appreciate our principles; and they form their opinions more from what we do than what we say. We should, therefore, rather strive to live well than talk well. "Even a child is known by his doings." The religion of Christ teaches us to let our light shine before men; and it is highly important, that those who profess to love the Saviour should be careful to adorn, in all things, his doctrine. Intelligence. POPERY is showing itself now in its truest colours all over Europe, ambitiously striving for power wherever it can ally itself with governments, and persecuting with the greatest cruelty, even unto death, wherever it can venture to do so. The following accounts will give some idea of its working: THE PRIESTS IN BELGIUM. "The following letter, written by a clergyman in Belgium, relates an interesting fact, showing the progress and the power of the Gospel in that locality, and that there are converts of the nineteenth century, imitators of those of the first, who are able to say, with the apostle Peter, 'We ought to obey God rather than men :' lic-houses, and in all directions, on Sunday evenings, the songs of the drunkard, and the noise of music and dancing, may be heard. The priests have never publicly discountenanced these things; but as soon as they heard of our meetings they made a great outcry. The preaching of the word of God, the hymns, the pious accents of prayer, were denounced as a curse. 'The curse has entered this village,' said one of the priests, in his sermon; 'it will not be long before this place becomes the object of Divine vengeance.' The priests visited the people, using threats and bribes; but in vain. Filled with rage, they determined to put an end to them, whatever it might cost. Six or seven of the men who have received the Gospel are employed in a coal-pit, of which the managing director is a main prop of the tyranny and idolatrous superstitions of the Church of Rome. A report was soon spread amongst the workmen that the priest had written to the director requesting him to expel from the works all the Protestants. Some days after this, our friend, at whose house the meetings are held, was sent for by the director, who begged of him to forsake our assembly and give up the Gospel; and endeavoured to persuade him that Protestants are revolutionists and disturbers of the public peace, bad characters, and the dregs of the people. Our friend answered, 'Protestants are peaceable men, who pray for their king and country, and spend their Sabbaths in places of worship.' 'Had I been a bad character,' he added, 'a drunkard, or had my house been a resort for evil company, the priest would not have written to you about me.' He then gave two excellent tracts to the director, who promised to read them; and he also asked him to act towards him with justice and compassion. He has four children, and is the support of his aged father. A month passed, and the storm appeared to have blown over, when a man fell from the top to the bottom of the pit, and was dashed to pieces. At the funeral of this unfortunate man, the priest, contrary to his usual custom, addressed the assembled masters and workmen. 'The shaft,' said he, 'is cursed,' because it is filled with blasphemers-with Protestants. If means be not taken to expel them, other accidents may be expected.' I would here observe, that the character of the Protestants is so well known among the workmen that when a swearer is reformed, the remark is, that he is becoming Protestant. "At the beginning of last month, the director issued an order to all the Protestants to return to mass, and withdraw their children from the Scriptural schools, under pain of immediate dismissal from the works. All but one nobly refused to submit. Their conduct was beheld with admiration by all. When the overseers were putting their orders into execution, one of them said to one of our people, 'Are you coming with us to-morrow?' -'Where to?' was the reply.'To mass.' - 'No, never; I would sooner die.' - 'You are an honest man,' said the overseer, shaking hands with him; 'I respect you' When our friends were leaving the works, several workmen said to them, 'They are persecuting your brethren in France; your turn will soon come in Belgium; take care of yourselves.' "A few Sundays ago the priest placed himself in ambush near the house where I got to preach, that he might intimidate those who came to hear me. 'Where are you going?' said he, to two of our friends, though he well knew.'To hear the word of God preached,' was their answer. - Say rather the word of the devil,' he replied. "The time chosen for dismissing our brethren was well selected, as at this season work is scarce, on account of the canals being stopped. God, however, watched over them, and almost immediately they found work, contrary to their expectations. God be praised! by their courage and faithfulness they have given fresh proof that we do not labour in vain, and that the work of grace has taken root in many hearts. "We live, thank God, under a paternal and generous Government, ever ready to protect us; but the mass of the people is still very intolerant and fanatical. In many places converts to the faith of the Gospel are treated like Pariahs; their sufferings are incessant. "Yours, &c., "J. JACCARD, "Minister of the Gospel." PERSECUTIONS IN THE hamlet of San Vincenzo del Farsale is situated in the province of Chiavari, in the south-eastern part of Piedmont. In this hamlet live two honest farmers, of the name of Cereghini, whose household number in males and females, adults and children, thirty-nine souls. About two years ago, one of the brothers met with a Bible, which he took home, and read to his family, with none but the Spirit for his helper. But, thus divinely holpen, he was enabled to struggle against and overcome all the errors and delusions which had grown up with him from childhood, and to convince those who were dearest to him that the Church of Rome, both in her doctrines and practice, belies the truth as "it is written" in Holy Scripture, and therefore leaves no other alternative to such as would adapt their faith and life to God's own word, but to renounce all communion with her. The Cereghini, and all their household with them, were thus led to the confession of the truth as it is in the one Mediator, Jesus Christ, and from that time declined to attend the worship of the Romish Church, and, instead of it, held regular meetings under their own roofs, at which the Scriptures were read, hymns sung to the praise of God, and prayers offered up in the name of the Son of His love. The Cereghini had been told that the primitive Church of the Vaudois held "the faith once delivered to the saints" by the incarnate Saviour and his holy apostles; and they were consequently encouraged to seek communion with that church, and solicit that a teacher might be sent to them, capable