BRIEF NOTES or CHRISTIAN WORK IN ITALY FREE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. January 1876. FLORENCE, PRINTED BY G. BARBERA. 1876. TO THE FRIENDS OF THE EVANGELIZATION OF ITALY. CHIESA SGOZZESE. 11, Lung’Arno Guicciardini, Florence, 10 th January, 1876. Dear Christian Friends, While the Annual Report of the Free Christian Church in Italy is being prepared for Friends and Subscribers , I have thought it well to send you a few notes from the December Reports of some of the Evangelists. Yours very sincerely, John R. M c Dougall. Contributions for the Free Christian Church will be thankfully received by the following Gentlemen London, Mess rs Barclay and C oy , 54, Lombard Street. » Rev cl R. S. Ashton, B. A., Secretary of the Evangelical Continental Society, 13, Blom- field St., Finsbury. » John Rae, Esq., L. L. D., 9, Mincing Lane. Edinburgh, W m Leckie, Esq., Commercial Bank. » John Hoyes, Esq., 7, Ainslie Place. Treasurer of Edinburgh Committee. Glasgow, Alex 1 Stronach, Esq., City of Glasgow Bank. » W ra Martin, Esq., 90, Mitchell St. Treasurer of Glasgow Committee. Few York, A. S. Barnes, Esq., Ill, William St. » F. Palmer, Esq., Broadway Bank. Florence, Mess rs Eyre and Matteini, American Bankers, Via Maggio. » Mess rs Haskard and Son, English Bankers, or by Palazzo Antinori, S, Piazza, San Gaetano. . Rev. John R. M c Dougall, Chiesa Scozzese, 11, Lung' Arno Guicciardini, Florence. P.S. — An ordinary cheque, upon any home-bank, made payable to Rev d John R. M c Dougall, and forwarded to Florence by post, can be cashed without loss. The postage to Italy is 2’A 11 * I I Turin. — Two conversions last month. One is the father of a family and the other a lieutenant in the army. Both are very earnest in seeking to bring others to Jesus, as indeed are all the members of the Church. The deli¬ very of a course of scientifico-religious lectures by the Evan¬ gelist has created much interest. One of the Turinese jour¬ nals continues gratuitously to advertise the subjects of discourse, both on the Sundays and Thursdays. The re¬ cent topics have been as follows, " The necessity of rege¬ neration, ” " The summary of the law, ” " Spiritual exis¬ tences, ” " The utility of the Gospel. ” “ Serpents, ancient and modern, ” " The papal Church is not, and cannot be, the Christian Church, ” and so on. In addition to mon¬ thly collections for Sustentation Fund, the Church regu¬ larly gathers in subscriptions for a larger and better place of worship. Two leading newspapers of the town urged the Municipality to grant some old Roman Catholic Church, in disuse, to this popular movement, but there is little hope in this direction. Fisa and Ghezzano. — 166 pupils are on the rolls of the two evangelical schools, so admirably conducted by Miss Carruthers and the Rev. d Professor Be Michelis. This Evangelist was last July appointed by the Italian Government to an important educational post, which places all Schools, both public and private, in the whole Country around Pisa, under his inspection and control, including those of two convents, as also those supported by the King of Italy, in the ground of his shooting-box of San Ros- sore, near Pisa. Permanent buildings have been secured at Ghezzano. An Italian Christian distributes Scripture por¬ tions in Pisa, gratuitously but not indiscriminately. Here also the evangelical newspaper, “ Fede e Scienza ” is published. » 6 — Ostiglia. — Hitherto less religious feeling has been dis¬ played than had been expected. Though it may be said that there is scarcely a house, in which a Bible and some Tracts are not to be found, they seem to remain unread, through prevailing indifference to the interests of the soul. Bologna. — The Ultramontane party here is very busy, through the " Society of young persons on behalf of Ca¬ tholic Interests. ” Notwithstanding their jesuitical arts among families, not all the people are papists or indiffe¬ rent or incredulous. Now and again some anxious soul turns to Jesus Christ. Six members of the Church have died during the last two months, and several families have removed from the town, yet there are 60 communicants, and a large number of Catechumens. Many families kindly open their doors to the Evangelist. Two Jews have la¬ tely been enquiring as to the way Zionward. Naples. — The Rev. d Francis Lagomarsino, whose mi¬ nistry in Milan has been so largely blessed during many years, has been transferred to this important Capital of Southern Italy. He will have associated with him the elo¬ quent converted priest, Cocchi, who has given full proof of his ministry in Florence, during the last year. Savona. —- The little Church of 10 members and 6 ca¬ techumens is looked upon with a kindly eye by the mem¬ bers