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Christian Work.

STEPHANO, THE SARDINIAN

MINSTREL.

tion, he found that he had become the guest of a Protestant!

His curiosity now could fully be satisfied. Much to his surprise he found that there was nothing absurd, or wicked, or blasphemous, in all the woman said to him. On the other

FAVALE is a Sardinian village, twenty miles from Genoa. The inhabitants are, with only a few exceptions, a poor people. During the summer their grassy hills yield just enough to keep them and their cattle living from one hand, she put questions to him which day to another. In winter there come never were put to him before, that hard days. One or two cotton and went home to his heart, and set him linen factories may employ a handful seriously thinking about the salvation of young people, but the greater part of his soul. The thought occurred to of the lads have nothing to do. They him that God perhaps had led him to may sit down in their parents' cottages this place to make him discover a and play the flute or the fiddle, their great treasure. At his request he was faithful companions during the long introduced to the ministers of the town. summer days, when feeding their They gladly gave him any information flocks on the tops of the hills; but they deemed desirable for him. music, however melodious, soon be- Bible was given to him, and some comes an annoyance, when the stomach tracts, and Stephano began searching is empty and the hearth cold. Had the Scriptures. With every page, the they better not walk out, flute or fiddle light shone clearer and clearer upon in hand, into the country and towns, to try to earn a few soldi by playing a mountain tune to the farmer and the citizen? Well, so they do.

him.

A

"I have found the Bible!" he wrote to his parents. "I have found the word of God. Oh, you must read it! One of these wandering Sardinian I will bring it home, and when we are minstrels was young Stephano, a lad together again, we must read it every of seventeen, son of the respectable day."

but poor operative Cereghini. One But this intelligence fell like a thunday he took leave of his parents and derpeal into the parental house at relatives, and, with his fiddle under Favale. Horror-struck, the father his arm, wandered away to the thriv- communicated to the priests the great ing districts of Piedmont. He went calamity the devil had brought upon as far as Pignerol, at the entrance of his house, by decoying his son into the the Waldensian valleys. He learnt lions' den, and poisoning his soul by that they were inhabited by heretics, the contents of the conjuring book. by Protestants! Was it possible! The whole C. family, from the old He never knew that these were living grandfather down to the little boy so near to his own country. His curiosity began to be excited.

who was learning his A B C behind the big stove, three times a day offered up a pater noster for poor Stephano's soul."

The next day he took his fiddle and walked off to La Tour. He arrived at Who can describe our young mina cottage. A kind-looking woman strel's astonishment when, on his was standing in the doorway. Ste- return home, he found he was looked phano tuned his fiddle, and soon the upon as a lunatic, and shunned by street of La Tour echoed his melo- everybody as if he were carrying the dious voice, accompanied by the well-plague in his pocket? played instrument. The woman ap- He perceived that silence for the peared delighted, and so were the present was wisdom. people that assembled round the young friends by his conduct that he was He showed his minstrel. She invited him to step in neither a madman nor and partake of a meal. Nothing could Then gradually he began telling them an atheist. be more welcome to Stephano. He some stories from the Bible. They entered the cheerful-looking parlour, were exceedingly pleased with them. and to his horror? no, to his satisfac- They wondered where he got all those

General Baptist Incidents.

