NICE E0KE1OTERS’ EVANGELIZATION 
 
 CO MMIT TEE. 
 
 MAY, 1866. 
 
 COMMITTEE. 
 
 THE REV. EDWARD BILEY. 
 THE EARL OF CAYAN. 
 
 * THE REV. JOSEPH DITCHER. 
 LE COMTE DE ST. GEORGE. 
 CAPTAIN GILBERT. 
 
 DR. HENNEN. 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL W. HILL. 
 
 MR. BENJAMIN HUTT. 
 
 MR. HERBERT MAYO. 
 
 MR. G. J. MORRIS. 
 
 MR. JAMES GORDON OSWALD. 
 THE REV. VINCENT STANTON. 
 THE REV. JOHN STEVENSON, D.D. 
 THE REV. EDWARD THOMPSON. 
 
 Mb. W, D. HULL, Honorary Secretary. 
 
 T~ 
 
 Persecution at Barletta. 
 
 In order that the Christian public may understand the state of 
 things at Barletta at present and previous to the martyrdom of the 
 Christians there, short extracts from the Reports of the Nice 
 Foreigners’ Evangelization Committee are here collected, narrating 
 the origin and progress of the Evangelical Mission in that city. An 
 exact account of the sad events of the 19th March will be added from 
 the letter of Gianini, the Evangelist who was labouring there at the 
 time. 
 
 Extracts from the letters of Mr. Meyer, employed by the Scotch 
 Church as a missionary to the Jews at Ancona, will also be given, 
 ^ who has long been acquainted with the work, and who boldly and 
 generously hastened to the spot after the massacre to comfort and 
 encourage the poor afflicted converts. 
 
 Many inexact reports have appeared in the public papers on the 
 subject, which these letters will serve to correct. 
 
 A few lines from recent communications addressed to the Committee 
 by their Evangelists will show what is the present state of affairs. 
 
 Giannini was first employed by the Nice Foreigners’ Evangelization 
 Committee in 1861, and has since that period worked along the 
 Adriatic coast, visiting many towns and villages, as Ancona and 
 Pesaro in 1861, Urbino and Fano in 1862; in which latter place a 
 
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 popular tumult, and cries of “ Death to the Protestants ” were raised 
 against him, and his children were followed and beaten in the streets. 
 In 1863 he visited Rimini, and continued the work at Pesaro and 
 Fano; in 1864, Pescara, Sinigaglia, and Chieti, the capital of the 
 Abruzzi. Persecutions of the converts at Pesaro became violent; 
 several drew back in consequence, and he himself was much cast 
 down ; but Mr. Meyer was then, as he has always continued to be, his 
 steadfast friend. They visited Sinigaglia together at the time of the 
 fair, two days of great interest, when he writes thus:—“Mr. Meyer 
 laboured three times more than I did, and the discussions took place 
 at the stall of his colporteur!” In 1865 he continued the work at 
 Pesaro and in districts neighbouring and more remote, extending his 
 itinerating mission as far as the Neapolitan frontier. He w’as more 
 than once associated with Mr. Meyer, who bore a pleasing testimony 
 to his usefulness in a letter addressed to one of the members of the 
 Nice Committee; as well as to the peculiar difficulties of the country 
 in which he labours. Superstition has fearfully degraded the ignorant 
 population, and it is indeed a triumph of grace when the simple Gospel 
 takes possession of the heart. He had then once more to encounter 
 every species of open and sometimes of violent persecution, and had 
 often to mourn over disappointed hopes, at the sight of some who at 
 first cordially welcomed him, but afterwards drew' back under priestly 
 influence, or the fear of reproach connected with a steadfast accept¬ 
 ance of the Gospel. In spite of all hindrances, he was permitted to 
 see some fruit of his labours. Besides the little church gathered at 
 Pesaro, there were believers at Chieti, Pescara, and other places. 
 Some idea of liis personal character under deep affliction may be 
 gathered from the following extracts from one of his letters :— 
 
 “ Pesaro, 29th December, 1864.—In tire profoundest grief I acquaint you with 
 the heavy trial which the Lord has laid on me. On the 17th, a boy of nine years 
 of age fell sick, and on the 19th he was taken from me. This loss too, has opened 
 afresh past wounds, and when it is remembered that in two years the Lord has 
 taken from me three sons—all grown—it is almost enough to deprive me of my 
 senses, and indeed I and my poor wife have been almost in this state. The Gay 
 family have shown us much Christian affection, and have greatly assuaged the trial 
 by sharing our grief. The son was greatly beloved by all his school-fellows. The 
 New Testament was his chief delight; and in the evening, when I explained to them 
 the Gospel, our hearts would beat with joy in hearing his answers to my questions.” 
 
 On the 13th March, 1865, one year within a few days of the 
 massacre at Barletta, there was great fear of an outbreak of a some¬ 
 what similar kind at Pesaro, and yet some of the converts there were 
 proposing to purchase for their meetings a small building which had 
 been used as a convent. This, however, Giannini, discouraged for the 
 moment, not thinking tlie work as yet sufficiently advanced for such 
 a step. 
 
