white caps and dark-coloured gowns; whilst the opposite benches were occupied by the men, all apparently listening with deep interest to the preacher, and joining in the prayers and psalmody with heart as well as voice.
No doubt, many hearts beat, as those more nearly connected with them appeared for the first time in this responsible situation; and there were yet deeper feelings excited as the Christian beheld, in these young and ardent men, missionaries who were destined to “sow the Italian field” with the precious grain of the Word of God, and to go forth again as their fathers of old, shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, and with offers of salvation to the descendants of their bitterest foes.
The imposition of hands took place fifteen days after the examination and initiatory sermons. The ceremony was simple. The moderator commenced it by a sermon on the duties of the candidates, who were ranged beneath him surrounded by the pastors. At the termination of his discourse, he descended from the pulpit and laid his hand on each of their heads as they knelt before him, the ministers extending theirs at the same time over them; and the ceremony was concluded by a general fraternal embrace.
We now return to the early missionaries of Pra del Tor, from whom, as we recall the scene we have described, we seem scarcely to have parted, so similar in spirit are some of the young and ardent men just consecrated to the work. Amongst the many important services of the Teaching Church were translations made by the barbes, copies of which were multiplied by their scholars and distributed amongst their flock. Nor was the circulation confined to their valleys; in their frequent missionary journeys they
