more of a private nature, being held in the house of a minister. The Lord's Supper is administered four times in the year, viz., on the three chief festivals of the Christian church, and in October at the end of harvest. A socalled "examination" takes place for the preparation of the Lord's Supper on the Sunday afternoon, previous to its being celebrated, in which the minister puts questions to the grownup youth on the chief doctrines of Christianity, and particularly on the Lord's Supper. Private baptism takes place only when the infants are sickly, and the Lord's Supper is administered to the sick in their own houses. There is a consistory of from three to six members in every commune, which is presided over by the minister. It meets regularly before the celebration of the Lord's Supper, and inquires into the moral and religious state of the parish. It cites before them those who live in enmity with one another, or lead an immoral life, and admonishes the impenitent and those who will not be reconciled, and excludes such from partaking of the Lord's Supper. Every parishioner has also the right to cite before the consistory, and may be cited for refusing to return a salutation, resentful behaviour, insults, family disputes, immorality, &c. The church discipline is not owing to any laws existing on the point, but to its continued observance since the Reformation, and its necessity as a protection against the inroads of Popery. A sermon is generally held on the occasion of a funeral. The ministers are much respected by the people, and are usually styledSchur Reverendo.'

* * * * *

"The income of the minister of Casaccia is £24; of Vicosoprano, £30; of Stampa, £34; of Bondo, £34; and of Castasegna, £27. Bondo and Soglio possess church property, and in the other parishes the ministers are paid by a rate, the poor paying as much as the rich. The ministers often receive presents of meat, butter, fruit, &c. Casaccia and Castasegna are the worst off, chiefly on account of the small number of the inhabitants; but the ministers of the other parishes, except Vicosoprano and the two just named, are able, by strict frugality, JANUARY-1847.

to make ends meet, provided they have no large families; but they are unable to purchase books, and therefore a library for their common use, which would also be of benefit to the schoolmasters, who as well as the ministers understand German, is much to be desired.

66

"The church and state live in harmony, neither of them encroaching on the prerogatives of the other,' as a minister writes me, and the connexion between them is very slight. At the commencement of the year, a sworn officer of the government reads in every church a proclamation admonishing the ministers to live and preach according to the word of God and the Helvetian Confession, and counselling the people to attend regularly divine service, to keep the Sabbath holy, to lead a moral and religious life, &c.

"The schools in Bregaglia are closely connected with the church, and superintended by the ministers who give the religious instruction. The scholars frequent the schools up to the time of their confirmation. Of late years an improvement has taken place in the schools; but still much remains to be done, as many of the children are only able to read with difficulty, and cannot write. A better payment of the schoolmasters, who are very badly off, is much to be desired; without this no proper persons are to be obtained, as, with the exception of only two schools-viz., those of Soglio and Castasegnathere are no good schoolmasters; the others being German Swiss, who have only an imperfect knowledge of the Italian language. The poor parish of Casaccia has no school-house, as well as no house for a minister. The number of scholars at the close of the last year in the six schools of Bregaglia was 253. There is a very great want of proper school books.

"Of old customs still existing, I have been informed only of the ringing of the church bells on the last night of the year, which is called

burying the old year," and that the youth go on the night of New Year's day about the villages singing spiritual songs.

"The chief employment of the

C

people is agriculture and cattle breeding. Manufactories are unknown. Many emigrate, and remain for several years away, chiefly in Italy, Germany, France, and Poland, where they usually follow the business of confectioners."