177

nice tales about our good Lord and This was a glorious victory of light his saints." Stephano told them they over the darkness of superstition and were written in a book which some- the arrogance of priestcraft. The body had given him in Piedmont, and, Bible reading now was continued not if they desired it, he would be happy merely in secret, but with open doors. to read a page or two to them. An The whole numerous connection of the hour was appointed that evening, and Cereghini became Stephano's regular thus the first Scripture reading took audience. The more the blessed Gosplace at Favale. The effect of it was pel was read and discussed, the more such, that the next meeting was the idolatry and apostacy of the Roeagerly looked for. Thus the reading mish Church became unquestionable. of the Bible became a regular habit in Disgusted with the frivolity and abthe cottage of his father Cereghini. surdity of the Roman worship, the Nor was Stephano's audience limited little flock longed for a regular worto the number of his parents, brothers, ship of their own, based on the pure and sisters. From time to time an principles of the Gospel. It was known uncle, and an aunt, and a cousin, to that there was a Waldensian evanwhom the secret was communicated in gelist at Genoa, who conducted service confidence, would steal into the cot- according to the Protestant system. tage in the dark of the evening. A He gladly accepted the invitation to little assembly of hungry souls thus favour the Favale Christians with a gathered round the Bread of Life, and pastoral visit. In concert with his the effect which this heavenly food assistant evangelist, he arranged for a produced in them was such, that their regular service every month. Meanhearts became filled with peace and while, Stephano was sent to La Tour, joy in God their Saviour. to be trained at the Waldensian colBut, however cautiously the meet-lege. After having spent there three ings were kept in secret, the news soon leaked out. The priests summoned the father and the other male members of the secret conventicle to their tribunal, and ordered them immediately to stop those "scandalous proceedings," and to give up the cursed heretical book called the Bible, to be burnt to ashes. Neither the one nor the other order was complied with. The meetings were continued, and the Bible read as usual. The priests then had recourse to the strong arm of the police, and two or three masters of families were put into prison. But here they spoiled their own cause. The priests were compelled immediately to give up their prey, after an imprisonment of two months.

years, he returned as a teacher, with licence to keep a school, and to preach the Gospel as an assistant evangelist. Means were obtained for building a small chapel, a school, and a teacher's house. The connection of the Cereghinis, numbering about forty communicants, became an organised Protestant church, and while young and old every Sunday hear the Gospel from the lips of their beloved and able teacher, Stephano, the evangelists of Genoa cheer them at least every month with a visit, to give them pastoral counsel, to administer the Lord's Supper. Thus the Lord has in his wonderful providence gathered to himself a flock in that hidden corner of the world.

General Baptist Incidents.

HOW THE BARTON PREACHERS They quickly discovered that the

BECAME BAPTISTS.

THE Barton preachers had early conceived some doubts on the subject of baptism, which led them to appeal to their infallible directory. But their prejudices were not easily removed.

scripture mode of baptism was immersion, and resolved to practise it. For this purpose a large tub was placed in their meeting-house, in which the ministers dipped the infants. This custom they seem to have maintained

for twelve years. At length they by reading and studying the word of were compelled to acknowledge that God.* the New Testament no more au- They were now Baptists in sentithorized the baptism of infants than it ment; but in reducing their creed to did sprinkling. They had flattered practice a considerable difficulty octhemselves that the example of the curred. None of their ministers had blessed Saviour (Mark x. 16) gave been baptized by immersion on a prosome countenance to their practice, fession of faith, and, therefore, accordbut a more impartial examination con- ing to their new views, they were all vinced them that there was not the in an unbaptized state, and unqualified least allusion to baptism in the whole to administer the ordinance to others. transaction. They discovered that If they had any acquaintance at that "Jesus himself baptized not," but time with other Baptists, either "took children in his arms, put his General or Particular, it was very hands on them, and blessed them." slight, and they felt no inclination to Determined to "follow the Lamb solicit their assistance. Indeed, had whithersoever he went," they removed they applied to any of the regular their vessels for immersion, and brought ministers of that day, when discipline their infants, in the time of public ser- was more rigorously exercised than at vice, to the minister, who, taking them present, it is probable that, considerin his arms, pronounced an affectionate ing their obscure state and imperfect benediction on them, using on this organization, they would have been occasion the words in which Aaron refused. After much consideration, and his sons were instructed to bless they had recourse to the expedient the children of Israel-"The Lord usual in such cases. It was agreed bless thee, and keep thee. The Lord make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace." (Num. vi. 22-27.) Suitable admonitions to the parents, and earnest and affectionate prayer for them and their offspring, concluded the solemn and interesting transaction. We have no account how long this practice continued, but as it was no ways inconsistent with the principles of believers' baptism, it was probably retained for some time after they adopted that practice.