 Barletta, it appears, was visited by a Colporteur in 1863, and Mr. 
 Meyer went and preached there for a short time in 1864. Giannini 
 went there on the 21st July, 1865, and on the 22nd engaged a large 
 room for the meetings. In writing from Pesaro, 29th September, 
 1865, he says :— 
 
 “ Upon the 21st July I arrived in Barletta, and on the 22nd engaged a large 
 room. For three or four evenings the meetings consisted of six persons ; for a few 
 
3 
 
 evenings following there were thirty; and a little later still, fifty; and great was the 
 desire manifested to hear the Word of God. These meetings were held up to the 
 28th of August without cessation, and I at length left the brethren at Barletta, 
 with a promise to return to them. 
 
 “ Pesaro, October 11th, 1865.—I am waiting from day to day for the call to 
 visit Porto di Fermo, where dear Mr. Meyer has taken a room, there to announce 
 the Gospel. This is entirely a new field of labour to which I am called.” 
 
 On the 11th November, he again writes of Fermo:— 
 
 “ I have to tell you that Mr. Meyer, in the month of August, spoke to some 
 persons, and they persuaded him to hire a room in the house of one who was to 
 form a member of the congregation. Having gone there to commence the work of 
 Evangelization, along with Mr. Meyer, who has paid all my expanses, these persons 
 hid themselves from us; no one was visible, and we were made the laughing-stock 
 of the place. We then discovered that there had been a plot in order to get hold of 
 80 francs, and, convinced that it was so, we for the present departed.” 
 
 He was afterwards disappointed of the room above mentioned, but 
 obtained another. In a letter received from him on the 24th February 
 last, less than a month before the massacre, he says 
 
 “I have delayed acknowledging your letter, as I desired to inform you how, on 
 the 18th, we partook of the Holy Supper, which for some time several had de- 
 ^ manded, and I would not deny theirrequest. The communicants were seventeen. Many 
 others had requested to be received, but having made them understand their respon¬ 
 sibility, and the responsibility of all who are brethren in receiving those who have 
 not given evidence of a change of life, and how serious the matter is in the sight of 
 the Lord, it was determined to the entire satisfaction of all parties, to wait for some 
 
 time.The room was so full that many had to stand. The scene 
 
 was truly a moving one from the silence, the respect, and the seriousness that 
 prevailed; and all seemed subdued by the power of God.” 
 
 His letter concludes thus:— 
 
 “ When the time comes for me to retire, if it pleases the Lord, it will be necessary 
 to think seriously of this field, for it cannot be that it should he abandoned at the 
 point to which the Lord has brought the work.” 
 
 It was a sense of liis own insufficiency for a work such as appeared 
 to be this opening before him which made him feel and write thus. 
 He had expressed this in a previous letter. The Nice Foreigners’ 
 Evangelization Committee, therefore, had passed a resolution at their 
 meeting of the 26th February to engage as schoolmaster a converted 
 priest, who had conducted a school whilst still a priest of the Roman 
 Catholic Church, and to send him as a help and encouragement to 
 Gfiannini at Barletta, he having asked for an instructor for the children 
 of the converts. A few days afterwards it was yet further resolved to 
 send one of their two experienced Evangelists at Milan—-Lagomarsino, 
 and Tealdo—for a time to Barletta. Lagomarsino, in reply, in a letter 
 dated 12th March, just a week before the outbreak,stated his readiness 
 to go, but requested that his departure might be delayed for a few 
 days, on account of some pressing matters which he had in hand at 
 Milan; and thus his life as well as that of Signor Cossu, the priest 
 and schoolmaster who was to accompany him, was probably preserved 
 through the good providence of God. 
 
 “ Barletta, March , 13, 1866. 
 
 “ I trust I shall not be wearisome in continuing to give you good tidings of the 
 Lord’s work. The good God be ever praised that His Holy Word is announced, to 
 many persons, and that remarkable conversions are manifested. The hall begins to 
 
be insufficient in size. It is true that there is a very small room adjoining, but this 
 also every evening is occupied during the evangelization by seven or eight persons, 
 ladies and gentlemen. The fire of persecution has reached its height, those who are 
 objects of the priests’ anger being driven from their occupations; but the Lord Jesus 
 renders them strong to suffer for His name. A young man of nineteen years has 
 been expelled from the house by his own father, and is necessitated to quit Barletta 
 and seek his bread elsewhere. His prayers in the meetings were full of spiritual life, 
 he is not much instructed, but reads the Word of God well. He was a devotee of 
 the Church of Rome, but when God revealed to him His grace, he received it into 
 his heart and became a good and true Christian. The priests cry out against us un¬ 
 sparingly; and in the shops, on the piazza, and in the houses, they talk of nothing 
 but the Protestants. The common people do all they can to endanger the brethren, 
 but thanks be to the Lord, hitherto we have nothing to deplore of a grave character. 
 To myself they use bad words, and frequently a stone is thrown at me. On Wed¬ 
 nesday I received a letter mentioning that in the evening some men would come 
 armed into the meeting, put to me some questions, and then violently take away 
 my life. So said the letter. The matter becoming known to the brethren, the room 
 was crowded, so that there was no standing-place. But what disturbed me was that 
 almost all were armed with large sticks. Three individuals came up the stairs, and 
 one of them approached the door to look in, and found some excuse for passing in; 
 but a brother, strong as a lion, perceiving what he was about, put him out, and 
 while following him discovered the two others behind the staircase, and caused them 
 all to descend very rapidly. 
 
