THE WALDENSIAN BI-CENTENARY.
THE bi-centenary of the “Glorious Return” of the Waldenses was celebrated last month in Italy. This “Return” was one of the most tragic and affecting events in history. Their terrible persecution in 1655 aroused the sympathy of Milton, then secretary of state of the British commonwealth, and Cromwell, at his instance, sent word to the Roman Catholic powers to “let those people alone” or they would feel his heavy hand. He sent £30,000 for their relief, and offered them a refuge and home in Ireland. This checked their enemies until some time after Cromwell’s death. In 1686 the flames of persecution were kindled anew against this noble community of Christians. Men, women, and children were crowded into loathsome prisons of Piedmont simply because they refused to bow the knee to the pope at the command of their prince. “When they entered these dungeons,” says Henri Arnaud, “they counted fourteen thousand healthy mountaineers; but when, at the intercession of the Swiss deputies, their prisons were opened, only three thousand living skeletons crawled forth.” But the devouring appetite of Romish persecution was not satisfied with that. Upon their release this little remnant were given the alternative of abjuring their faith, or leaving their country forever, within fifteen days, upon pain of death. This was in December, 1686, and amid the snows they were driven across the Alps into Switzerland. Three and a half years they lived in exile, when, as by a common inspiration, they assembled on the shore of Lake Geneva, and determined to return to their native hills. Committing themselves to the protection of God, under their brave leader Henri Arnaud, who had served under the Prince of Orange, they began their perilous journey of twelve days. The eight hundred men were divided in nineteen companies under leaders who knew the least-frequented passes through the mountains. They were opposed at different places by Roman Catholic troops, whom they defeated after sanguinary battles. On August 22, amid extreme hardship, they descended into the valley of the Dora. Here they experienced terrific trials and opposition. A body of two thousand five hundred French troops opened fire on them at the bridge of Salabertrand. They hurled themselves against those disciplined troops like an avalanche, and crossed the bridge. The next day they fortified themselves on the Heights of Sci, from which they could discern the mountains of their own homes to the south. It was Sunday morning, and upon the mountain summit the whole congregation fell on their knees and offered up their thanks to the God of their little Israel for his deliverance, and committed themselves, their wives, and little ones to his protection. Two days afterwards they were at Balsille, at the northern extremity of the valley of San Martino. Here they began to feel themselves at home again. Descending into the valley they found their beloved country under the hand of their enemy and persecutors. They saw that their “Return” must be followed by a conquest or they would be exterminated. So, on the first Sunday after their return at Sibaud, they united in a solemn league which was called “the Oath of Sibaud,” pledging themselves before God to maintain in these valleys their ancient faith to all coming time, and to be true to each other, whatever might befall them. All efforts of the Papacy through the government to repel or exterminate them failed. The deliverances which God wrought for them are as remarkable as any that occurred in Hebrew history. He proved on all occasions to be their “Place of Defense” and their “Munition of Rocks.” Sometimes when there was no other escape, he would throw around them his “gray mantle of mist,” to hide them from their enemies and provide their rescue. They have proved faithful to the “Oath of Sibaud,” and their God has enlarged the place of their feet. The pope is powerless to prevent their worship or expel them from their homes. Their noble king has recognized their rights and religion, and testified his regard for them and interest in their celebration of the “Return” by sending a present of 5,000 lire to be divided between their church house and their college. When sending this contribution to the moderator of the Valdese Synod, the Italian Minister addressed a letter in the name of King Humbert expressive of his regard for the virtue, nobility, and devotion of his Waldensian subjects. God is thus avenging his slaughtered saints of the Alpine hills.—N. Y. Observer.