and many indulgences to those who should fight against the Albigenses, in the same manner as others crossed the seas to fight under the banner of the cross, against the Turks, who were infidels. This army of pilgrims was headed by Simon de Montfort, earl of Leicester, and considerable efforts were made for its increase, by the generality of the popish priests in every land, while it excited considerable indignation among the Spanish noblemen and rulers, who justly regarded it as an invasion of their estates by the pope. Some of these, while professedly servants of the Romish see, were found in disguise, and slain among the Albigenses. Of another, the king of Arragon, who having been already excommunicated by the church of Rome, was killed while fighting on their side, an historian says, They saw herein an extraordinary proof of the judgment of God, in that the king of Arragon attributed at that time more to his own power and providence, than the help and succours of the eternal God, it not being the first army that hath been discomfited in a just quarrel, nor the first bad cause that hath been maintained with victory. So Jonathan was slain by the Philistines. So Josiah, who was zealous of the service of God, received his deadly blow, fighting against the king of Egypt at Megiddo." Beziers, Carcassone, and other places were besieged and taken, and the inhabitants put to death, without distinction of age or sex. Even Roman Catholics were massacred if they lived in the same towns, although this excited much opposition. At length, by the inquisition, and similar efforts, the Albigenses were so far put down, that, after the year 1264, they are not mentioned in general history, but a remnant has remained in those parts, even down to the present day. Berenger of Tours, who lived in the eleventh century, successfully opposed the Romish doctrine of transubstantiation. It is not improbable that he had associated with the Albigenses. The next century was distinguished by the preaching of Peter de Bruys, who was burned alive in 1126, after labouring for nearly twenty years in Dauphiny, Provence, Languedoc, and Gascony. After his death, his disciple Henry ministered in the same district, but in 1147 he also perished in the flames, at Thoulouse, or, as some say, in prison. Like other believers, "they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented," Heb. xi. 37. CHAPTER II. A DESCRIPTION OF THE WALDENSES AND THEIR DISTRICT. Valley scenery-Pra del Tor-Early teachers-Alpine pastures -Scriptural lessons-Means used for communicating instruction - Peter Waldo of Lyons French Waldenses - Statements of Romish authors-Present limits of the valley s. THE reader will now return to the Vaudois or Waldenses, (we use the names indifferently,) the people immediately under notice in these pages. It is generally considered that the Vaudois, the Waldenses, orValdenses, derived their name from the valleys, or vallis dense, which they inhabited. Thus their appellation would answer to the English term, valesmen, or dalesmen. They always spoke of themselves as dwellers in the valley of tears, but they well knew what our own poet, Cowper, states "That though life's valley be a vale of tears, The language of that land she seeks, inspires." They were also literally inhabitants of the valleys. The three vales which have always formed their chief settlements are named Lucerne, S. Martin, and La Perouse; they in clude several districts known by other names, as La Torre, Rora, and others that will be mentioned. These are now their place of residence, although at some periods of their history the Waldenses have spread over a tract of ground considerably more extensive. They have also been driven by persecution to emigrate into the neighbouring country, according to the words of our Lord, "When they persecute you in one city, flee ye to another." Several of the most remarkable spots will be noticed as we proceed, but a few words of description may here be added. These are from modern writers, but the general features have probably for ages remained the same. Angrogna," says Gilly, "is by far the richest spot now in the possession of the Protestants. Gardens and vineyards, orchards and groves, corn lands and pastures, mulberry trees and the stateliest chesnuts, are here intermingled in the most picturesque confusion ; and the variety of hill and dale, before the acclivities swell into mountains, complete one of the loveliest landscapes in Piedmont." "San Giovanni (St. John) would be a little earthly paradise, if it were not besieged by Roman Catholics on the east and south. It is a beautiful vale, embroidered on the south by, verdant meadows, watered by the river Pelice; the rest of the vale does not merely consist of cornfields, but of fields, vineyards, and orchards, intermixed. All the roads, the walks, and the hedges, which separate different farms, |