 “On Thursday I received a deputation sent by a priest, proposing to me a discussion. 
 In the position in which I found myself I could not refuse; and, having made my 
 declaration as to the terms on which we should meet, I let them go. I am, however, 
 glad to tell you that the priest was not willing to come into my hall, and thus all is 
 finished. The Lord Jesus knows well how to order this work, and He confounds our 
 enemies. To His holy name be honour and glory. 
 
 “ Yesterday (Sunday) some Bibles were burnt in the church, and the priest made 
 allusions to an auto-da-fe, from which the common people conclude that I ought to 
 be dragged through the town. But, notwithstanding all that the priests and common 
 people say, the meeting acquires more life. If the Lord would provide in some way 
 for the instruction of the children, we should have a marvellous work. I am indeed 
 glad to assure you that the work goes on admirably, though most unpleasant expe¬ 
 dients are brought to bear against it. God is wiser and more powerful than His 
 enemies,” 
 
 The Evangelist then proceeds to speak of some domestic matters 
 relative to his wife and family, and then goes on— 
 
 “ At Pesaro, after public preaching, a colporteur arrived who made an extra¬ 
 ordinary sale of Bibles and Testaments. However it be, I have not the faith to 
 labour there any longer, and unless one does this work in faith, it is better to leave 
 it altogether. For the present I have only to add my request for your prayers and 
 those of all the dear brethren who take a deep interest in the Lord’s work, that all 
 things be for His glory, and that He may give me true spiritual iwsdom along with 
 great humility. Yours, &c., 
 
 “ Gaetano Giannini.” 
 
 “ Yesterday, after I had sealed this letter, I received a summons from the Delegato. 
 He, on the part of the Sotto Prefetto, said that he wished to speak with me. The 
 same evening we were assembled—the Delegato, Sotto Delegato, and Secretary. 
 They inquired if I knew who they were who wished to kill me. I replied, ‘ No,’ 
 but they had the names of several persons, with two priests at their head. This 
 morning the Sotto Prefetto desired to speak with me, and recommended the utmost 
 prudence on my part, and inquired if I had given money to women to induce them 
 to come to the Meeting. You may believe what was my answer. He desired also 
 to know the number of the attendants. I told him the truth; that upon the evenings 
 of evangelization there always came from sixty to eighty persons, and that more 
 would come if there were room. Upon my thus replying, he said, ‘ Dear Sir, I know 
 all. Be ever prudent as you have hitherto been, and if we can bring to an issue or 
 suppress this conspiracy against you, the authors of it shall be severely punished.’ It 
 is repugnant to me to speak of the dangers by which I am surrounded, but the con- 
 
dition of the lower orders and of the mob is teriffic. Conceive that last Monday they 
 came to my landlord and told him they wished to see the naked man and the naked 
 woman of whom I made there a spectacle every night. Pardon me if I weary you. 
 On Sunday a poor man who gave entertainments in the streets was there. The common 
 people cried out, 4 He has a devil, and is excommunicated,’ and rushed after him, in¬ 
 flicting blows, so that the police had to use force to set him at ilberty, all wounded 
 as he was. From this you may understand with what people we have to do. I 
 have, however, a profound confidence in the Lord, that not a hair shall fall unless 
 it be His holy will. But I ought not to be the less urgent in asking all those dear 
 brethren who are interested in me to pray for the good of my family and of my own 
 soul. Yours, &c., 
 
 “ Gaetano Giannini.” 
 
 Translation of letter of Gaetano Giannini:— 
 
 “Pesaro, March 27th, 1866. 
 
 “ Dear Mr. Gordon. 
 
 44 I fear much that you have already heard of the rising and of the barbarisms 
 committed in Barletta upon the 19tli. Being now in the midst of my family through 
 the mercy of God, I send you a narrative of the events, but with a mind still dis¬ 
 ordered. 
 
 44 On the 19th, at three p.m., I was in front of the balcony of our hall, when some 
 one made a menacing sign, and gave me to understand that he sought my life. I 
 said to the owner of the house, 4 Signore Philip, there is a movement of the people; 
 my life is in danger! ’ He, like a wise man, made me close the window, and we sat 
 down each upon the divan; suddenly two boys, of the ages of thirteen and fourteen, 
 sons of two dear brethren, entered, and threw themselves upon my neck and cried, 
 ‘ Signore Gaetano, the populace seek your blood, your life! ’ The owner went into 
 the gallery, and seeing that the crowd came from ‘ the place ’ with the cry of death, 
 desired me to come with him upon the roof, and pointed out the direction. I 
 entreated the children to leave me alone, but they said, 4 No; we will die with you!’ 
 and I led them with me from roof to roof. After a long progress in this manner, 
 I found a dormer window, which gave entrance to a house, but the moment I had 
 placed foot in it, the owner of it came and severely drove me out. I committed 
 our souls to the Lord, and resumed our way, and having found a terrace upon which 
 we might jump, I descended first, and afterwards took down the boys. But that 
 was not a place for us, and seeing another little terrace, I descended, and drew down 
 the boys, and looking about anxiously, I discovered a door half closed. I opened 
 the door like a robber, and seeing a bed, I took my two dear ones and placed them 
 with me under the bed, one on my right hand, and the other on my left. They 
 united their almost dying voices with my feeble prayer to the Lord. But we were 
 interrupted, for people came close to us in order to approach the window to see the 
 raging populace. All of a sudden appeared a 4 canonico,’ who went round the 
 room, and hearing that he was the proprietor, our hearts died within us. About 
 dusk I took the children, with a view to escape, by the way by which we had come, 
 but found it difficult to ascend. Finding some stones and placing them under my 
 feet, I made the boys mount up and then followed myself; but the second necessary 
 step was even more difficult. According to the will of the good God I was able to 
 place one boy above in safety, and then joined him; but at the moment when I 
 stretched out my hand to raise the boy who was left, came upon us the proprietor 
 and said, 4 Remain in the room!’ Presenting myself to him half dead with the boys 
 I implored his compassion. That dear man conducted us into another room, where 
 we were secure, and could not be seen by anyone. The night advanced, and I 
 again thought of sending away the boys to their homes. I did so one at a time. 
 But one of them found his father barbarously murdered. I then begged the pro¬ 
 prietor to inform the sous-prefet that I was safe, and that he had provided for the 
 security of my life. He sent his brother to carry the message. The sous-prefet sent 
 immediately a captain-superintendent of excisemen with his men, and I was con- 
 duc ted into the military fort, in order to my safety. 
 