of nurturing their souls more abundantly with the "Bread of Life." Several months elapsed-months of tribulation, arising out of the threats and open hostility of some of their neighbours-months of firm resistance to the artifices and snares held out to them by others particularly the priests; but the Cereghini were not to be moved from the Rock on which they now rested their salvation. The morning of the 13th of November at length came round. They were all in their beds, when two brigades of carabiniers, stoutly armed as if in pursuit of malefactors, appeared before their doors, and informed them that they had orders to arrest four among them, three men and one female. These were seized and conveyed to the prison at Chiavari, where they were committed to solitary confinement, orders being given that no one should be allowed to visit them, not even their nearest relations. This atrocious proceeding created a great sensation throughout the whole district, where the Cereghini were generally known and respected. Their families have been plunged by it into the deepest affliction; but they have been graciously supported under it, and had strength given them to adhere stedfastly to the faith of the Gospel, and to resolve to endure all things, even the loss of life itself, if the "reproach of Christ" should call for it. The facts which follow will exhibit the spirit by which the imprisoned for the Redeemer's sake are animated, and show how impotent is the violence of their wretched persecutors to shake them in the faith which He has sown in their hearts. Two of them, husband and wife, as soon as they heard the order given for their arrest, rose from their beds with as much calmness as if they had been about to begin the day's duties, and fell upon their knees to commune with their God in prayer, as was their daily wont, and then gave themselves quietly up to the servants of "the powers that be." Andrew, the other brother, and the father of five children, when informed of the cruel errand on which the brigades were come, made no reply; but amidst the sobs and tears of his wife and offspring, raising his hands and eyes to heaven, exclaimed, "I render thanks to Thee, O Lord, that Thou countest me worthy to endure persecution for thy blessed Gospel's sake. I never expected Thou wouldst put so great an honour upon me!" A subsequent communication from Turin states that some little the character of the inquiry set on foot by the Government authorities at Chiavari. The peasants of S. Vincenzo had been summoned before them to the number of forty, and among the questions put to them we find the following:-" Is it a fact that the Cereghini spoke against Purgatory, the Mass, and Auricular Confession?" "Did you hear them read the Gospel, or speak in the open air, or in houses, on religious matters ?” "Did you see them burn images?" &c. The investigation lasted three days, and a second inquiry was expected, previously to the trial of the prisoner. "Our dear brethren," says the writer, "are more firm than ever in the faith. I am thankful to make the same report of the whole of their households, without one exception." Private letters from Genoa state that a trial has taken place in that city similar to that of the Madiai in Tuscany. The name of the accused is Daniel Mazzinghi, twentyfive years of age, and a surgeon by profession. The trial took place with closed doors; but it is said that he was charged with having, in company with Captain Packenham, of the British navy, preached against the religion of the State and in praise of Protestantism. He was sentenced to imprisonment for three years, by virtue of the 164th Article of the Penal Code. relaxation has taken place in the THE MADIAI IN TUSCANY. treatment of the prisoners, their nearest relations being permitted to visit them. The originators of their sufferings may be traced by Letter from Florence. "Florence, Jan. 8th. "I have been waiting to write to you day after day in the hopes that I might be able to tell you | and great thick shoes. I am not that the Madiai were free. Alas! sure that I ever told you, when they are still in bonds, although describing her cell, that her seat a week ago we were told that was a round stool like a milkingthere was no doubt they would stool, chained to the wall in a soon be at liberty, for the Tuscan corner of the room; and in the ministers are anxious to get rid of opposite corner is a small footstool, them; but the Grand Duke, with also chained, so that poor Rosa, cruel obstinacy, would not allow when at her work on the stool of this, though he said he was pre- repentance, cannot make use of the pared to grant them a commuta- second small stool to keep her feet tion of their sentence, but would from the cold brick floor. She not state when. We saw Rosa on told us that when she was brought New Year's Day, and found her from Florence, instead of being in better health, and very cheer- conveyed at once to Lucca, they ful, excepting when she spoke of kept her a night and half-a-day in her own unworthiness in not the common prison at Pistoja, bearing better the trials she had which she said was a most filthy undergone, and rejoicing rather place, and the food they gave to that she was honoured to suffer her was too loathsome to eat. I for the cause of Christ. tell you all this, because I see some English papers speak of the kindness with which they are treated. The officials are as kind as they dare to be. "The inspector had allowed her to give a little treat on New Year's Day to all the female prisoners some 'pollenta' and a glass of wine to each; and this rare opportunity for the exercise of her generous and compassionate feelings caused her great pleasure. I will describe to you her frightful costume, in which, nevertheless, she looked well and dignified. Her chemise is of coarse material, like sailcloth; then she wears a knitted worsted garment, over which is a brown duffle robe, such as is worn by the Franciscans. Over all is worn the livery of the prison, i. e., a broad yellow and white striped coarse linen material, the skirt tight as a sack; and on her head she wears a close skullcap of the same, fastened by a tape under her chin, no hair being seen. She has coarse hose "About ten days ago M. Colombe, the Swiss Minister, Chaplain to the Prussian Legation, obtained leave, through the King of Prussia, to visit once the prisoners. When we saw him on his return, he was so much affected that he could not at first speak without great emotion. He said he had never met with any one so completely living above the world as this child of God, Francesco Madiai. He said to M. Colombe, that he felt he had done with earthly things, as he believed it was God's will that he should die for His cause, and he had therefore tried not to think of his dear wife and her sufferings, except when in prayer. He said, |