In proportion as the grounds of infant sprinkling vanished, the arguments for believers' baptism appeared the more conclusive. They found that the New Testament not only required repentance and faith, as indispensable prerequisites to baptism, but also made it the duty of every one who professed to repent and believe to be baptized. Yielding, therefore, to the authority of Scripture and the dictates of conscience, they determined, after serious examination for several years, to obey the command of their Saviour, and personally to devote themselves to his service, in this sacred ordinance. They were led to this conclusion neither by reading the writings of the advocates of believer's baptism, nor by conversation with Baptists, but simply

This

that Mr. Donisthorpe should first bap-
tize Mr. Kendrick, and then Mr. Ken-
drick should baptize him, after which
they should unite in administering the
ordinance to their associates.
was accordingly performed about the
middle of November, 1755, when be-
tween sixty and seventy of these pro-
fessors thus solemnly devoted them-
selves to the service of their Saviour.

The adoption of believers' baptism involved these young professors in perplexities of a different nature. As they were all independents, and claimed the privilege of thinking and acting for themselves, it was not to be expected that all would, at one time, arrive at the same conclusion. Several, in fact, who were members of their society and sat down with them at the Lord's table, disapproved the opinion of the majority, and continued unbaptized. This did not not, however, exclude them from communion; but they were permitted still to enjoy all their former privileges. It does not indeed appear that, for some time, baptism was made a term of communion, or considered as giving a title to the fellowship of the church.

Mr. Josiah Thompson observes, "In 1735 they adopted the sentiments of the Baptists, both with respect to the subject and the mode of baptism, This change of sentiment arose neither from reading any books on the subject, nor from conversation with any persons of that persuasion, but merely from persuaded that so had the Lord commanded.” searching the Scriptures, and from thence being

Science and Art.

THE OPHTHALMOSCOPE.-Dr. Rose

NEW MINERAL.-A new mineral has been discovered in the neighbourhood burgh has recently given a description.

of the Upper Yarra, Australia. It resembles that well-known as sapphirine, and is harder than topaz. It will be principally valuable to the lapidary in polishing other stones.

of the mode of using a new instrument of his invention, by which the eye may be examined, and the deep structures of the living eye may be photographed. This will be a welcome addition to ophthalmic surgery.

POTATOE DISEASE.-Professor Liebig says that the cause of this disease BRONZE MEDAL OF GARIBALDI.-A is not to be found in the atmosphere, well-executed bronze medal, an inch but in exhaustion and want of vigour and a half in diameter, has been struck in the soil, which may be remedied by to commemorate the visit of Garibaldi the use of bone powder and ashes. to England. The artist, Mr. T. R. M. Pousard has also given his opinion, Pinches, has produced a very faithful the result of successful experiments, likeness of the Italian patriot. that it is owing to the impoverishing MR. E. M. WARD has just comof the root by alternate frost and heat, pleted another of the series of pictures and by planting his potatoes after 1st to decorate the corridors of the House of June they escape the frosts of April, of Commons. It is executed in the and the withering of the leaf in July. stereochrome or water-glass material. GERANIUM LEAVES. It is not It is one of Mr. Ward's most successgenerally known that geranium leaves ful pictures. The subject is, the landare an excellent application for cuts, ing of Charles II. at Dover at the where the skin is rubbed off, and for Restoration.

other wounds of that kind. One or MR. LUCY, an English artist resitwo leaves must be bruised, and ap-dent at Fontainbleau, has painted a plied on linen to the part, and the large picture of Hampton Court on a wound will become cicatrized in a Sunday evening in the time of Cromvery short time. well, in which are introduced the Lord

PAUL FLANDRIN, a French painter, died recently. His chief works are his paintings in the church of St. Germain des Près, which he left unfinished, and his portrait of Louis Napoleon.

A GREAT COMET is predicted by Protector, his daughter Mrs. Claypole, Professor Newmager. He thinks that Milton, Andrew Marvel, Thurloe, it will come so close as to endanger Richard Cromwell and others. The our earth; and should it not attach picture will be exhibited in London itself to us, as one globule of quick-during the season. silver to another, nor annihilate us, during three nights we shall have no night, but be bathed in the brilliant light of the blazing train. The Professor is now on his road to Bavaria from Australia. We may, therefore, expect to hear more of this presently. ANOTHER PLANET. - Mr. Pogson, the government astronomer at Madras, has discovered another minor planet, which he has named Sappho. The minor planets now reach the number of fourscore.

AN EXTRAORDINARY METHOD of restoring old paintings, which is perfectly simple, involving no chemical preparation, and which can be applied so as to act in half an hour, is said to have been discovered by Pettenkofer, the famous Bavarian chemist.

