Sketch of the Waldenses.
By Eld. S. N. Haskell
THERE are conflicting statements in history concerning the origin of this people. Whatever may be true concerning the time these valleys were settled, it was an early date, and in many respects the people were truly a wonderful people. It must be confessed by all who have visited these people from an unprejudiced stand-point that they are an intelligent and industrious people; and, to all appearances, a different race from those in Southern Italy. There is but one cause to which this can be attributed, namely, their habits and education. They are separate from all other people in their denominational character, and yet at the present time their faith is similar to many other denominations. The Waldensian churches are scattered more or less throughout Europe, and especially in Italy. They retain their name, and there seems to be an attraction among the people to each other, which does not appear among many other people. Some historians say that those valleys among the Alps were first settled by a class of Christians from Rome, in the second century, who went there to avoid the corrupting influence of that city, feeling they could not bring up their children and keep themselves free from the influences so common in city life. The heathen temples still exist in Rome, which existed in early times, although consecrated to some virgin or saint. In the early history of the church, heathen worship was conducted, notwithstanding Christianity had established itself in these cities. A company of Christians, therefore, fearing the influence of these practices upon themselves and their posterity, separated themselves from these influences by resorting to the valleys of Piedmont, which lie among the mountains of the Alps. These valleys were rich and fertile, and were outside of the commercial interests of Europe. In their quiet retreat the Waldenses were separate from all other people. Here they preserved the religion of their fathers in its purity and simplicity, and from their secluded spot sent forth missionaries to different parts of Europe in a quiet unpretentious manner. The Papists regarded the heresy of the Waldenses as the worst they had to deal with. The man who reasons with them is sure to be poisoned they said. They gradually came into note, and the fires of persecution kindled among them. In about the tenth century they became quite prominent, so that well-directed efforts were put forth to exterminate the Christians. In view of their seclusion these people seemed to be among the last that persecution was directed against, but when it did reach them it knew no bounds. Inquisitions were established in their very midst. The people that inhabited the valleys were driven to the mountains. They lived in caves; they built themselves houses of stone, in some instances where they were almost inaccessible. //They had their own manner of instructing their children. They made a specialty of instructing them in the Bible and the Christian religion. They did not consider it in a general way, but they believed that they should make a specialty of the service of God. The children were taught to memorize the Scriptures, and were also taught from their youth up to prepare for martyrdom. In times of persecution the faith of even the children was most thoroughly tested; but the children who had thus been educated had received such a mold of character, that at the age of only ten years, the historian says, when taken from their parents, they would endure the severest persecution without yielding their faith; and they were put to death in every way that human demons could invent.// One young lady of about fifteen is spoken of as having been buried alive. A hole was dug in the ground, she placed in it upright, and the dirt thrown around her and stamped down. The cross was offered her by the Papists, and she was asked if she would renounce her faith and embrace the faith of the church. She refused; more dirt was placed around her and stamped down. The cross was still offered, but still she refused. Then more dirt was placed around her; and thus they continued to throw dirt about her and stamp it down, and then offer her the privilege of renouncing her faith, until they reached her head. After the dirt had been stamped around her so that she could only speak and scarcely breathe, still she refused. She knew what awaited her. Then she was covered and the dirt stamped over her, and thus she perished. While in Torre Pelice, I visited a building that had formerly been used as an inquisition. I saw the skeletons of two individuals. The bones had been found in a position which showed that the persons had been buried heads downward. They were individuals, no doubt, that believed in the truth of the gospel and would not renounce their faith. Plans were laid in every way possible to deceive this people, take advantage of their confidence and bring them into trouble. No promises which were made them by their persecutors were regarded of any account only to allure them into some snare. Even to this day they gather in the vicinity of Torre Pelice and have an annual meeting of thanksgiving to God for their deliverance from the terrible persecution which they endured. NOTE.—In this sketch of the Waldenses, which is here commenced, I have largely followed a work entitled, "History of the Waldenses," by the Rev. J. A. Wylie, LL. D. I am also indebted to a small work, "History of the Middle Ages," for many ideas. To those who desire to examine the subject further, I would recommend the "History of the Waldenses," by Dr. Wylie, as a very interesting and profitable work. S. N. H.