AN ITALIAN EVANGELIST by F. H. Wright

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jun 29, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 26.

AN ITALIAN EVANGELIST.

By F. H. Wright

To speak of an evangelist in the United States is to speak of one who is given up to special evangelistic work. Such a man is honored by the church, and, if he be wise and consecrated, he is respected by the general public as one who helps considerably in the leavening of the body politic. Moody was deservedly honored for his evangelistic efforts.

Here in Italy, however, a man who becomes an evangelist is immediately the target for abuse, ridicule, and persecution. He is not an evangelist as a means of living, but, genuinely converted, he seeks to spread the knowledge of the truth. He knows he will be despised for his earnest efforts, but none of these things move him. He has been cleansed from his sins, and he must tell others. Such an evangelist we had the pleasure of meeting in one of our churches.

In the city where Tacitus was born [Terni] this worthy successor of the apostles follows his business, dealing honestly with all men, and adds to his business that of preaching the Gospel wherever he goes. He is a Neapolitan by birth, a splendid specimen of a man physically, but he can neither read nor write. He never fails to be present at all our services, and by sheer effort of memory he learns the hymns and the scriptures, and is always in season with the right word. His brethren in the church call him a saint, and in a country where saints are only recorded in the calendar, it has special significance.

Recently I held the Quarterly Conference. “Saint” Antonio was present, and gave his report as class leader. It was touching to hear him say: “Brethren, I am a poor, ignorant fellow; I can neither read nor write, and so can not present a written report; but I love the Lord, and I have done my duty as a class leader.” Then in a modest but most effective manner he recounted his work for the quarter, and it was inspiring to see how the brethren hung on his lips. The pastor told me that wherever he goes he continually witnesses for Christ. If he hears any one blaspheming, he will approach him kindly and show the wickedness of such an act in a manner that commands respect. If he hears any one calling upon the Madonna in an impious way, he will take advantage of the occasion to show the uselessness of praying to Mary, and exhorts them to call upon the name of the Lord. His face, always lit up with a bright, happy smile, suggests the true enjoyment of his religion, and Terni, steeped in ignorance and superstition, is a better city for the beautiful Christian life of this uncalendared saint.—Rev. F. H. Wright.