 44 Signor Philippo Fusco, the proprietor of our hall, when he returned from the 
 roof to which he had conducted me, returned into his apartment, and found his wife, 
 with an infant of five months in her arms, wounded in the forehead, who had, with 
 her left arm, warded off several blows of a stick. He had strength to take his wife 
 
6 
 
 and conduct her to a place of safety above the terrace. He then, with the courage of 
 a lion, presented him self to these evil-doers, saying, * Brethren of Barletta, I am your 
 friend, your brother; do not take away my life.’ They cried, ‘Give us the Pro¬ 
 testants and all will be over;’ but he refused, saying that I had escaped, upon 
 which a blow from a stick fell upon his head. Among the crowd there arose a 
 confusion, some wishing him dead, and others desiring to preserve his life, and he 
 profiting by the moment, succeeded in saving himself by ascending to the roof 
 where he had conducted us. The mob, thirsting for blood and plunder, destroyed 
 the furniture, threw everything from the balconies into the street, beds and all else, 
 even the doors from their hinges, the windows, &c., and consigned all to the flames; 
 pouring spirits upon them in order to consume all more speedily. After this they 
 entered the apartment of his brother-in-law on the other side of the building, and 
 having found a young man, our dear friend, they poniarded him, and threw him 
 from the balcony upon the fire, and then all the furniture, beds, &c. Of that 
 building there remains only the walls, and men and women escaped with only the 
 clothes upon their backs. The same lot befel a dear brother, a seller of wine; all 
 was robbed and burned, and wine and oil were poured out in large quantities, with 
 many dresses and other articles. A fourth brother, after having all that his house 
 contained burned, was barbarously murdered. While under the blows of the dagger 
 he declared Jesus Christ to be his Saviour. This man, dear to me in the Lord, was 
 father of the boy who was with me on the roof. There remains the desolate 
 mother with a girl and boy of the ages of thirteen and fourteen, The mother is 
 converted, and all the family were the glory of the Church of Barletta. A fifth 
 brother suffered the loss of all his furniture, but his life was preserved by the mercy 
 of God. Many brethren escaped into the country, but a cordon was'drawn round, 
 and with great difficulty they escaped. At the approach of night they believed 
 that all danger was ended. A priest presented himself to them as a friend, and after 
 talking with them took his leave. But in a very little time they saw him on horse¬ 
 back with a number of the country people. The brethren took to flight, and fortu¬ 
 nately, the night being advanced, pursuers and pursued missed each other, and the 
 latter, each thinking to preserve his own life, they all escaped, many thanks 
 be to the Lord. The first arrested were three priests and a Capuchin, and in the 
 course of the 20th, about seventy-two persons were conducted into the fort where I 
 was. In the evening about six o’clock a strong body of troops came into the fort, 
 took the prisoners, conducted them to the station, and by special train they were 
 forwarded to Trani. On the 21st other arrests were made, to the number of about 
 thirty persons, and among them was a gentleman of position, upon whom was 
 fund a list of families who were to be sacrificed on that day—the number was 
 seventy-nine families, not persons. Upon another canonico were found articles 
 belonging to the proprietor of my house. All those who were arrested I have 
 seen, because, as they passed along the square of the fort, they saw me and I 
 saw them. The brethren so brutally murdered are three in number, and another 
 poor young man a Roman Catholic, who being taken for a Protestant was stoned, 
 and his corpse dragged about. Of these three brethren, however, only one 
 was a communicant. Of the people ten were killed with the bayonet, and many 
 wounded. The Delegato received a dagger wound so as to endanger his life, he 
 having a likeness to me. Our dear brother referred to before was wouuded in the 
 forehead and in the side, but, thanks to the Lord, without any danger. The furious 
 multitude rushed to the house of the sous-prefet, believing that I had taken refuge 
 there. The sous-prefet, with some of his men, was obliged to take refuge upon his 
 terrace, and from that somewhere else, but was wounded by the tiles which were '*) 
 thrown at him. The commandant of the fort, Signor Guiseppe Robatti, has treated 
 me as if I were his own son. 
 
