Probably this silent increase is the best means for the religious development of Tuscany. Religious, as well as popular liberty, consists of ideas which grow even whilst they are checked, and which can be checked only until they have grown strong. They know this, the thoughtful patriots of Tuscany, and they have a firm hope in a better day which is coming. But it is to be deplored that popular education is altogether in the hands of the priests, because they take good care to require only such an education as will nullify its otherwise supreme power; and the people, ignorant, and, therefore, unreflecting, console themselves too easily with festivals and fruits of the earth, for want of the nobler rights of humanity.
That which the true friends of their country here, as well as in Piedmont, and, it may indeed be said, as well as the cultivated Italian community at large,
in consequence, has been obliged to leave the city, with his family. The reading of the Holy Scriptures made him a protestant against the Roman Catholic Church, and he has united himself to the Italian Evangelical body, which is at this moment represented by De Santis, in Turin, and by Mazzarella, in Genoa. This Church, which as yet refrains from more closely laying down a formula of faith, and satisfies itself by studying the Bible, diffusing its sacred writings, preaching the Gospel, and following its commands, is, at the present time, the peculiarly proselyting church of Italy. You meet with its members and small communities, not alone in the cities of Piedmont, but also in Florence, Imola, Bologna, Ferrara, and likewise in Milan and Venice. The organization of the community resembles that of the Darbyites. Every male member has a right to preach, as well as to comment upon the Scriptures. They speak according to inspiration. A true Italian mode.—Author's Note.