of the many operative Societies in the town. The Evangelist has insisted very earnestly in favor of the complete sanctification of the Lord’s Hay. So much so, that one family, which has recently begun a business, which certainly would have thriven best on the Sunday, regu¬ larly closes the shop on the first day of the week, in obedience to the Lord. His is one out of many instan¬ ces of a similar kind. At the close of each service the contribution-box, which was presented by one of the Elders, is placed on the table, in sight of all the worshippers, and each one adds his mite to the Lord’s Treasury. Treviglio. — Three popish missionary preachers have lately so fanaticised the population, that the Evangelist has been turned out of house and hall, and has had the great¬ est difficulty, in a free Italy, to obtain a roof over his head. The first apartment he secured happily belonged to a proprietor, who resided at a distance. But this availed little. The other tenants united in a nine day’s interces¬ sion to the Virgin Mary, and when, at the urgent plea¬ ding of the owner, and on condition that another lodging should he found, the Evangelist removed, they cried out loudly that a miracle had been wrought from heaven in answer to their prayers. The reason of all this distur¬ bance is that the Evangelist has been unwearied in speak¬ ing for Christ, and distributing tracts from house to house. His present landlord is liberal, and sympathises strongly with the evangelical movement in Italy. Taranto. — There are already 20 brethren in connection with this flourishing Mission, most of whom are full of faith and Christian life. Large crowds attend the meetings, the preaching of the Gospel being a novelty in these South¬ ern regions. One of the members of the Church, who has a hard-ware shop, keeps a small Depot of Bibles and Tracts. As his business requires him to keep pictures of the Madonna, it often happens, that intending purcha¬ sers of these, carry away the Bible or some evangelical book instead, for the shopkeeper never loses an opportu¬ nity of testifying for Christ. His shop is the place where the Evangelist carries on much of his Christian work. Bari. — Only one of the hearers last month joined the Church, while two of the brethren in name, but not in living faith, have separated themselves. Though with us, they were not of us. There are large gatherings in Church, though from mere curiosity. In some, however, the word of life operates as good seed. Let us go on sowing that seed, without any pretensions to be reapers. The harvest will come, in God’s own time. Milan. — One marriage, one baptism and two conver¬ sions in November. One of these converts is a Roman Gen¬ tleman, the other a Milanese laborer. The Gentleman is so grateful to God for convincing him of the error of his way, namely, the incredulity of many years, caused by the scandalous actions of the priests of Rome and their absurd teachings. Attracted by the beauty of Christ’s life, and the purity of His doctrines, exhibited in all their simplicity in the evangelical Church, he desires to join that body, — 3 — in which God is worshipped in Spirit and in truth, and Christ adored as the only and the living Saviour. Not less excellent and zealous is the other Neophyte. May the Lord hear our prayers for the conversion of thousands of Lom¬ bard workmen to Christ. Brethren, pray for us. Treviso, — This Church has varied in numbers from 41 to 24 during the last year, from deaths, removals and other causes. The clerical party wages war against us constantly. There is a strong desire to get a better place of worship, so as to bring in the 36 protestants of different foreign nationalities. Little gatherings of brethren at Conegliano and Belluno. Many visits by the active Evangelist to Chris¬ tians scattered throughout the Venetian provinces. He pro¬ tests against the entrance of another denomination into one of his stations, on which he has labored so much for two years. Udine, — The Evangelist has just returned from Trieste, where he has been interesting German Protestant friends in Italian work. Larger and more accessible place of wor¬ ship much needed for this growing cause—also schoolrooms. Evangelist has held many Conferences this autumn, at the request of the people, in different parts of Friuli. He writes much in the daily papers, particularly in that of Signor Vogrig, a liberal evangelical priest, whom the parishioners of Pignano have chosen as their Minister, in defiance of the Bishop’s threats. Yerona. — Religious indifference prevails. The Evan¬ gelist refers in proof, to an Officer, who in conversation with him denied the existence of God, to a professor of Languages, who confessed his ignorance of the