History/Testimonies Saints and Apostles A.D.1200-1700

 

The Martyrs of Val Louise.  (The Heroic men and women who were persecuted for the religion of Christ)  by James D. McCaabe, 1881.

       In the western slope of the Cottian Alps, within the limits of the old French Province of Dauphiny, is the picturesque defile known as Val Louise.   It descends from Mount Pelvoux, whose snow-capped summit attains an altitude of 13,468 feet above the sea, to the basin of the River Durance.  It is a bold and rugged ravine, abounding in awesome scenery.  The inhabitants are poor, simple in their mode of life, and earn their substance chiefly by tending flocks, and cultivating the limited area of ground accessible to them.  Cut off from the world by the lofty mountains, which surround them, they know, but little of what is passing in Europe, and take little interest in any of their own affairs.

       Within this mountain valley, the faith of the Vaudois Christians found a welcome very soon after its introduction into Piedmont.  The simple, but powerful truths of Christianity, appealed to these rude mountaineers with force, which can hardly be imagined by those of us who live at the present day.  There was little need for the strong arm of law here, for the mountains.  Christians yield an implicit obedience to those in authority over them.  To honor and obey their Prince was as much a religious duty with them, as to fear God.  Lawlessness and crime were unknown among them.  Within the Val Louise each man was honest, and on one dreamed of despoiling his neighbor of his goods.  Love and charity were the rule of all.

      So the little church of the Val Louise existed, simple and pure, a light in the midst of the darkness which overshadowed the world.  Its pastors kept it true to the faith of Christ; and Rome, which had begun to put forth her audacious claims, had too much to do to carry on her war upon the great of the earth to give heed to this little nook of Alps.

      

      The meetings of the Church were held from time to time in the open air, or in one of the huts of the village.  The worship was simple, and was similar to that of the Vaudois of Piedmont.  It went on without molestation until the 13th century, when Rome, having consolidated her power,

resolved to silence every voice, which did not join in her praise.  Between

A.D.1238 and A.D.1243, the agents of the Pope crossed the Alps and appeared in the Val Louise. They came, they said, for the purpose of

converting the mountaineers to the faith of Christ; but their demand was,

"Acknowledge the supremacy of the Pope; receive Mass."  The mountaineers heard the demand with amazement.  The Bishop of Rome, they declared, were a local prelate, and had No authority over them, as for the Mass and the other doctrines taught by the priests, they were idolatrous and repugnant to the Word of God.  In vain, the priests argued and persuaded the Vaudois Christians to meet them at all points with the uncompromising statement, "We reject these things because they are condemned by the Bible."  Argument being in vain, the priests called the power of the state.  The Bishop of Embrun, in whose diocese the Valley lay, was made chief prosecutor.  The Vaudois' were seized, Imprisoned, Tortured, Burned; but they kept their faith pure to the last and Died calling on the name of the Master in whose cause they suffered.  Soon after this persecution, one of the Vaudois brethren of the Valley of Lucerna, in Piedmont, Chabert by name, purchased from the Dauphin John II, a good HOUSE in the principal village of the Valley, and presented it to the people of that place, to be used by them as a church.  They held peaceable possession of it until the year 1348.

    One bright morning, a band of armed men were approaching from the direction of Embrun, and descending into the peaceful Valley.  The sight, so unusual and so starling, alarmed the inhabitants; the news spread rapidly, and soon a crowd had collected in the principle village to await the arrival of the troops, who came straight to the place. They halted in front of the church. They were accompanied by a number of priests, and the leader of the party informed the village folks that they had come, by order of the Archbishop of Emburn, to Destroy the Vaudois Church of the Val Louise, which church, he declared, was a shame and a disgrace to the land.  The villagers besought him to spare their church, assuring him that they were honest and harmless people, and had wronged no one.  His order was positive.  The Church was fired, and in a little while nothing remained of it but a heap of smoldering ashes.

     They were the cause of further affliction to the mountaineers. Twelve of those who had been most prominent in their efforts to save the church were seized by order of the priests, to be tried by the Archbishop for Heresy.

***** Arrived at that place, they were thrown into prison, and allowed to lie there for some days. They were then brought before the Archbishop, who questioned them concerning their faith. This they stated plainly and without equivocation.  They were then asked if they would acknowledge the supremacy of the Pope, and accept the Roman Catholic doctrines of the Mass, the Sacraments, the worship of the Virgin Mary and Saints, and Confession to priests.

***** The religion they professed had been transmitted to them unimpaired through a Succession of faithful ministers from the days of the Apostles.  They desired to live and to die in it.  As for the doctrines offered for their acceptance, there were errors, and they could not admit them without doing violence to their consciences, and sinning against God, whose written Word, the Holy Bible, gave no warrant for them.  In consequence of this refusal, they were subjected to cruel tortures.  But they remained firm, praying to God in their agony to keep them faithful unto death.  Unable to make them apostates of these Christians, the Archbishop condemned them to death as Heretics.

     The square in front of the Cathedral of Embrun was appointed for their execution.  A large pile of wood of reeds was erected in the center of the square, and on the appointed day, a vast of people assembled to witness the martyrdom. The martyrs were led from their prisons under a strong guard, and were attended by a number of monks, who mingled their exhortation with cruel reproaches and taunts.  Each of the Vaudois was dressed in a yellow robe, on which were painted red flames, symbolic of those of hell.   Upon reaching the scene of their suffering, they received the curse of Romish Church, which, the priests declared, cut them off from all hope of heaven.  Their heads were then shaved, their feet were made bare, and ropes were passed about their necks.  As the martyrs, they stood calm and cheerful, paying no heed to these sounds of hate and vengeance, but lifting their hearts in prayer, and asking for strength to suffer bravely for Christ's sake; and when they spoke to each other, they uttered only words of comfort and cheer.  When the dirge was finished, the priests again exhorted the Vaudois to accept the faith of Rome, and again did the latter refuse to purchase their lives at the sacrifice of the Truth. The executioners advanced.  One by one the victims were seized and strangled.   Their lifeless bodies were then thrown on the burning pile, and in a little while the twelve faithful witnesses for Christ were but a leap of ashes, which the monks scattered to the four winds of heaven.