"The number of the citizens of the valley who are Romanists, does not exceed twelve, who renounced Protestantism while resident in foreign parts, and of whom few reside in the valley. * Some time since, the ruins of the most picturesque church I ever beheld, was purchased by a person of the valley, and there is good reason to believe, at the instigation of a citizen of Bregaglia, who enjoys a high office at one of the Italian courts, and is one of the few Romanists of this part. The ruins are no more to be seen, but in their place a fine church is now erected, and which is finished with the exception of some interior fittings. It is situated in the midst of the valley, at a part where it is so narrow that a subterraneous passage has been cut through, and above is the church, which can be seen from one end of Bregaglia to the other. Prior to the Reformation, it was a noted place of pilgrimage, and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. A few days before my visit to this part, twelve priests came over the frontier from Italy to view it, and during the previous six months, scarcely a day passed in which several persons did not come from Lombardy to admire a building of which the like is not to be seen in this part, and on which no expense has been spared. This church has been built under the pretence of its serving as a family burial-place, but as it will soon be completely finished, the real object will, before long, be manifest. The inhabitants of the valley watch with the greatest attention all the proceedings taken respecting it, and are determined to resist the encroachments of Popery, against which they will no doubt have, before long, to contend.

"If the question asked be whether the moral state of the people of Bregaglia is in relative proportion to their attachment to Protestantism, the question must be answered in the affirma

tive, for although many men who have been in foreign parts bring back into their paternal villages not only gold and silver, but open infidelity, indifference to spiritual things, and frivolity of behaviour, yet this leaven has not been able, in any great degree, to change the manners and views of the inhabitants. The public opinion of the valley is a healthy one, and whoever is guilty of an immoral action is sure to meet condemnation. The people are very industrious, frugal, cleanly, and generous in their actions. The rich as well as the poor are not ashamed to labour, and females who have been in foreign parts, on their return to their native valley, put the basket on their back again, and work in the fields. There are no beggars, and such as are poor and require assistance, receive friendly aid in a pri

vate manner.

"A still more important question is the state of vital religion in this part. I deeply regret to say that I can give no very encouraging account of it, and that the opposition of the people in this part to Popery has, till now, been more from the remembrance of what their ancestors have suffered, than from regarding it as opposed to the word of God. I could say that I believe there is as much here as in most parts of Switzerland and Germany; but this would not be satisfactory for persons acquainted with the religious state of these countries. That there are some excellent persons in this part I do not doubt, as I stopped two nights at the house of such a one, an elderly lady, the descendant of Hercules of Soglio. She is a decidedly evangelical person, and the interest she takes, as far as her means allow her, in the welfare of the people is such, that she is called, the mother of the valley.' One decidedly good feature is, that a minister who would preach Rationalism, would not be tolerated for any length of time, and that such are called carbonari,' or 'francomuratore' (freemasons), whereas, on the contrary, evangelical preachers are esteemed; but there is at the same time too much cold orthodoxy prevalent.

"There is great want of ministers in the Italian communes, and it is to

be feared it will increase. There are at present in Bregaglia only four ministers for the six parishes, and that these are not sufficient will plainly appear when I state, that the pastor of Castasegna is able to remain only one Sunday in the month in his commune. On another, he goes to preach and catechise at Casaccia, and after having travelled there and back, a distance of about twenty miles, he has again a service in his parish. On the two other Sundays he preaches at Stampa, and has a distance of twelve miles to travel. He is, I am sorry to say, about leaving this part, on account of family circumstances, the small income he has not being sufficient to support them, as well as from the fatigue he has to undergo in his duties being too much for him to endure. This is the more to be regretted, as he is perhaps the most decidedly evangelical minister of the valley, and certainly the most active. Moreover this commune is the most important of all, not merely because it is situated the nearest to the frontier of Italy, having its church not a stone's throw from it, but as it is only two leagues distant from the large Italian town of Chiavenna, where a number of Protestants live who are chiefly employed in a large cotton manufactory, and for the most part Swiss and German, some few of whom come occasionally to divine service at Castasegna. The minister of Soglio will probably leave this part before long, not being able to endure the fatigues he has to undergo; for he is obliged to live at a considerable distance, as this village is situated on a high mountain, which is giving way, and has at present openings in various parts of ten feet wide, and of unseen depth. This has been the state of Soglio for the last two years, and a dreadful calamity must be expected before long, which will not only fall on this village, but on the whole valley, as it is by far the most wealthy. Bondo is supplied with a minister, but Stampo has none. The pastor of Vicosoprano suffers from a complaint of the heart, and is often indisposed, but he is as active as his health will allow him. He has a large family, and is therefore obliged to be the

bookbinder of the valley. Casaccia, the poorest commune, has no minister. Thus, of the four ministers, one is about leaving, another will very likely leave, a third is sickly, and the fourth unable to perform his duties. The valley of Poschiavo stands also in want in this respect, but not to such an extent."