Bible, and to a priest, who declaimed against so much Scriptural truth, saying that all that was needed for salvation was to be within the pale of Holy Mother Church. Brescia. — Two departures from the town and the grievous attack of an incurable disease have lately thinned the ranks of this small, but living and witnessing Church. Desenzano. — Although the religious excitement and the crowds of a few months ago have passed away, and though the priests have indulged in every variety of oppo¬ sition, and have prevented the hiring of any large place of Meeting, the brethren here gather in each others’ hou- ses, and their bold testimony for Christ has led to several notable sinners being turned from hostility to friendship. Bassignana. — Crowded services in the new buildings secured for this agricultural borough. These were sold by the Mayor, in the Central Square, and for a small price. Hearty, sturdy, loving Christians here, many of whom are small proprietors. If the Lord would but grant 2 or 300 such movements, the turning of the tide in Italy would not he long delayed. San Giovanni Pellice. — As the result of the revival of last winter, the ordinary services are much more nume¬ rously attended, and many have had their mouths opened to praise the Lord for what He has done. Nightly meet¬ ings for the study of the word have deeply interested the congregation, and attracted many hearers, among whom quite a number of Roman Catholics remain constant in their attendance. Florence. — 75 children in the Sabbath School, con¬ ducted on the most approved American system. Dayschools are very prosperous. 150 children in attendance. The Bazaar on their behalf, in the Rev. d M. r M. c Dougall’s house has this month realized above £, 80. Church regu¬ larly and numerously attended at all the services, and precious signs of God’s presence and blessing are afforded in frequent conversions. One occasional hearer died lately in the Hospital, witnessing a noble confession. Another lies in the same place, a member of the Church, who has fought most of his Country’s battles of late years, but glories more in being a good soldier of Jesus Christ. The Hon. Arthur Kinnaird found time to pay him a visit the other day and was greatly refreshed in spirit. This Church and School-work is now esteemed and loved in the whole Santa Croce district. The gift of £ 40 a year to the schools by the Florentine Municipality, and the presence and presidency of the Lord Mayor at the recent examina¬ tion must have helped towards this result. Prato and Pie - trasanta Churches are visited by the Florence Evangelist. Livorno. — 136 children in the Bible Hay-schools. The Church progresses peacefully and the evangelization of the * City assumes wide proportions. One of the newspapers has — 10 — asked to print the Sermons of the Evangelist from week to week. The Church of Rosignano is regularly visited. The Church and School children as well, make collections for the work of Evangelization. A successful interference took place lately on behalf of a sister, who was being maltreated at the Hospital. The Church looks forward to entering soon on the vast premises lately secured for this Mission in such a central position and so populous a neighbourhood. Pistoia. — A large and systematic distribution of excellent evangelical tracts has lately been made here. Prayers are offered for a copious harvest of spiritual results. Poggio-Mirteto. — Regular monthly Collections are now made for evangelization. The priests work hard to keep the people from the Meetings, and disturb the servi¬ ces, and seek to prevent the night-school from being held. Weekly service is maintained at Oivita Castellcma. The schools at San Francesco are a great blessing to the countryside. Cerchiana and many other parts of the Sa¬ bine country are visited by the two Evangelists at Poggio Mirteto and San Francesco. Roma. — Not only the number but the earnest at¬ tention of the hearers gratifies the Evangelists Conti and Gavazzi. An Officer in the Army and two gentlemen of good social position, and two women have joined the Church in November. The Sunday-School has nine mo¬ nitors, each with a group of 11 or 12 children. Tracts are distributed, by means of these children, in many a Ro¬ man workman’s house. The day-schools are crowded by above 200 children. The baptism of a Jew, the son of a Rabbi, and now one of the students of Theology, takes place shortly, and has excited much attention in Rome. The theological students, 8 in number, have their an¬ nual examinations this month. In a short time all these earnest evangelistic operations will be housed in the splen¬ did building, recently acquired for the Free Italian Church, facing the Bridge of St-Angelo.