 “ A gentleman of Barletta, who had come from America to visit his mother, having 
 heard that there was a meeting of Protestants, came to find me on the Lord’s day 
 morning, when I was making a reading with my dear children. Having asked 
 some questions, he expressed his satisfaction with all, and gave me to understand that 
 he was himself employed in the Lord’s work. In the evening he came to the meeting, 
 and was amazed at the number of the audience. He put some questions to the 
 brethren and to the boys, and it was easily seen that he was a man very intelligent 
 in the Word of God. When the preaching was ended, he kissed me with much love, 
 and gave thanks to the Lord Jesus for so great a benefit received. 
 
 “ When the sad events of the 19th occurred, having heard that I had been killed 
 
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 he went to the sous-prefet to learn if it were true. Learning how the Lord had pre¬ 
 served me, he came to the fort, and seeing me, he ceased not to embrace me. 
 
 “ All his solicitude turned towards me, and seeing that I had only a cap on my 
 head, he gave me 20 francs to buy me a hat, and anything I wanted at the moment. 
 The name of this gentleman is C. D. Andrea Passaro, who came to visit me twice a 
 day. On the 23rd he was in my company along with other brethren, awaiting the 
 order from the sous-prefet for my departure. The Commandant of the Fort, re¬ 
 turning from the sous-prefet, told me I might go by the train of half-past nine, and 
 gave me 50 francs for my journey. The brother Passaro then took me by the arm, 
 and as we went together out of the fort, many brethren met us. Passing through 
 the centre of the city, I found myself surrounded by more than fifty brethren. 
 Tears were shed, and my face was covered with kisses. The scene was a very 
 meving one. Many gentlemen raised their hats in token of their great sympathy. 
 Work was abandoned to come and see and salute the victim who was to have been 
 sacrificed upon the altar of barbarism. Many whom I had never spoken with en¬ 
 treated me to return soon to Barletta. At the station were many people; and to 
 the brethren I addressed a few words upon the subject of the forgiveness which they 
 ought to accord to our enemies as a manifestation of the Christian character. There 
 was not an eye among the brethren which did not weep, as well as did many others. 
 When I entered the train and departed, I was saluted by the taking off of hats, 
 and many women saluted me whom I had never seen. The blood of our Martyrs of 
 Barletta is a great triumph for the Gospel. The fire which I have left behind 
 cannot be extinguished. I cannot speak or write to give you a more exact account 
 0 , of that scene, and of the requests made to me to return as soon as possible there 
 among them. 
 
 *****:*>** 
 
 Here he sets forth his losses, and then goes on to say:— 
 
 “ Of clothes I have only what I wore on the 19th. The brother Gay has lent me 
 a shirt. Having thus given a statement of what has befallen me, and of the con¬ 
 dition in which I am, I have only to trust in God and in your goodness, and that of 
 all those dear gentlemen who have all along had so much consideration for me. I 
 ought not to think so much of myself as of the proprietor of the apartment. I com¬ 
 mend him to the charity of all. He, rather than give me into the hands of the mob, 
 exposed his own life, the life of his wife, and all their property. At the least, let 
 us endeavour to repair the loss of the furniture of the hall I occupied, and of the 
 little chamber kindly lent me. Indeed I believe some token of gratitude due to a 
 man who has risked everything for the life of a servant of the Lord. 
 
 “ I have the strongest conviction that I should return as soon as possible to Bar¬ 
 letta. No one can conceive the ardour which I experience. The work is extra¬ 
 ordinary, and woe to us if we do not do our duty. I only ask that you give me the 
 means to settle my son at Florence, and to have made a suit of clothes that I may 
 present myself in public. If the dear friends do not think of my feelings, let them 
 at least think of the great work, for great is their responsibility before God. This 
 is the third time that my life has been miraculously saved, and, by the grace of God, 
 I feel myself always more strengthened in the faith of the Son of God, and I shall 
 be content to die for the work of the Lord. I pray you to answer me quickly, and 
 to give me good hopes of not being disappointed in my purpose, the facts being as 
 they are. 
 
 “ 1 forgot to tell you of the cry of that furious mob. Some carried aloft the cross, 
 4| and cried ‘ Viva la fede ! ’ ‘ Yiva Iddio !’ ‘ Viva il Re Vittorio Emanuele!’ ‘ Viva 
 Garibaldi, e morte ai Protestanti! ’ Such were the frantic cries of that mob. Pray 
 to the Lord for me. The state of my health is not bad. What oppresses me 
 at present is confusion of head, which prevents my doing anything; only there passes 
 before me continually my murdered brothers. 
 
 “ I commend myself to the Lord Jesus, who alone can dispose all, and do for me 
 that which is for the good of my soul. Many Christian salutations to your dear 
 lady, and may the good God pour down upon you and upon all your dear family all 
 His holy blessings. 
 
 “ Your affectionate servant and brother in Christ Jesus, our hope, 
 
 (Signed) * ‘ Gaetano Giannini. 
 
 “ P.S. —If, after correcting it, you please to give my letter publication abroad, 
 you may rely upon its entire veracity.” 
 