A MEDALLION portrait of the Prince NOVEL USE OF ELECTRICITY.-Mr. of Wales by Mr. Wyon has just been Barker is already known as the in- completed. The likeness is good, and ventor of the pneumatic lever, by the execution of the work satisfactory. which the touch of the key-board of SIR EDWARD LANDSEER has comthe organ is lightened. He is now pleted the model for one of the lions proposing by the aid of electricity to destined for the base of the Nelson simplify the present cumbrous and column. It is at present in the studio complicated means by which the keys of Baron Marochetti, previous to being communicate with the organ pipes. cast into bronze.

Literature.

GOD'S GLORY IN THE
HEAVENS.*

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to each other. The whole paper is well worth reading. The next takes up" the invisible side" of the moon, and special reference is made to M. Hansen's discovery.

"In the case of the moon, the side turned to us is virtually one enormous mountain, and the opposite side the corresponding valley. We could not expect

to find traces of air on the summit of a terrestrial mountain one hundred and

phere is a lifeless desert, the hidden hemisphere may have a teeming population, rejoicing in all the comforts and amenities of life. The imagination is set free to picture broad oceans, bearing on their bosoms the commerce of this new world, rivers fertilizing the valleys through which they flow, a luxuriant vegetation, and buildings of colossal size.

DR. LEITCH gives us in this volume a score papers, admirably written, on some of the most attractive astronomical subjects. He first takes us on "a journey through space,' now on the tail of a comet, and now on a ray of light. He well puts the following in this paper :"From the simple law, that light re-thirty-four miles high. The conclusion, quires time to travel from one point to therefore, is, that though the near hemisanother, it follows, that we see everything in the past. In the case of very distant objects this leads to startling results. For every event in the past history of the world, there is a corresponding point in space, and if we were situated on a star at that point, we should, on looking down upon the earth, see the corresponding event transacted. For example, if we took up our position in a star, to which light would take six thousand years to travel Granting that the other side of the from this globe, we should witness the moon is peopled, can our world ever know scenes of paradise, and the roll of the of its inhabitants, seeing that only the world's history would unfold itself to our lighter side is turned to us? It is plain eyes. If the course of events appeared that the inhabitants, if they keep on their too slow, we could hasten it, in any degree, own side, can never get a glimpse of the earth. by gliding swiftly towards the earth, along If there is an atmosphere, it is the course of the rays. If we could accom-within the visible side, though in a rariprobable that it may extend a small way plish the journey in an hour, the history of six thousand years would be condensed into that period."

66

the snow-clad ranges of the Oberland

fied form. We can then conceive the intrepid lunar inhabitants venturing, as far as they can breathe, within the barren Dr. Leitch gives us four papers on hemisphere; just like adventurous travelthe moon. The first takes up the old lers on our globe, scaling lofty mountains and often debated question is the to obtain an extended view of the landmoon inhabited? Dr. Hansen's disscape. What an astonishing spectacle covery has once more revived this must burst upon the view of the lunar controversy. The writer of this volume tourist as soon as he fairly gets within the shows that, judging from the, to us, new hemisphere! The traveller who has visible part of the moon, there is no spent the night on the summit of the air, and so no medium for the convey-Rigi, to watch the rising of the sun over ance of sound. Eternal silence reigns. Alps, feels rewarded for all his toil by the A mountain toppling down into the glorious spectacle. The explorer of the valley beneath would make no more southern hemisphere, when he first be noise than the falling of a piece of holds the southern cross and the Magelwool, and would not be much more lanic clouds, experiences no ordinary rapid in its descent. The people must converse by signs. Music is impossible. There can be no shelter from the glare of the sun by fleecy clouds; and no light except when the sun is directly over any spot; so that dark night and bright day would be near

God's Glory in the Heavens. By William Leitch,
D.D. London; Strahan & Co.

delight at having ushered into view a new portion of God's universe. But these illustrations can but imperfectly enable us to realize the case of the lunar traveller, when he first beholds the earth. He will see an immense blue orb hung up, immovably fixed, in the heavens. It will appear to him fourteen times larger than the moon appears to us. The sun will be seen, as in the other lunar hemisphere,

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