When the news of the martyrdom reached the hamlets of Val Louise, there was sore weeping and sorrow among those to whom the martyrs were bound by ties of love and kindred; but the mourners did not sorrow as those Without Hope.   In the depth of their grief, they thanked God that their loved ones had Not betrayed His cause, and prayed that their example might be a lesson and a warning to the church to be Faithful unto Death, that having passed unscathed through the fire of persecution, it might receive, with its beloved martyrs, the Crown of life, which God has promised to those who suffer for His sake.

Testimonies: John Louis Paschal/Mark Uscegli A.D 1550-1560

Revelation 12: 1-17 There appeared a great wonder in heaven; a Woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars.   And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great Red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.  He stood before the Woman, which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child, as soon as it was born.  She brought forth a man-child, who was to rule the nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up to God and to His throne.  The woman FLED into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God.

   Satan, who deceived the whole world:  was cast out and his angels who accused the Brethren before our God day and night. They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of God of their Testimony; and they loved not their lives unto death. Woe! Unto inhibiters of the earth for the devil has come down unto you, and the Dragon he persecuted the woman, which brought forth the man-child. The Women were given two wings of a Great Eagle that she might fly into the wilderness into her place, where she is nourished, for a time, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.  The Dragon was wroth with the women, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which Keep the Commandments of God, and have the Testimony of Jesus Christ.

  Life/Testimonies of John Paschal/Mark Usecegli.

   This settlement was made in Calabria, about the year 1340.  The Vaudois settlement prospered their lands and soon became noted as the best cultivated and most productive in the kingdom. They paid their rents and taxes punctually, yielded a prompt and cheerful obedience to the laws, carried on their school, and by their intelligence and education attained a vast superiority over the ignorant natives by whom they were surrounded.  They increased rapidly in numbers, and within half a century after their arrival in Calabria had built the towns of Borgo D' Oltramontani, and several villages and hamlets.  The excellent manner in which they cultivated their lands gained them the favor of the nobles, whose revenues were greatly increased thereby.  Their example also began to be followed by the native Calabrians, and the agriculture of the province attained a degree of perfection unknown before their arrival.

    Towards the end of the 14th century, the Vaudois were joined by some of their brethren from the French Valleys, and even as late as the year 1500 they received additions from the Valleys of Piedmont.   In all Italy there could not be found a happier, more enlightened, or more prosperous community than the Vaudois settlement in Calabria.

Nor were the spiritual interests of these people neglected. The Piedmontese Barbas, appointed by the Vaudois Synod, regularly visited them.

These pastors came two and two---an old man and a young assistant.  They were Changed Every Two Years.  Setting out from the Piedmontese Valleys, they made a regular circuit of the Peninsula.  If going to Calabria, they passed to the right of the Apennienes, by way of Genoa and Naples.  They returned by the opposite side of the mountains through the cities of the west coast of the Adriatic, to Venice and Milan, and thence back to Piedmont.  The Calabrian Church anxiously looked for these visits, and they were the means of keeping it informed of the history of the brethren in other parts of Italy.

   The Romish clergy, from the first, regarded the Vaudois with Hostility.  They would have persecuted them without remorse had it not been to their interest to tolerate them.  The Calabrian Christians were Not so much addicted to the ceremonies of the Catholic Church; but that in the main they were remarkable for honesty, charitable towards the poor, punctual in paying their rent, and full of the fear of God.  Thus, they remained in liberty, prospering as the people of God, even in the land of bondage.  The Vaudois continued to prosper, but the enmity of the Romish clergy to them increased every year.  As the fanaticism of the priests grew, their self-interest had less weight with them, and their hostility at length culminated in open war against the Vaudois.

   In 1561, Rome turned a horde of savage monks and soldiers against the Vaudois, and massacred them in the cruelest manner. A few managed to escape to their brethren in Piedmont, but the Vaudois Church in Calabria was utterly exterminated. The circumstances of this massacre were so atrocious, that when the news reached the city of Rome, the people were exasperated by the recital that they burned the palace of the Pope to the ground.

   Previous to this, however, it was the fortune of the Calabrian Vaudois to give to the church one of its most imminent and revered Martyrs.  Hearing that the Vaudois of Piedmont had erected churches for public worship, the Calabrian brethren determined to do likewise, and to secure a pastor who should remain with them permanently.  The most sagacious of the community argued against this policy, declaring that it would, but increasing the hostility of the Romish clergy, and be simply a source of misfortune to them.  This advice was not taken; however, the Brethren sent one of their numbers to Geneva to secure a permanent Pastor for their Church.

The Messenger was Mark Uscegli.  He reached Geneva in safety, and laid the quest of the Calabrian Church before the Elders of that place.  After due consideration, the elder decided to grant the prayer of the Italians, and to send them a Permanent Pastor. They selected this position, which they knew would be one of great danger, a gifted and eloquent man, who had abandoned the profession, to become a Preacher of the Gospel.  He was John Louis Paschal, a native of Coni, in Piedmont

  Paschal was a young man, and had recently gone in the Ministry.  He was full of enthusiasm, and eager to do his Master's cause.  Two days before his nomination to the Calabrian Pastorate, he had been betrothed to Camila Guarina, a young woman of Piedmont, who, like himself, had fled to Geneva to be able to worship God in peace.  Upon being informed of his selection to the dangerous post, he hastened to her and asked her consent to leave her and go to Calabria.

Paschal then formally accepted the mission confided to him, and soon set out for Calabria, where he arrived in the spring of 1559.  The Calabrian brethren received their young pastor with great affection, and were well pleased to obtain a teacher who united so much zeal to such high intellectual gifts. They desired that he would follow the practice of the Church at Geneva, and preach the Gospel to them openly and in public, and his own zeal induced him to yield their wish.  His preaching was immediately acceptable to them.  They crowded around him enthusiastically, "with the joyous affection of brethren, like the bread broken by the Lord."