*

"A young man stationed in this part, without any pastoral charge, would have many opportunities of usefulness in circulating the word of God, religious publications, conversing with persons, &c. &c.; as he could visit from here Poschiavo, Upper Engadin, where many understand Italian, and the Roman Catholic Italian parts of Switzerland; and as the Grisons is the chief thoroughfare for Italians from and to Italy, he would find much more than he could do. Two would be better than one, for counsel and advice in this somewhat difficult situation, where con siderable prudence would be necessary, particularly as it would be well to attempt visiting parts of the frontiers where it is unsafe for a person to travel alone. I have already remarked on the want of good schoolmasters, and it would be well if something could be done to give assistance in this respect, and as there are several months in the year in which no school can be held, such persons could then be employed as colpor

teurs."

Such is the present condition of the valley of Bregaglia. And who can contemplate the former sufferings and the long maintenance of the blessed Gospel on the part of the inhabitants without a longing desire to stretch out a helping hand to them? The great thing wanted is faithful and zealous missionaries who, understanding their language, will go and labour in this beautiful valley. "Why," says Dr. Marriott, "should not young men in Great Britain or Ireland, who desire to serve God in foreign parts, in preaching the Gospel, not decide on fixing on this valley as the sphere of their labours? I know of no reason that should prevent them, and which could not be removed. All the ministers of Bregaglia and Poschiavo, ex

cept one, are German Swiss, and have been obliged to learn Italian, which is not difficult of acquirement to one acquainted with Latin." And again, says the Hon. B. Noel, in the prefaces to Dr. M.'s narrative, "A single zealous minister, a young Englishman devoted to Christ, who would adopt that people as his people, and make those charming chesnut groves beneath the Alps his home, those interesting Protestants his flock, would find there, when he had made the Italian language like his mother tongue, a field for missionary exertion of no ordinary promise. May this tract evoke the zeal of some Christian men to send such a missionary, and animate some faithful and devoted man to undertake the mission."

But this scene of labour is worthy of our succour, not only for its own sake, but as presenting the best possible access to Italy. Already the Italian Testaments and tracts, which are given in London to the poor music lads and others, have gained their attention, and cannot be parted with on their return to their own homes. Interesting facts have recently come to light with reference to the effects thus produced in the interior of Italy. At such a distance, however, comparatively little can be done. But here we have the command of the very threshold of Italy. In proportion

as we fill this little valley, lying at its very entrance, forming the highway to it, and speaking its language, with Bibles and tracts, and Gospel light and knowledge, we make it impossible that truth should not largely step over the boundary, and operate to an extent beyond what it is easy to imagine.

We say nothing at present of the importance of such measures in connexion with the other Italian speaking Swiss Cantons. We may probably refer to them hereafter. In the meanwhile, let us strongly commend these interesting and deserving people to British philanthropy. We must not let the stipends of these poor ministers remain at £24, and £30, and £27 a-year. Money, too, is needed to send Bibles and tracts, and colporteurs, and schoolmasters, and missionaries. We cannot conceive a more interesting and promising field of labour; and is there no devoted and zealous young man who has obtained a sufficient acquaintance with the Italian language, who will step forward to spend and be spent in its service? Oh then, blessed Lord of the harvest, be pleased to send forth more labourers into thy harvest! Amen.

