Progress of the Message in Rome
By Chas. T. Everson
Our meetings in Rome have been in progress now a little over three months, and already some results begin to appear, although the ground here is naturally so strongly contested by the papacy. Here the forces of the papacy are most perfectly organized, and number legions. It is estimated on good authority that in this city there are about sixty-five thousand prelates, priests, nuns, and monks. We can readily understand that with this immense army so well organized, the Church of Rome is able to present a strong opposition to all Protestant efforts to evangelize the people. To this large force of workers new ones are continually being added from the orders that are driven out from France, so that new convents and monasteries are springing up very rapidly. With such a large corps of workers to watch all the movements of the Protestants, we can well understand that nothing escapes their attention. Therefore, as we noted in a previous article, we had just presented the Sabbath question when a priest took up a consideration of the subject in one of the leading churches of Rome. Yet in spite of all the opposition, the third angel's message must be given at “the seat of the beast,” that here also a people may be gathered out who shall be ready to meet the coming King. Already some are beginning to recognize the claims of God's law in this city. It is very difficult to get a settled congregation in a place like this, but for the preaching of our message that is absolutely necessary. We have now a number that come to almost every service, and seem much interested. After we had placed the Sabbath question before the people in a thorough way, we began our regular Sabbath services at the hall. These have now been in progress about five weeks. Thus far, as a result of our work here, ten have begun to keep the Sabbath of the Lord. The young minister that we mentioned in a former article as being the first-fruits of our work here, is growing rapidly in the truth, and seems like one who has known the message for several years, instead of a few months. He continues to be of great service to us in the work, preaching two or three times a week. Another one of those who have begun the observance of the Sabbath is a gentleman who has been for many years a leading member of the Methodist Church, where he was also a member of the consistory, and has made an extensive study of the Bible. Among those that have recognized the claims of God's law is a very intelligent man; we believe that he will prove of value to the work in Italy. He was brought up in the Catholic Church, studied for the priesthood, and was consecrated priest when but a very young man. In the Church of Rome no one can say mass until he is twenty-four years of age, but this man, because of his exceptional talents, received a special permission directly from the pope to say mass when but twenty-two years old. He also received a yearly allowance from the church that he might prosecute his studies at the great Jesuit seminary at Rome. He was thus enabled to obtain a splendid education, so that he first obtained the degree of bachelor of philosophy, and later took the degree of doctor of theology. After finishing his course he became a professor in one of the seminaries of Rome. Before leaving the Church of Rome, he became a canon, an office that ranks next to a bishop in that church, and was also one of the leading priests in one of the large churches of Rome. We can see by this that he was highly favored by the Catholic Church, and was well situated both for salary and position when he left the Church of Rome. He left it all when he became convinced that the doctrines of the Catholic Church are contrary to the truth. He spent two years studying Protestantism while a priest, before he finally decided to abandon Catholicism, and now he has begun the observance of the Sabbath, and attends our services regularly, and is present at the Bible studies that I am giving daily at our home. His wife also has begun to walk in the commandments of the Lord. She is from a fine family, her father having been a leading lawyer. This ex-canon has not only left a good position in the Church of Rome for the truth, but has also been disinherited by his parents. He has been offered positions by the other denominations, but has refused, owing to his belief in this truth. There are a number who come to the services, including the Sabbath meeting, who have not as yet expressed their decision. Among them is a young professor who is here attending the university; he seems much interested in the subjects presented, and attends almost every service. The Lord is blessing the presentation of his message in Rome, and to him be all the glory.