These public preaching's gave great offense to the priests, and they, at once, endeavored to excite the passions of the ignorant multitude by telling them that a Lutheran had come among them to destroy the country with his heretical doctrines. They demanded that Paschal and all his adherents should be put to death, and they succeeded to such an extent inflaming the people against the Vaudois that there was danger of bloodshed. Perceiving the danger, the Marquis Salvator Spinello, principle feudal lord of the Vaudois, who was at that time a deputation of their people to explain the matter to him?  The Vaudois, at once, entreated Paschal as their minister, to accompany their deputies, and to explain to the Marquis their reason for acting as they had done.   Paschal signified his willingness to do so, and in July 1559, set out with his Friends for Foscalda.

   Upon reaching that town, they went to an inn.  They were met there by one of the Marquis's own household, who was secretly a Friend of their doctrines.  Being informed of the danger, which threatened them, he wished to save them.  Addressing himself to Paschal, "Listen to me.  You have powerful enemies. The best defense is to keep out of their way.  I advise you, therefore, to go back without presenting yourselves."  "What! "  Exclaimed Paschal, "Shall I skulk away without defending myself, without contending for the TRUTH, without pleading for my beloved Church?"   "The only object of pleading is to gain a cause, in this instance it can only be gained by keeping silence."   "That would not only be feeble, but shameful, the Christian is not to measure his strength, but to do his duty.   Moreover, the help of God cannot fail us in this conflict; where is there more strength than in His Word?"  "It strength," said his friend sadly,  "Goes for nothing with those who DO NOT listen to it.  Take heed!   You will not be judged according to the Word of God, but according to that of men."  "Then defending the Word of God is better than that of triumphing over men," replied the undaunted pastor.  "You will defend it better by preaching it to your churches, which desire it, than by exposing it to the competent of those who wish to suppress it."  All warnings and arguments were Useless.

Paschal had determined that he would speak plainly to the Marquis, and he was so sure of the excellence of his cause, that he could not help believing that he would be sent back to his charge in peace, and he and his Companions being found guiltless of wrong.  Moreover, he thought it is not possible that, by a forcible statement of the truths of Christianity, he might open the eyes of the Marquis himself to knowledge of the Errors of Rome, and show him the Way of Eternal Life.  To accomplish this in his estimation worth any risk.

At the appointed time he and his Companions presented themselves before the Marquis.  He had expected to be confronted with the priests who had accused him, and to be allowed an opportunity to defend his faith.  He now perceived his error. The marquis was in full sympathy with the priests, and had summoned the Vaudois before him merely to draw Paschal into his POWER. Neither the marquis desired to argue with the Vaudois pastor, but merely to SILENCE him.  It was a cunningly laid plot, and it was thoroughly successful.  Paschal was rudely cut short in his remarks by the marquis, who ordered the Vaudois deputies to return to their homes.

Paschal and Mark Usegli were accepted from this order, and were made prisoners.  They were at once thrown into a dungeon, where they slept for eight months without being allowed to communicate with their FRIENDS.  They were confined in the same dungeon, however, and during this sad imprisonment; they comforted each other with Christian consolations.

From Foscalda they were removed to Cosenza, where they were imprisoned for more than a month.  Here Mark Usegi, or as Paschal affectionately calls him, "Little Mark," was put to torture to make him abandon his faith and embrace that of Rome.  He steadfastly refused, and from this time we hear no more of him.  The inference is that he died a victim of Romish cruelty.

    In April 1560, Paschal was sent from Cosenza to Naples, in company with 22 galley slaves.  He was heavily ironed, and his fetters were so painful to him that he could not rest.  Nine days were occupied in the voyage to Naples, and during this time he preached repeatedly to his fellow prisoners, exhorting them, and Proclaiming the fullness and the necessity of the Salvation is by Jesus Christ.

From Naples he was conveyed to Rome that he might be immediately dealt with by the Inquisition.  He entered the city by the Appian Way, passing in by the Gates of Ostium.  It was along this route that Paul the Apostle had passed under the escort of his Roman guards.  Along this route, hundreds of the martyrs of the Primitive Church had gone to their death and Immortality.  And now, 14th centuries later, another martyr passed through the famous gateway, and trod the hard streets of the Eternal City, following in the steps of those early witnesses for Christ.  He was conducted to the Tower of Nona and cast into a strong dungeon. No one was allowed to hold communication with him, except the Inquisitors, who continually urged him, without effect, to recant his faith.

His brother, Bartholomew Paschal was, at this time, living in Coni.   He was a Roman Catholic, but was devotedly attached to John Paschal, and he now determined to make an effort to see him, and try to save him.  He procured a letter of recommendation from the governor of Coni to the Count of Trinity, then residing in Rome.  Upon arriving in that city, he presented this letter, and through the influence of the count and obtained permission to visit his captive brother.  It was also hope by the Papal authorities that he would be able to induce John Paschal to recant.

   He was ushered into a damp and gloomy dungeon, which was so dark that he could scarcely distinguish the objects in it.  Yet, by the dismal light he could see his brother's arms were tied tightly with small cords, which cut and inflamed his flesh.  He was pale and emaciated, but calm and resolute.  The Inquisitor who accompanied Bartholomew pointed in silence to the captive, and the new comer, making himself known, bent to embrace the sufferer.   At the time he burst into tears at the sad sight. 

