selves under it by any of the comforts which providence has destined for that purpose; benumbed with cold, they fell an easy prey to the severity of the climate; and when the night had passed away, there were found in their cradles, or lying on the snow, fourscore of their infants deprived of life; many of the mothers, also, lying dead by their sides, and others just upon the point of expiring. This seems to have been the first general attack that was made by the Catholics on the Waldenses of Piedmont.

Sec. 48. About the year 1487, Innocent VIII. invested Albert, archdeacon of Cremona, with power to persecute the Waldenses in the south of France, and in the vallies of Piedmont. This persecution was marked with the most savage barbarity, and continued till the reformation by Luther began.

Sec. 48 In what year were the Waldenses, in the south of France, and in the vallies of Piedmont, visited by persecution? How long did it continue? Who was the author of it?

Albert was no sooner invested with his commission, than he proceeded to the south of France, where he directed the kings' lieutenant, in the province of Dauphiny, to march at the head of a body of troops, against the valley of Loyse.

The inhabitants, apprised of their approach, fled into their caves at the tops of the mountains, carrying with them their children, and whatever valuables they had, which they thought necessary for their support and nourishment. The lieutenant, finding the inhabitants all fled, and that not an individual appeared with whom he could converse, at length discovered their retreats, and causing quantities of wood to be placed at their entrances, ordered it to be set on fire. The consequence was, that four hundred children were suffocated in their cradles, or in the arms of their dead mothers; while multitudes, to avoid dying by suffocation, or being burnt to death, precipitated themselves headlong from their caverns, upon the rocks below, where they were dashed in pieces; or if any escaped death by the fall, they were immediately slaughtered by the brutal soldiery.

Having completed their work of extermination in the valley of Loyse, they next proceeded to that of Fraissiniere; but Albert's presence and that of the army being found necessary in another quarter, he appointed as his substitute in these vallies, a Franciscan monk, who, in the year 1489, commenced a work of persecution, which is said to have been extremely severe. Many were committed to prison, and others burnt, without even the liberty of making an appeal.

While these proceedings were going on in France, Albert had advanced in the year 1488, at the head of 18,000 soldiers, against the vallies of Piedmont, which for many years were the theatre of savage barbarity, and of intense suffering.

Sec. 49. Here we close this period, and in the next shall speak of the Reformation. From a view of the past and of the existing state of the ecclesiastical world, the necessity of a re

What valley in the south of France was the seat of this inhuman persecution? Relate some of the particulars? What valley was next visited? What is said of the persecution of the vallies of Piedmont ?

Sec. 49. To what period have we now arrived?

formation is apparent. For centuries had the world been enveloped in darkness, and the iron handed despotism of papal Rome sported with the lives and religious liberties of mankind. But for the Waldenses, who like stars shone amidst this dismal night, the kingdom of the Redeemer could scarcely be said to have existed on earth. But the era of reformation was now approaching. The world could sustain the load of guilt and enormity no longer. The powers of darkness had reached their Upon the regions of death, the morning of a day was dawning, which was to diffuse light and joy among many of the benighted nations of the world.

summit.

DISTINGUISHED CHARACTERS IN PERIOD VI.

1. Peter the Hermit, a Frenchman, who, by his preaching, first excited a passion in Europe for the Crusades.

2. Peter Waldo, a Frenchman of Lyons, who flourished about the year 1160, the second father of the Waldenses, Claude of Turin being the first.

3. Thomas Becket, archbishop of Canterbury, who flourished about the same time, distinguished for his pride and haughtiness, which led to an open quarrel with Henry II. king of England, to the great disturbance of the peace of that kingdom.

4. Dominic, a Spaniard, distinguished as the founder of the Inquisition.

On what account does a reformation appear to have been necessary?

5. Roger Bacon, a learned monk of the Franciscan order, in England, who flourished about the year 1240, distinguished for the discoveries which he made in the various departments of science, and for the lead which he took in the revival of letters.

6. Thomas Aquinas, a native of Italy, who died in 1274, greatly distinguished for his attachment to the philosophy of Aristotle, and for the authority which his opinions had in the Catholic Church.

7. Boniface VIII. a pope, whose pontificate, about the year 1300, marks the highest eminence to which the papal power ever attained,

8. John Wickliffe, an Englishman, called the reformer, on account of his preaching and writing against the abuses of popery, about the year 1380, and which prepared the way for the Reformation, under Luther.

9. Lord Cobham, otherwise called Sir John Oldcastle, a distinguished soldier, who, for his attachment to the doctrines of Wickliffe, suffered death in England, in the year 1417, during the reign of Henry V.

10. John Huss, rector of the university of Prague, in Bohemia, who for his attachment to the sentiments of Wickliffe, suffered death by order of the council of Constance, in 1415.

11. Jerome of Prague, the intimate friend and companion of Huss, who suffered death the year following, by the same authority, and : for a similar reason.

12. John Ziska, a native of Bohemia, distinguished as the successful leader of the Hussites, in their attempt to avenge the death. of Huss.

1. Peter the Hermit, Sec. 4, and onward. 2. Peter Waldo, Sec. 17, and onward.

3. Thomas Becket was born at London, in the year 1119. His progress in learning at the university, and afterwards in Italy, was so great, that in 1158, he was made Lord Chancellor, by Henry II. As a courtier, Becket assumed all the gaiety of the times; and on one occassion, in attending the king on a journey, maintained in his train 1200 horse, besides 700 knights and gentlemen.

At a later day, Henry conferred on him the archbishoprick, of Canterbury; in which office, such was his haughtiness, that he greatly offended his sovereign, and caused lasting commotions in the kingdom. Becket refused to suppress the disorders of the clergy, to the great disgrace of himself and injury to the Church. In consequence of the disagreement between the king and himself, Becket resigned his office as archbishop, and went to Italy, where the pope espoused his cause against Henry.

Subsequently a reconciliation took place; and the king, in proof of his sincerity, held the bridle of Becket's horse, while he mounted and dismounted twice. The conduct of Becket was not less odious, after his return to England, than before his departure. At length, Becket was murdered in 1171, by some courtiers of Henry, who dashed out the prelate's brains, before the altar of his cathedral.

Henry alarmed, not only exculpated himself before the pope, but did penance at the shrine of the murdered priest, passing the night on the cold pavement in penitence and prayer, and suffering himself to be scourged by the monks.

The violence of his death was the occasion of signal honour being paid to Becket. He not only became a saint, by the indulgence of the church; but so numerous were the miracles said to be wrought at his tomb, that two large volumes could scarce contain the mention of them.

4. Dominic, Sec. 24.

He was

5. Roger Bacon was born in the year 1214. educated at Oxford, and afterwards studied at Paris. The age in which he lived was a dark and gloomy one, and was poorly fitted to appreciate the discoveries he made in science and philosophy. His experiments and calculations were so much above the comprehension of the times, that he was accused of magic. His works were rejected from the library of the order of Franciscans to which he belonged, and he himself imprisoned.