8 
 
 Translation of a letter from the Rev. T. Meyer published in the 
 “ Raccoglitore Evangelico : ”— 
 
 “Dear Brother in Jesus Christ, 
 
 “ The melancholy occurrences at Barletta having been fully described by those who, 
 being present on that unhappy day, were better informed than myself, it only re¬ 
 mains for me to give an exact account of what I myself saw and did in Barletta 
 during my three days’ stay in that city. Several journals having spoken of my 
 visit, and necessarily in an imperfect manner, mingling the true and the false, it is 
 my duty to correct these errors, and furnish an authentic report. And here it may 
 be asked, What motive, obligation, or duty was there for me to hasten to the aid of 
 our distressed brethren ? The answer is plain enough. Two years ago, whilst 
 taking a tour in that part of the country, I passed through Barletta. There I was 
 enthusiastically received, and had the privilege of being the first to announce the 
 Word of Life. From that time I have always maintained a connection with the 
 brethren of Barletta, and Signor Gianini, |who established himself there during 
 the past summer, has always been a dear friend of mine from the moment that we 
 met at Ancona. Nearly every week he gave me intelligence of the progress and of 
 the impediments that he encountered in his work. It was therefore most natural 
 that, hearing what had occurred, I should feel constrained, not only by sympathy 
 and Christian compassion, but from the friendship I bore to Signor Giannini, to 
 decide upon going to Barletta, to offer to our afflicted brethren the little comfort 
 and help which the Lord might enable me to administer. 
 
 “ I arrived at Barletta on Friday, the 23rd of March. The town was crowded ^ 
 with military, and I had much difficulty 'in finding accommodation. Without 
 quitting the hotel, I learnt that what my correspondent had written to me was onty 
 too true. I heard also that Signor Gianini had left the same day, and that his 
 departure was regarded by the defenders of ‘ the true faith and the true Church ’ as 
 a complete victory, the general impression being that henceforward the work of 
 Evangelization was at an end in Barletta, and that no Evangelist would be permitted 
 to establish himself there. I cannot describe to you the grief which this intelligence 
 caused me. The following day my first object w r as to seek out and gather round 
 me our dear brethren. This was not such an easy matter as it may seem. 
 Frightened and discouraged, they scarcely dared leave their homes, and some who 
 had taken flight had not yet returned. Still I succeeded in my attempt. During 
 the course of the morning I saw a number of them, and could observe how much my 
 presence stimulated their courage. It was regarded as an earnest of the sympathy 
 and compassion that they would receive from all Evangelical Christians, and was, 
 therefore, a source of comfort and consolation. But although discouraged and 
 frightened, our brethren of Barletta did not waver in the least in the faith. Weeping 
 and sorrowful, they still rejoiced to be counted worthy to suffer for the name of 
 Christ. Their greatest fear was that now their Evangelist having been obliged to 
 leave, they would no longer have the privilege of hearing the Word of God. I asked 
 them if they would have the courage to attend a meeting, in case I could obtain 
 from the authorities not only the permission to hold one, but the promise of pro¬ 
 tection ; all answered that they desired nothing so much. 
 
 “ As my intention is only to give you a plain statement of facts, I will say nothing 
 of what I felt while visiting the ruined houses, especially that in which the meetings 
 were held. In it the traces of fire were everywhere visible ; all that could be broken 
 and torn was destroyed, and the fragments still strewed the ground. The stains of 
 our murdered brother’s blood could be still seen on the walls and on the balcony ' 
 from which they had hurled his corpse into the fire. Neither will I tell you how 
 my heart bled on seeing the tears of the widow and orphans. He who would not 
 feel overcome by a spectacle such as this must indeed be heartless. I had no other 
 consolation to give but that of the Word of God. This, however, was received with 
 faith and gratitude. 
 
 “ The news of my arrival soon spread, and I could see how I was looked upon 
 with an evil eye by all except our brethren, who every moment seemed to gather 
 courage. About four in the afternoon I waited on the Sous Prefet, being presented 
 to him by Signor de Martino, the English Vice-Consul. He received me with the 
 greatest courtesy, and did not offer any obstacle to my request to be allowed to 
 hold a meeting on the following day; only requiring that he should be informed 
 of the place and hour, in order to take the necessary precautions. But here began 
 