"My brother," said Paschal, cheerfully, "why do you distress yourself so much?  Know you not that a leaf cannot fall from a tree without the will of God?" "Hold your peace, you Heretic," cried the Inquisitor, roughly.  Controlling his emotion, Bartholomew said to him: "It is possible, my brother, that you are obstinate in disowning the Catholic faith, which everybody else holds?"  "I hold that of the Gospel," was the answer. "God will condemn all those who do not follow the doctrine of Luther and Calvin? " said the Inquisitor.  Then John replied, "It is not for me to determine, but I do know that He will condemn those Who, Knowing the TRUTH, Do not profess it." Said Paschal, quickly.  The Inquisitor paid no heed to this remark, but continued: "you would have done better to have remained still in your own house, enjoying your inheritance, and dwelling among your brethren, instead of rushing into Heresy, and losing it all that you had." "I have nothing to lose upon this earth that I must not lose sooner or later, and I acquire an inheritance in Heaven, which all the powers of the earth shall not be able to take from me." The Inquisitor then put an end to the interview, and Paschal was left alone in the darkness and misery of his dungeon.  There was not even straw to lie upon, and he was beginning to suffer his constancy.   In the darkness and silence of his prison he could commune with the Master whose faithfulness he was, and it pleased God to give him strength to endure it all.

The next day he was summoned before the members of the Holy Office, who for more than four hours urged him to abandoned the faith for which he was being punished, and to accept that of Rome in its place.  They advanced every argument they were possessed of, but they could obtain no concession.   Faint and worn with hunger and suffering, he met their every argument, and baffled every device to entrap him into surrender of his belief.  For three days this scene was repeated daily.  Then finding him inflexible, the Inquisitors allowed his brother to approach him once more.   Bartholomew earnestly entreated him to yield a little, and not to bring upon his family the disgrace of a condemnation.

"If I am ashamed of my Savior on the earth, He will deny me in heaven." said the heroic sufferer. "Ah, my dear brother, return to the bosom of your family, we would all be so happy to have you there," urged Bartholomew. "Would to God, that we were all met again, united in the Savior's love!   For my native skies would be pleasanter to me than the vault of this prison.   But if I remain here, it is because of Jesus abides with me, and my Savior is better to me than my family."

Jesus says, "He that is not ready to give up his father or his mother for my sake, is not worthy of me." Bartholomew then told him he would give him half of ALL his possessions if John would make his peace with the Pope and go back with him to Coni said John, "The world passeth away, with the lusts thereof, but the word of God endureth forever. God grant me such strength that I may never forsake Him."  

   

   Now the martyr was left alone to prepare for that death he knew could not be very far distant.    On Sunday, the 8th of September 1560, he was conducted under guard from his prison to the Convent Della Minerva.   There John was informed of his sentence, which was that he should be burnt at the stake the next day.  He was once more urged to recant, but he declared that he confirmed with the steadfast and joyful heart to all the answers he had previously given; and raising his eyes to heaven, he gave thanks to God that He had called him to the glory of martyrdom.   He was taken back to his prison where he passed the night in prayer.

   The next morning, September 9th, he was led to the great square of the Castle of St. Angelo a pile of inflammable wood had been prepared.   On one side of the square, on a platform raised above the ground, sat Pope Pius IV, and around him were grouped the Cardinals, Bishops and Priests of his church---all come to gloat over the agonies of the martyr.

Paschal had walked in silence from his prison; but now, seeing the great dignitaries and vast multitude that had granted to witness his death, he broke forth into a strain of great eloquence, "and began to proclaim the ineffable sweetness of the Gospel of Christ." The people listened in wonder and admiration.   The Pope became troubled, and the Priests began to murmur.   The only sound heard in the great square was the voice of the martyr, uttering in clear, firm tones, his dying testimony.   There were murmurs of sympathy in the crowd, and the Pope's brow darkened.   The Inquisitors, recovering from their surprise at the suddenness and force of Paschal's words, ordered him to be strangled, to silence his voice. The executioners seized him, tightened the fatal cord about his neck, and a few minutes later his lifeless body was flung upon the burning pile, which reduced it to ashes.   The ashes were carefully gathered up and thrown into the Tiber, which bore them slowly into the bosom of the ocean.

  Rome had silenced the voice of the young pastor, but the Pope could not destroy the story of his life, or the lesson of his martyrdom.   They were very precious to the Calabrians Church for which he died, and they comforted and consoled it in hours of bitter trial, and gave it courage to hold Fast to the TRUTH which he had sealed with His blood.

Testimony: Martin Gonin/John Girard in A.D. 1532-1536

[Rev. 11: 1-18] The court, which is without the temple, leaves out, and measures it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the Holy City shall be tread under foot forty and two months. And I will give power unto my Two Witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and three score days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. [Zechariah 4:11-14] What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof? These are the Two Anointed Ones that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.

[Rev. 11: 6-18]  These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of prophesy...And when they have finished their testimony, the BEAST that ascended out of the bottomless pit shall MAKE WAR against them, and shall overcome and kill them... And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, because these Two Prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth...Oh Lord God almighty and All nations were angry, and thy wrath has come, and the Time of the dead, that they should be Judged, and that thou shouldest give REWARD, unto thy Servants the Prophets, and to the Saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great.

Martin Gonin/John Girard: In the year 1532, the Synod of the Vaudois Church was held in the Valley of Angrogna.  At this meeting it was the Church that should send to Geneva, in Switzerland, a procure supply of printed Bibles to be distributed among the Vaudois of Piedmont, there being a great necessity for such publications.  The Priests and the Roman Catholic authorities maintained a strict watch over the frontiers for the purpose of Excluding the Bible and the religious publications of the Protestants from Italy, and it was a work of NO little difficulty to introduce such books into the dominions of Savoy.   The task of bringing them over the Alps was confided to discreet and daring men, not infrequently to Barbas, or Pastors themselves.  They brought them, packed in their luggage or in Bales or boxes of goods, and even with this precaution it was necessary to avoid common routes, and follow the remotest and most perilous mountain paths.

To be captured on such an expedition was Fatal to the Bible Vender, for death was the Penalty awarded by ROME to all who sought to give the Word of God to the common people.

