CONTENTS. Summary view by Alexis Muston-Visit of Dr. Gilly-Early A DESCRIPTION OF THE WALDENSES AND THEIR DISTRICT. Valley scenery-Pra del Tor-Early teachers-Alpine pastures -Scriptural lessons-Means used for communicating instruc- EARLY PREACHERS, AND OPPOSITION MADE AGAINST THEM. Outline of history-Writings of Claude-Peter of Bruys, and Henry-Tracts-List of pastors-The "Noble Lesson"-The Settlements in Italy-Attack on Pragela-Massacre in Calabria -Present and former state of Pragela-Proceedings in France ANNALS OF THE VALLEYS, AND ANECDOTES. Imprisonment of Copin-Conduct of the Jesuits-Escape of a Octavia Solara-Books sold at Lucerne-Anna Sobrera-Mat- thew Celene-Family of Bazan-History of Antoine Leger- A season of scarcity-Scenes in Val St. Martin-The dread- Increasing troubles-The early life of Leger-Cruelties inflicted in 1655-Individual instances-Abjuration and repentance of THE THREE YEARS' BANISHMENT AND THE GLORIOUS Attack in 1685-A sharp but short contest-The dungeons of Turin-Snow on the mountains-Persecutions in France- Arnaud and his band-They cross the lake of Geneva-Their perilous route-The bridge of Salabertran-Return to the SKETCHES OF THE WALDENSES. CHAPTER I. ACCOUNTS OF THE WALDENSES. Summary view by Alexis Muston-Visit of Dr. Gilly-Early existence of the Waldenses-Vigilantius-The PauliciansMohammedanism-Claude of Turin-The Albigenses. THE VAUDOIS, or WALDENSES, inhabit the valleys of Piedmont, a country which derives its name from its situation at the foot of the Alps, the highest mountains of Europe. Many works have been written by their own countrymen, and also by foreigners, giving accounts of their history in former times, and of their present characters and habits. One of the most complete has been prepared by a Vaudois pastor, Alexis Muston; a translation of some paragraphs will bring forward the leading points of their history, which will form the subject of this volume. He says, "How many remembrances arise to the mind on climbing one of these lofty hills! They have a stern and frowning aspect in winter, it is true, but no prospect can be more beautiful in spring, when the mild sun diffuses its light and life, and the air is filled with sweet and balmy breezes. The vigorous and manly inhabitants of this district seem to derive their character from the nature of the soil. They are chiefly employed in rural labours. In all pastoral countries the sound of singing is often heard, but here the songs are chiefly psalms, when the united voices of some young girls returning from their religious services strike your ear, as you rest in some shady glen, or on the slope of a rocky eminence. All around is now calm and tranquil; but there have been times when the blood of these simple peasants has stained their fields, their hills, their dwellings-times of persecution and slaughter. Call to mind their courage and fortitude; first, in the cause of God; next, for those whom they loved. Their simple language has never been used to express corrupt or unworthy emotions; but they were well informed, before the literature of other lands had arisen from the darkness and depravity of the middle ages. Thus our ancestors, however falsely accused, have left us a simple and blameless character, and a soil enriched by the memory of their lives and deaths. "Secluded from the world by their situation and their religious belief, they were the sub |