our real difficulty. It was impossible to find a Locale ; sogreat s till was the fear of 
 the mob, that even the liberals refused to expose their houses to the danger of being 
 destroyed. All feared a repetition of the horrors of Thursday, and deputations 
 were sent to the sous-prefet to demand my expulsion. The permission granted us 
 seemed therefore useless, and I had lost ail hope, when one of the brethren, who 
 keeps a cafe, spontaneously offered it for the purpose. He was perfectly aware of 
 the dangers to which he exposed himself, not only at the time, but also for the 
 future; but so great was his faith and his readiness to suffer everything for the Name 
 of Jesus, that every other consideration lost its force. It was already three o’clock 
 in the afternoon, when, accompanied by three of the brethren, I went to the Sous- 
 Prefet, to give the required information; but to my very great surprise, I not only 
 found that the meeting was absolutely prohibited, but that the Prefet of Bari had 
 given orders for my expulsion. It is not necessary to repeat my conversation with 
 the Sous-Prefet, a summary of it may be found in the letter which I addressed to 
 the ‘ Corriere delle Marche.’ I would not have left Barletta, at least of my own 
 will, until I had been able to hold this meeting, as this was the only means of 
 wresting from the hands of our enemies the victory which they thought they had 
 obtained, and of making them see that the law is on our side, and grants us the 
 right of free worship, so that neither the violence of a fanatical mob, instigated by 
 its priests and preachers, the weakness of the authorities, or the unfriendly attitude 
 of the National Guard of Barletta, could deprive us of this most precious right. 
 Whilst I was still talking to the sous-prefet, a telegraphic despatch arrived from 
 Florence, which put an end to all these doubts and difficulties. Having deciphered 
 the telegram, the sous-prefet instantly granted the desired permission, and pro¬ 
 ceeded to give the ‘ Delegato,’ who had been present all the time, the requisite 
 orders for our security. The measures adopted seemed to me superfluous, but of 
 this, of course, I was not the judge. Four o’clock had already struck when I left 
 the sous-prefet, little more than two hours were left to warn the brethren and to 
 make all the necessary preparations ; but in spite of this short notice, before seven 
 the Locale was quite full; another proof of the zeal of our Barletta brethren. More 
 than eighty persons were present, and many were obliged to go away for want of 
 room. Outside thero were a few Carabineers and Guards of public security; but 
 numerous patrols were in the neighbourhood, and at a short distance from the 
 house, although concealed in the railway station, a considerable body of soldiers 
 was posted. It is not, therefore, surprising, that our meeting was in no way dis¬ 
 turbed; but neither on our dispersion were any of us molested in the slightest 
 degree, an evident proof that the timidity and weakness of the authorities had given 
 license to the audacity of the mob a few days before. I walked alone about the 
 streets at ten o’clock at night, and did not perceive the smallest sign of excitement. 
 Many gentlemen, with whom I conversed on the events of the day, rejoiced with 
 me, and seemed to think that my coming, and course of action, had in some measure 
 neutralized the violation of their constitutional rights. 
 
 “ But what shall I say of the meeting itself ? I have travelled over nearly the 
 whole of Europe, and preached often under extraordinary circumstances; but this 
 meeting was certainly the most remarkable that I ever attended. Strange enough, 
 truly, and little adapted to the purpose, was the place itself—with its counter, its 
 bottles, and all the apparatus of a cafe. However, this was of little importance, 
 for our God does not ‘ dwell in temples made with hands; He is a spirit, and would 
 be worshipped in spirit and in truth.’ But a few days previously the greater 
 number of those present had been obliged to seek safety in flight or concealment ; 
 some had suffered the loss of all things, every wound was still fresh and bleeding, 
 and none of us could tell whether he would return alive to his house that night. 
 The circumstances suggested the text—Luke, chap. vi. verses 22 and 28. All 
 were impressed, and the brethren felt themselves strengthened and comforted. In 
 my discourse I consoled them with the promises of the Word of God, and added 
 that they might rely upon the sympathy, compassion, and charity of Evangelical 
 Christians everywhere, and that that compassion would not be shewn in words 
 only, but in deed and in truth. I gave them the assurance that all Evangelical 
 Christians would unite to repair their losses and sufferings, and to continue the 
 preaching of the Gospel amongst them. Shall not my promises be made good? 
 Will Evangelical brethren permit that I should have held out false hopes ? If ever 
 there was a case that called for the active assistance of all our Evangelical brethren, 
 it is that of our brethren of Barletta. The faith and patience that they manifested 
 
10 
 
 in the time of persecution, and which they exhibit now that they are again left to 
 themselves, prove assuredly that the work in Barletta is not superficial, hut deep 
 and sincere; and would it be possible that Evangelical Christians could abandon 
 these their afflicted brethren without doing all in their power to repair the heavy 
 losses they have sustained, to console, as far as man can do, the afflicted and dis¬ 
 tressed, and to re-establish the preaching of the Word? I never will believe it. 
 
 “ Having attained my object, I left Barletta on Monday, the 26th of March. The 
 accounts that I continue to receive are reassuring. The tranquillity of the city had 
 not been further disturbed. The legal proceedings which have been instituted against 
 the rioters, instigators as well as actors, have alarmed our enemies. Another attempt 
 to impede the Evangelicals of Barletta in the free exercise of their religious worship, 
 would not now be so easy. On their side the Barletta brethren are full of faith 
 and zeal, and desire nothing but the return of their Evangelist. 
 
 “And the Roman Catholics of Barletta? They are cither frightened, as I have 
 already said, or ashamed of the conduct of their ecclesiastical superiors, while some 
 are full of admiration at the behaviour of the Evangelicals, and seek instruction in 
 our Evangelical faith. A Barletta brother, only a shoemaker, writes thus a few days 
 ago to Signor Giannini:—‘ My dear Brother, come I beseech you. speedily to Barletta, 
 for so many Roman Catholics come to my house to hear the Word of God that I 
 cannot go on with my work.’ 
 
 “ I could say much more regarding the work in Barletta, on the excellent disposi¬ 
 tion of our brethren, &c., but both time and strength fail, and this letter is already 
 long enough, With your permission I will recur to the subject in another letter. 
 
 “ Your affectionate brother in Jesus Christ, 'T 
 
 (Signed) “ Theodore Meter.” 
 
 “Ancona, April 10th, 1866.” 
 
 “Barletta, 16 tth April, 1866. 
 