***** Among those who had successfully crossed the mountains, and had distributed the Bible and the books of instruction sanctioned by the Church, the Pastor of Angrogna, Martin Gonin, a man of unflinching courage and great bodily endurance, he was also prudent and discreet.  He was well acquainted with the mountains, in which his whole life had been passed, and he was full of Zeal in the Great work undertaken by the Church.   After his return from the mission we have mentioned, he continued to reside in the Valley of Angrogna for a number of years, in the exercise of his Ministry. Towards the close of the year 1535, he in common with other pastors, felt the need of procuring a new supply of religious books, which could be obtained only at Geneva. To procure them it would be necessary to send one of their numbers to Geneva, and as the selection of the books would be a matter of considerable Importance, they should have to choose someone who experience and knowledge of the wants of the people should enable him to make proper selection. The undertaking was one of great danger, and it was admitted he who should attempt it would take his life in his own hand.   Martin Gonin at once volunteered to make the journey, and his offer was accepted.

He waited until near the close of February 1536 and then set out in the company with another Vaudois John Girard, who was going to Geneva for the purpose of founding a printing office, especially with a view to supply the wants of his own countrymen. They traveled by the usual roads, but they incurred no special danger, for the snows lay so heavy upon the Alps as to render them impassable.   Few travelers dared to venture along the dangerous roads, and in consequence of this, they were but imperfectly watched by the Piedmontese troops. Gonin and his Companion met with no adventures on their journey, and reached Geneva in safety. The Church at that place warmly received them, and the Pastor had no difficulty in making a selection of the books that were needed.  After this was done he set out on his return, leaving

Testimony of Bartholomew Hector - A.D. 1555

         (Rev. 13:1-8)  I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw the Beast rise up out of the sea, having 7 heads and 10 horns, and upon his horns 10 crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.  And the Beast, which I saw was like unto the Leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a Bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the Dragon gave him his power, and his Seat, and Great Authority... and it was given unto him to Make War with the Saints, and to Overcome them: and Power was given him over ALL Kindred's, and Tongues, and Nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose Names are Not Written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the Beast: for it is number of a man; and his number is 666.

In the month of July, 1555, there came into Piedmont from Geneva, named Bartholomew Hector, He was a native of Poiters, in France, and after his conversion to the Reformed Faith had settled with his family in Geneva, that he might enjoy his religion in peace and safety. In order to earn a living he had undertaken the sale and distribution of Bibles, and in the discharge of his duty, he passed from place to place, carrying with him the precious treasure of the Word of God. His journeys were attended with great danger, and he was often forced to resort to various disguises in order to pass unharmed through the midst of the dangers with which the Church of Rome encompassed the path of those who sought to diffuse knowledge of the Gospel. Yet he passed through them all in safety.

  Wherever he went, he found a ready sale for his Bibles, for the people were awakening to a sense of their dependence upon the Holy book. He was welcomed in the castle of the noble, and in the humble cottage of the peasant. The powerful lord and the simple herdsman sought his books, and read them with avidity. The joy with which all classes welcomed the Bible strengthens the humble vender to pursue his work with great energy. He soon ceased to look upon himself as a mere vender of books. He was a missionary, a veritable messenger of glad tidings, carrying the priceless truths of Christianity to people who were hungering and thirsting after the Truth. It was a noble work, and one worth all the danger, which attend it.  The money, which he was to receive for his Bible, influenced him but little; it was the knowledge that he was carrying the guide to eternal life to the people that sustained him in his weary mountain journeys. He was doing the work of God.

    In July 1555, he came into Piedmont, and devoted himself to circulating the Bible through the Vaudois Valleys. From the Alp he determined to proceed to that of Laouzoun, and thence to make his way into the Valley of St. Martin. It was a long and a dangerous journey. Not only was the road difficult, but also it lies through possessions of some of the bitterest enemies of the Vaudois and most zealous partisans of Rome. Yet, in spite of the danger, Hector determined to proceed, animated and strengthened by the thought of the good he would do, should he succeed in reaching his destination.

  On his way down into the Valley he was obliged to pass Rioclaret. The lords of seigneurs of this place were named Truchet. They were Roman Catholics, and enemies of the Vaudois. Suspecting the real character of Bartholomew Hector, they arrested him; but not wishing to deal with him themselves, they sent him to Pignerol. At this place he was cast into prison and a list of the books found with him was sent to the Senate Turin.

His only crime was selling the Bible to the people---a hideous offense in the eyes of Rome. For seven months he was suffered to lie forgotten in the dungeons of Pignerol. At last, on the 8th of March 1555, he was summoned before the judges of that place. "You have been caught selling heretical books," they said to him sternly. "If the Bible contains heresies in your estimation, in mine it contains the truth."  "But they make use of the Bible to keep the people from going to MASS, " said one of the judges.  "If the Bible keeps them from it. It is because God does not approve of it; for MASS is a piece of Idolatry." This was a bold declaration, and it aroused the anger of the judges, who denounced him as an infamous Heretic, and told him sharply that there was No Salvation out of Roman Church. Hector answered,"Out of Christ, I grant there is No Salvation, and by His Grace I will not forsake Him."

The judges were too angry to hear him further, and he was taken back to prison. He passed the night in Prayer and communion with God.   The next day the judges again called him before them. One of them said to him it was a shame for a man to deny the Truth as he had done, whereupon Hector said he would prove his doctrines were based upon the Bible, if permission were granted him.  "We will hold no discussion with error," was the reply.  "But judges are appointed to discern between Error and Truth. Permit me then to prove that I am in the Truth," said Hector.  "If you are not in the Catholic Church, you are not in the truth." said the president of the court.  "I am in the Church of Christ, and I prove it by the Gospel." Hector reply.  "Return to the Church of Rome if you would save your life," exclaimed one of the judges, interrupting him.   The vender of Bible answered simply: Jesus says:  "He who would save his life shall lose it, and he who shall lose his life for my sake, shall live forever."   The judge said, sharply: "Think of the abjuration which is require of you: it is the only means left you of saving yourself."  "What about saving of my body if I lose my soul?"   Hector answered.  Threats and arguments were in vain.  The vender of the Bible was a Christian man, and he preferred death to apostasy.