We have only to add, that we shall be truly thankful to receive any contributions for the Italian Swiss Protestants of the Grisons, or they may be sent to Messrs. Nisbet, Berners Street, Oxford Street, London,

THE REV. Wm. Romaine, author of "The Life and Triumphs of Faith," is the author of this precious epistle. It is said that when Mr. Romaine first began this prayer, the names he was able to include in it did not exceed eight, in the whole kingdom; but, before his death, they had become so numerous, that he was obliged to divide his prayers, and offer them up on two days, instead of one.

"My dear brother in our precious Jesus-In the year 1756, a weekly hour

of prayer was agreed upon by several religious clergy and laity, in order to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, till he should be pleased to put a stop to the calamities of that time. He did hear us, glory be to a prayer-hearing God, and he turned our supplications into praises. About that period it began to be laid very near my heart to pray earnestly and often for the prosperity of our Zion, for which I never fail to make intercession in all my addresses to the

Your

throne of grace. But once a week, on Friday, I have what I call the clergy's litany. In which, after general petitions for the out-pouring of the Spirit upon all the ministers of our church, I make mention by name of those of my fellow-labourers whom God has highly honoured in making them faithful and useful in the ministry. As I go over their names, recommending them to the care, and their people to the blessing of our glorious Head, it is my custom to ask particularly for them, such things as I know or hear they want. name has been long in my list, and you owe me many, many prayers, a lawful debt, which now upon demand, I hope you will repay me. I ask it in justice due to myself. I entreat it for the glory of our common Lord, and for the advancement of his own cause and kingdom, and for your own soul's prosperity. O that I may write something to stir you up to pray, till you as far outstrip me herein, as to make it a point of gratitude for me to pray more and more fervently for you. I will mention some of the motives which moved me to this practice, and some of the advantages which I have found in it, and I beg of the Lord to make them the means of inducing you to join with me in this delightful exercise of brotherly love.

"1. One of the first things which put me upon it, was the frequent use of the hour of prayer, mentioned above. We are called upon in Scripture to make supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks for all men; and we are very often exhorted to pray for the household of faith, and more particularly for the ministers of it. To us, as ministers, agreed together in this land to worship the same Lord in the same outward establishment, to which you and I are very closely connected, both in profession and principle, the command should be of great force-'Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.' This peace depends upon the Lord's sending and blessing his ambassadors of peace. They are his ministers attending continually for this very thing. He raises them up, he fits them for the advancement of it; he prospers them for the sake of the prosperity of his

church; as he says, 'I will clothe the priests in Zion with salvation, and then her saints shall shout aloud for joy. For this reason we find St. Paul in all his epistles desiring to be prayed for: 'Pray for us,' for grace, for gifts, for success. He puts the churches upon asking what their ministers wanted. Although God has promised it, yet he will be entreated for it. The prayer of faith never returns without a blessing, which I have remarked again and again to the praise of Him who says, ‘Ask, and ye shall have;' and this has been

"2. A second argument very powerful with me. The command given to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, has a promise-They shall prosper that love thee." This has been fulfilled. I have seen manifest sensible answers to this prayer; clear displays of the faithfulness of the promisemaker. He has vouchsafed to give the desired mercy, not for the merit of our prayers, but for the sake of His own great name. He put it into our hearts to see what his church wanted, to ask the supply of Him, and now, having received it, to ascribe all the glory to his grace-Worthy is the Lamb.' His kindness hitherto is a mighty encouragement to go on, and is

He

"3. A motive for me to persevere, and for others to join with me. says, when the work is great, and the ministers but few, 'Pray ye the Lord of the harvest that he would send forth labourers into his harvest-field.' This was our warrant to ask, and asking in faith according to his will, we had confidence in him that he would hear and answer; and he has been as good as his word; we have tried it, and found that it cannot be broken. For these last eleven years we have been praying for more labourers, and every year he hath sent forth some more. O that he may give the word that greater still may be the company of the preachers. Have we not all the reason in the world to expect it? The promise stands sure-his hand is not shortened-his love is not abated

prayer has not lost its efficacy with him, to engage his love and power to fulfil the promise. Doubtless more,