A Victory for the Truth in Italy by Chas. T. Everson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 5, 1907

A Victory for the Truth in Italy

By Chas. T. Everson

CHAS. T. EVERSON

A FEW months ago Brother Odaglia and wife returned to their native land, after a sojourn in South America, and settled in northern Italy, in a village not far from Turin. They had accepted present truth in South America. A neighbor had spoken to Brother Odaglia about the message, and as a result of this personal work on the part of this Adventist, he had begun to keep the Sabbath, and afterward, when a laborer went to develop the work begun, a goodly number of Italians embraced the truth.

Returning to Italy, Brother Odaglia felt anxious to interest his countrymen in this glorious truth. He wrote to me about it, and I sent him some tracts to distribute. A little later, I learned that some were becoming interested in the message, and I wrote to Professor Fant, who was holding a series of meetings at Turin, requesting him to go to see what could be done in Brother Odaglia’s neighborhood.

I have just received a letter from Brother Fant, written on his return from Monesterollo, where he had held a short series of meetings. He says that one of the first persons to come to investigate the truth was a gentleman, ninety-six years old, who was still alive to the influence of truth, notwithstanding his advanced age. He was much interested in what he heard; but immediately on his return from the service, the parish priest came to see him, and informed him that if he returned to the meetings, he would be excommunicated, refused burial in consecrated ground, and consequently he would not escape eternal punishment.

As soon as the priest knew that Brother Fant had come to preach the gospel, he ran from house to house, scolding his parishioners, and threatening with excommunication—any one and every one who should attend our meetings. The gospel had never been preached in that place before, and a very bitter war was waged against the proclamation of the message.

The very same morning that Brother Fant began his work, the priest ordered the church bells rung, and called together the people, and began a tirade against Protestants, exhorting the people to pray to the Madonna, St. Joseph, St. Michel, and all the saints, that they might avert the calamities that would be visited upon them because of the heresy that was being preached among them.

Of course the threats availed with many, and especially with the women, who are, as a general rule, the backbone of the church. However, notwithstanding the strong opposition, a goodly number came out, and listened attentively to the preaching. About one hundred heard the message during the meetings. They became so interested on one occasion that Brother Fant had to continue his service for seven hours. Not only from the place where he lives, but also from the surrounding villages, the people came to inquire about the message.

Some of the people asked the priest why he did not go to see our brother, and come to an understanding with him. But he answered that he needed the permission of the bishop, in order to meet him. Then he railed upon them for daring to make propositions to him. Still they persisted in asking him some questions about baptism, and he answered them a few words in Latin. When the people demanded the reply in their own language, he went off muttering at them in insulting language that left the people scandalized.

But in spite of all these tirades against the truth, the people came to listen to the proclamation of the message. Also, a number of young men came for Bible study, and became much interested.

In consequence of the meetings, the priest applied to the public authorities to stop our work, and sent for two preaching monks to come and hold a mission of penitence and reparation, to restore the damage done by our effort.

As a result of our work there, eight persons accepted present truth, and are getting ready for baptism. Others would be disposed to follow their example; but in these villages the priest is a terrible enemy; and, as Brother Fant writes, “The priest knows the power of the boycott, and how to use it to the damage of those who do not think as he does.”

We are thankful for this victory for the truth, and pray that many of those held under the terrible power of priestcraft may come to know the sweetness of Jesus’ love, through the preaching of the third angel’s message in the land of the papacy.