On the 27th of April, he was summoned before the Inquisitors. Here he was permitted to indulge in a more elaborate defense than had been allowed him before the civil tribunals. His words were so forcible and earnest, his manner so meek and respectful, that the Inquisitors were troubled. The Inquisitors told him that they only asked for a simple retraction of his religious opinions.  If he would make that, his life would be spared. "I have said the Truth.  How can I change my words and make a retraction? Can a man change the truth as he would change his garments?"   The Inquisitors were perplexed and they sent back to prison.  He was constant in prayer to God, and strengthen was given to him to be faithful unto Death.

Bartholomew Hector was taken before the judges on 19th of June, and sentenced to be burned Alive in the square of the Castle of Turin on a market day.  The martyr listened calmly to the reading of the sentence, and said meekly:  "Glory be to God, for that He has thought me worthy to die for His name."

   On the next market day, Hector was led from his prison to the great square which had witnessed the death of so Many of his brethren in the Faith.  The street was filled with a silent, sympathizing throng, for his story had gone aboard, and had elicited a degree of pity unusual under such circumstances. In spite of the barbarous threat of having his tongue cut out, Hector spoke constantly to the people during his whole walk from the prison to the stake, proclaiming to them the atoning merits of Christ, and urging them to repent and be saved through the blood of their Redeemer.

   Arriving at the stake there was a pause.  The pile had been erected in the center of the square, the spot consecrated by the blood of Many Vaudois martyrs. The priests of the Persecuting Church were there, wailing the Miserere, and from the dark tower of the castle. Far in the distance rose the snowy pinnacles of the Alps which shut in the Vaudois Valleys, where Christians men and women were mourning for their martyr brother, and praying that he might be strengthened to endure death for Christ's Sake. Approaching the stake the officer called Hector that he had come to save him. Hector turned to him in surprise, and the officer added that the judges were willing to give him yet one more opportunity to escape. He need only say:   "I disavow all Heresy," and his life and liberty would given him even then.

To this faithful Christian man this last offer was but old temptation under a new form.   It was in his eyes an absolute recantation of his Faith, an actual betrayed of   the Savior who had died for him. This was no time for unholy compromises. Instead of returning an answer to the messenger of the court, he fell on his knees on the pile on which He was to die, and clasping his hands and raising his eyes to heaven, he exclaimed in a loud voice: "O Lord! Give me Grace to preserve unto the end; pardon those whose sentence is now to separate my soul from my body; they are not Unjust, but Blind. O Lord! Enlighten by Thy Spirit this people who are around me, and bring them very soon to a knowledge of the TRUTH." At these words the people, who had waited in a painful suspense, to see how the martyr would receive the offer of pardon, burst into a loud sob, and there were some who cried out that it was a shame to put to death so good man who gave such evidence of being a Christian. The officers, fearful of the effect of this feeling, ordered the execution to put his victim to death without delay. The martyr was seized, thrown down upon the pile and strangled, and at the same moment the flames shot up enveloping the stake and the victim from the gaze of the multitude.  The soul of Hector had passed through eternity into New Jerusalem, to receive its reward from the hands of Him who has said: "To him that overcometh Will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and sit down with my Father in His throne."

Rome had killed the body, but the Gospel of Christ had saved the soul of Bartholomew Hector.

Testimony of Sebastian Bazan A.D. 1559-1622

[Rev. 17: 1-18] One of the seven angels came and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show you unto thee the judgment of the great Whore that sitteh upon many waters. (V-15) The waters, which thou sawest, where the whore sits, are people, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

   So, he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet-colored beast, full of names of Blasphemy, having 7 heads and 10 horns. The Woman (false bride) was arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold, and precious stones, full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication.   And upon her forehead was the name written: "Mystery Babylon The Great, The Mother of Harlot and Abomination of the Earth."   And I saw the Woman Drunken with the Blood of the Saints, and with the Blood of the Martyrs of Jesus.   And when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.

Here is the mind, which hath wisdom.   The 7 heads are 7 mountains, on which the Woman sitteth.

Rome literally was built on 7 mountains, and was known as the

"Seven Hilled City."   The Pope of Rome was the Heirs and Successors of the Caesars of Rome.   The Vatican is where the Palace of the Caesars was.

Sebastian Bazan:  During the occupation of Piedmont by the French, from 1536 to 1559, a number of the towns of that country had pastors of the Vaudois Faith.   Among these was the town of Pancarlier.   In this town dwelt a wealthy and noble family named Bazan, who were converts to the creed of the Vaudois.   When liberty of conscience was forbidden to the people, they left their native place and went to the Vaudois Valley of Lucerna, in the early part of the 17th century.   They fixed their residence at La Tour, where Sebastian Bazan, the eldest son, had already spent some years for the purpose of receiving religious instruction.   The Bazan family then consisted of Sebastian, his family, his two brothers and their families, and their aged mother.   Gilles, the Vaudois historians, who was an intimate friend of Sebastian Bazan, says:  "He was a very zealous defender of the Protestant religion, a man of sincerity, and an enemy of all vice, so that the enemies of virtue and of the Truth could not easily endure him; but for the rest, he was a man held in great and universal esteem, and of good reputation."

   The activity of Bazan in behalf of religion earned him the bitter enmity of the monks, who were resolved to take advantage of the first opportunity to make him suffer for his opposition to them. Matters of importance called him to the town of Carmagnola, on the 26th of April 1622.  He made no secret of his journey, though he was aware of the enmity of the monks, and appeared openly in the town.   Word was immediately conveyed to the monks of Carmagnole of his presence there, and they determined to seize him as a Heretic.

    They collected a strong body of armed men, and proceeding to the inn where Bazan was lodging, surrounding him in all sides.  His attempt at resistance was overcome, and he was seized, bound, and conveyed to the prison of the town.  He remained there a captive for several months, during which time his Friends excreted themselves energetically to obtain his release. He was permitted to communicate with his family, and did not lack for Christian comfort and counsel.   He wrote to his friend Gilles: "What favors God has granted me in your letters and your prayers; for every good thing comes to us from God, even the blessing of friendship, and it is He who endows his own with strength and hopefulness in their trials, such as our adversaries cannot credit, who accordingly seek to make us Yield by long imprisonments, and by perpetually urging us to abjure, but I am assured that the Lord will Never forsake me, and will sustain me to the end.  Be so good as to visit my family, and exhort My Wife to remain constant in the fear of God.  She has needed to be affectionately admonished, and gently remonstrated with, which you know better how to do than I to write about it. May the Lord work with His own hand to bring us to perfection, that resting on His holy promises, we may triumph gloriously with our captain, Jesus Christ, in His gloriously heavenly Kingdom?  From prison of Turin, 14th July 1622."

