CHAPTER XIV.
The Existing Church
The missionary Church—Present state of the Waldensian Church—Its missionary efforts.
HAVING brought down the history of the Waldensian Church to the most important epoch of religious toleration and civil emancipation, it remains to give some detailed account of her present position and future prospects, together with the effect this desirable consummation has had on both.
We have beheld the sorely straitened Church, like a tempest-tossed vessel struggling into port, her masts bent, her sails torn, whilst the little lamp dimly glimmering at her prow, her compass, and anchor, were the only possessions remaining to her crew from their long warfare with the winds and waves. Should we wonder, then, to find that they were at first somewhat cast down and dispirited; and