 “ Esteemed Sir and Brother in Jesus Christ,— 
 
 (He begins about matters at Milan, and then proceeds):—“lam now at Barletta. It 
 is one of those situations in which one needs all the patience and prudence which come 
 from God to be able to remain in it. After what has happened, the brethren are a little 
 disconcerted, but not dismayed; on the contrary, they are but too courageous, for they 
 would wish to have public meetings in the cafes; but I opposed myself to this, for hav¬ 
 ing been called before the sous-prefet, he requested me to act with the greatest prudence, 
 so as not to create new difficulties for the government while the prosecution is being 
 carried on against the unfortunate men who, in their ignorance, were excited against 
 the Christians. I promised to follow conscientiously his advice, so that if, un¬ 
 fortunately any new disturbance should arise, I may truly say that it has not been 
 caused by me. I am meanwhile looking for a locale for Evangelization and for the 
 school. It will be difficult to find one now, because the proprietors are still under 
 the vivid impression produced by the burning of the houses and furniture ; but when 
 a little time has passed it will be easier to obtain a room. In the meantime, I hold 
 meetings at the inn every evening. It would be too long to relate to you in detail 
 what happened in this town on the 19th March, and besides you have seen it already 
 in the newspapers. The damage done is certainly great. The value of the furni¬ 
 ture and other objects burnt amounts to about 30,000 francs. The two poor widows 
 are both ill. One of them whom I visited this morning is obliged to dwell in a 
 wretched hovel, instead of the substantial and pretty cottage which she inhabited 
 before. The husband of this woman died really like a martyr. When the riot & 
 broke out in Barletta, he was the first seized. They laid a wooden cross on his 
 shoulders and beat him with sticks. When he fell, the ruffians who were murdering 
 him besprinkled him with his blood, said to him, ‘ This is the blood of Christ; cry 
 ‘ Viva Cristo!’ and he said, ‘Viva Cristo!’ Then a priest came up to him and 
 asked whether he would confess and acknowledge the Divine presence in the Host 
 (riconscere il Sacramento). Our brother answered that he knew Christ, and was 
 happy to die for Him, but that he needed no sacrament; whereupon the infuriated 
 multitude fell upon him and killed him. It is not known whether or not they 
 dragged his body through the city. In my next letter I will give you more 
 details. 
 
 “A collection has been made at Milan in favour of the sufferers and the widows 
 and orphans. It has produced 124f. 13c., which I have delivered into the hands of 
 
11 
 
 a committee which has been formed for the purpose amongst the brethren at 
 Barletta. 
 
 “ I shall be here for some time yet, hut I suffer unspeakably, and cannot refrain 
 from weeping every time I speak or write on these subjects, so strong is the im¬ 
 pression I have received from the sight of the spot where these events took place. I 
 see, however, that it was good that somebody should come here, and I thank God 
 for having moved me to come. It is so sweet to comfort the poor afflicted brethren, 
 and to strengthen them with the Word of Love, that I could not imagine a greater 
 consolation on earth. The spirit of the brethren is not broken,—they are full of 
 courage. 
 
 “ The Government protects them as much as possible ; the Sous-Prefet warmly 
 requested me to have directly recourse to him on every occasion, and has shown 
 much interest towards the Evangelical Christians. Pray for us, and accept, Sir, the 
 salutation of your devoted brother in Jesus Christ. 
 
 (Signed) “P. Lagomarsino. 
 
 “ Our brother Cossu is with me in Barletta, according to the advice of Mr. 
 Gordon.” 
 
 As soon as intelligence of the terrible calamity reached us, this 
 Committee (having by their agent, Signor Giannini, begun the work 
 at Barletta, and thence feeling their responsibility) took immediate 
 fcr steps for collecting money to afford early relief to the sufferers, some 
 of which has been already sent. We have since learned that a Special 
 Committee has been formed at Florence, having the like object in view. 
 Appeals to the sympathy of the Christian public having thus been 
 made by two Committees, it became necessary to divide the work to 
 be accomplished, and it has been consequently arranged that the 
 Florence Committee shall undertake the relief of the sufferers, the 
 widows, and orphans generally, leaving to this Committee the care 
 of the Evangelist Giannini, and Plvilppo Fusco. 
 
 It is reasonable to suppose that the laws of Italy make provision 
 for the indemnification of persons whose property has been destroyed 
 under such circumstances ; but in the state in which the kingdom of 
 Italy now finds herself, such indemnity may he expected to be long 
 delayed, if, indeed it ever be obtained by the people, and thus both 
 Committees will find large demands on them ; for on the Nice Com¬ 
 mittee will also devolve the obligation of providing for a more per¬ 
 manent teaching at Barletta, the establishment of schools there, and 
 enlarged efforts for a wider spread of the Gospel in that neighbour¬ 
 hood, where it is evident, from information we now possess, the state 
 of the people gives promise, under the Divine blessing, of a rich 
 harvest; and to these objects will be devoted any portion of the 
 funds received exceeding the sum needed for the other objects in 
 ^ view. 
 
 Contributions will be thankfully received by the Hon. Secretary at 
 Nice; Herbert Mayo, Esq., Oak Hill, Hampstead; by any Member 
 of the Committee; and by Messrs. Barnett, TIoare, & Co., 61, 
 Lombard Street, London. 
 
 Yates & Alexander, Printers, Church Passage, Chancery Lane. 
 
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