   This was the language and this the spirit of the man who had lain for three months in a Romish dungeon, and whose sagacity assured him that the probability was that he would only leave it to meet a martyr's death. He had some hope, however, at time this letter was written, his case would be submitted to Duke of Savoy, from whom he had reason to expect justice. To his disappointment, he was not brought before the Duke, but was ordered by the Senate of Turin to be turned over to Inquisition for examination and was according transferred to the dungeons of the Holy Office.  From this time the fate of Sebastian Bazan was sealed.

No captive ever emerged from the gloomy dungeons of the Inquisition to regain life and liberty except by the sacrifice of his conscience; and this price Bazan was not willing to pay.  Yet the Inquisitors received him with great apparent kindness, hoping by good treatment to win him over by abjuration. They argued with him, professed the utmost regard for his soul, but all in vain. The Prisoner was firm. He had embraced the faith of Jesus Christ, and he had no need of the Superstition of Rome.

When the Inquisitors found that their entreaties accomplished nothing, they had recourse to threats. The most terrible punishments were promised to him if he still persisted in his refusal to abjure, but all with the same result. He was then subjected to the cruelest tortures, and racked until it seemed that his body would be pulled to pieces, but he bore his sufferings with a firmness, which no human power could have given him.   The Inquisitors only desisted because they feared he would die under tortures, and they would thus be deprived of the pleasure of burning him.  They left him bruised and sore, with his joints-swollen and dislocated by the terrible strain, to which they had been subjected, to languish in his dungeon. They expected that he would yield at length to the sufferings of his body and to the horror and despair of his gloom prison, and consent to anything in order to save his life.

They knew little of the man they were dealing with.  His trust in God, and it was the Almighty arm which sustained him in his moments of greatest weakness, and which led him boldly along the rugged path of martyrdom.

Yet the friends of the captive had not yet abandoned the hope of saving him.   Urgent appeals were made in his behalf.   The gallant Marshal Lesdiguieres, of France, when he heard of he sufferings of Bazan, wrote to the Duke of Savoy, who was under obligations to him, asking the life and liberty of the brave sufferer.  Lesdiguieres wrote the second time to the duke, with whom other men of importance made intercession in behalf of the prisoner.  The duke, inclined to be merciful in this case, insisted that the Inquisition to comply with these humane appeals, and give its captive his freedom.  But the Inquisition was more Powerful than the Duke of Savoy within his own dominion.  The Inquisition met his demand with the reply the case was no longer in their hands.  They said, with affected humility and regret, that the matter had been submitted to the Pope for his decision, and that up to pleasure of the Pontiff was made known, they dared not set Sebastian Bazen free. They had fully decided upon his death, and the reference to Rome was a mere mockery---a trick meant to baffle the merciful effort of the Duke, who was obliged to submit.

For a year and a half Bazan was kept in prison.  His enemies were not able to triumph over him at any period of this long captivity, for he bore his sufferings with a calm resignation, which astonished them, and submitted to the severest tortures with the courage and firmness of a Christian hero.  At last, on the 22nd of November 1623, he was visited by the officers of the Holy Offices had been confirmed at Rome, and that he would be burned alive the next day. "I am contended to die, since it is will of God, and will be, I trust for His glory.  But as for men, they have pronounced an unjust sentence, and they will soon have to give an account of it."  Sebastian said calmly.

   The Inquisition laughed at his closing words then; but that night they recalled them with surprise and uneasiness, for the Chief Inquisitor, he who had been most active in the persecution, and who had pronounced the sentence of death upon Bazan, died suddenly that evening, in the very flush of strength and health.

The next day, November 23rd, the martyr was led to the great square of Turin, to die for his Faith.  Before leaving the prison he had been bound, and a gag had been forced into his mouth to prevent him from speaking to the people who had crowded the square to witness his death.   With the firm step the martyr ascended the pile, followed by the executioner, who proceeded to chain him to the stake.   At that moment, the gag fell from his mouth, and he exclaimed with a loud voice:  "People, it is not for a crime that I am brought hither to die; it is because I have chosen to conform myself to the word of God, and for maintaining His Truth in opposition to error."   A great sob broke from the multitude, giving evidence of their sympathy with him.   The Inquisitors perceiving this, made haste to silence the martyr's voice by ordering the executioner to light the pile.  The torch was applied, and the flames shot up around the victim of Rome, completely hiding him from view.

The people broke into uncontrollable weeping, and as the smoke cleared away every eye was strained to catch a glimpse of the martyr as he stood in the midst of the bright red flames, in red hands clasped, and his eyes fixed on the sky, beyond which he saw his eternal home.   Yes, the voice was silent on earth, but in heaven it was singing the song of the Redeemed.

Testimony: Joan Matthurin and her husband A.D. 1560

***** [Rev. 18- 4-6, 20, 24] And I heard another voice from heaven saying,

"Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and ye receive not of her plagues."   For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.   Reward her even as She rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works, in the cup which She hath filled filled to her double.

   Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and Ye Holy Apostles, and Prophets; and God has avenged you on her. For by her sorceries were All nations deceived and in her was found the Blood of Prophets, and of the Saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth. [Rev.19: 2, 20] For true and righteous are his judgments for He has Judge the great Whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and has avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. The Beast was taken and with him the false prophets that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceive them that had receive the mark of the beast, and them that worship his image.   These both were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.

[Rev. 20:4] And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given to them; and I Saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the Word of God, and which had Not worship the Beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they Live and Reigned with Christ 1000 yr.

Joan Mathurin and her husband:  The town of Carignan stands on the left bank of the River Po, south of Turin, and beyond the actual limits of the Vaudois Valleys.   For some time the Piedmontese authorities suffered these persons to remain unmolested; but at length the Romish priests, finding that the Vaudois were Assembling Secretly for Prayers, determined to exterminate them.   The persecution began in 1560.   Without giving them any warning, the priests caused them to be seized and imprisoned as contumacious Heretics.  They were not allowed any examination or opportunity of defending themselves. They were seized on suspicion, condemned on suspicion, and were burned within three days after their arrest. They could save their lives by one means only--denying their religion by going to Mass.

The first person thus seized in Carigan was a French refugee named Mathurin.   He had come from the Vaudois Valleys of France, and had married a woman of the Vaudois Valley of Piedmont. He was a plain and simple working man, who cared little for the great matters going on around him, and whose only desire was to earn a living for his family and to worship God in peace.

He was detected in the act of conducting family Prayer in his own House, and for this "terrible crime" was sentenced to be burned alive. The commissioners urged him to abjure his Religion and save his life; but he refused.  "We give you 3 days to reflect, but after that time you will be burned alive if you do not come to Mass."

    The family of Mathurin was plunged in great grief by his arrest and sentence. His wife Joan Mathurin, went at once to the commissioners, and asked to be allowed to see her husband.  They replied, "We will grant your request, provide that you do not harden him in errors."  "I promised, that I will not speak to him except for his good" she replied.

     The commissioners interpreting this promise as an intimation that she meant to persuade him to recant conduct the wife to the dungeon where her husband was confined.   Mathurin was overjoyed at seeing her again.  The commissioners remained to witness the interview, curious to see if a man and beautiful wife to whom he was bound by the deepest affection.   But they had entirely misunderstood the promise of the Vaudois wife.

She devotedly loved her husband, and the prospect of his death filled her heart with anguish.  She was a worthy daughter of the martyrs, however, and her greatest fear had been that her husband would prove Weak in the hour of trial, that the thought of leaving her would tempt him to forsake the path of duty; and she had come to urge him to be FIRM, to do his duty to His God and his Church, and if necessary to DIE with him.

   The commissioners were furious when they heard her words, and bitterly reproached her for having deceived them. She paid no heed to them, however, but holding her husband's hand in her own, she went on gently, but firmly:  "Let not the assaults of the wicked one make you Abandon the profession of your hope in Jesus Christ."  "Exhort him to obey us! Or you shall both be hanged," cried the commissioners.  Again unheeding them, she said to her husband.  "And let not the love of this world's possessions make you lose the inheritance of heaven."   "Heretical she devil, if you do not change your tone, you shall be burned alive tomorrow."   Turning full upon her persecutor, and looking him calmly in the face, the brave Christian woman and say: "I fear Him who is able to cast both body and soul into more terrible fire than that of your billets."   "Hell is for Heretics, save yourself by renouncing your errors. This will be the destruction of you both," exclaimed one of the commissioners.

The face of the Vaudois wife lighted up with a sudden and overwhelming joy, and turning to her husband, who had not released her hand, but had clung to her as if all his strength lay in her, she said to him tenderly:  "Blessed be God, because having united us in life, He will not separate us in death." One of the commissioners, a cruel and fanatical man, and here broke into a savage laugh, and exclaimed exultingly:  "Instead of one, we shall have two of them to burn."  "I will be thy companion to the end," said the heroic woman, quietly, speaking to her husband rather than to the commissioners. "Will you come to Mass and have your pardon?" asked the magistrates once more. "I would rather go to the pile, and have eternal life. The death of the body is but the life of the soul," that was her response.  One of the most violent of the magistrates, he who had exulted over of burning two, instead of one now exclaimed brutally"  "Have you nothing else to say to us, you dammed obstinate wretch?"  "Nothing, except that I beseech you NOT to putt off my execution for 3 days but to let me die with my husband." she answered, meekly.  The magistrates consulted together for a few moments, and then one of them said to her: "Be it so. You will both be burned at the same time tomorrow." With this they departed.   The heavy door of the dungeon clanged behind them, and the husband and wife were left alone---yet not alone, for God was with them to cheer and comfort them.

Mathurin had from the first made up his mind to Die rather than abjure, and the heroism of his noble wife confirmed him in this resolution.   He did not oppose her determination to die with him.   It was better to enter upon their rest together than for one to live on exposed to the bitter malice of a persecuting Church.   And above all, it was very sweet to pass their last hours on earth together, and to be able to cheer and encourage each other, as they should go down hand in hand into the valley of the shadow of death.   They spent their last night in prayer, and in tender communion with each other.  The brave wife had her reward on earth, for she saw her husband grow strong and cheerful, and even rejoice with her at the fate, which was to unite them for all eternity.   Her presence made the gloomy cell seem full of light to him, and her beloved face shone upon him through the darkness as the face of an angel.  Never had either been so dear to the other; never had their love been so full, so pure, and so free from earthly taint as on this eve of martyrdom.

The next day, being the 2nd of March 1560, a stake was set up in the public square of Carignan, and around it was heaped a pile of soldiers ready for lighting.   A crowd of town people had gathered around the pile, and prominent among them were priests and monks of the Church, which had brought about this terrible deed.

    They spoke to each other only to exhort to still greater firmness, and they did not quail when the executioner came to lead them to the stake. Hand in hand they mounted the pile, and submitted to be chained to the fatal post.   Then the executioner fired the pile. The flames flared up wildly, hiding the martyrs from view.   Through the mingled glared of the flames and gloom of the smoke could be heard the calm, patient voice of Joan Mathurin bidding her husband to be of good cheer, for the gates of Heaven were opening on her sight.   Then there was silence, broken only by the roar of the flames. Neither a cry nor a groan of pain had escaped them. Locked in each other's arms they had yielded to the devouring element.   When the moon arose, only the heap of smoldering embers and a mass of blackened bones remained to show the spot from which the Vaudois wife and her husband had passed hand in hand into the kingdom of God.