Page:Zawis and Kunigunde (1895).djvu/114

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110
SLAVERY. DELIVERANCE. ORDINATION

spared for another communion with the faithful. In these sad hours much outward speech may be restrained. May the Master whom we serve imperfectly receive a large accession of devoted sons.” A kiss on each cheek mutually bestowed, with much respectful grace, a cheerful salutation of all around, wholly devoid of pride, proffered with a most affable smile and gesture of both hands, denoted the well understood intimation that the journey might be concluded. The entire population greeted the bishop, all maintaining a respectful distance, while smiles and happy obeisances indicated the supremacy of love, harmony and the sincere pursuit of those Christian graces, and attainments, prized by the various denominations then assembled in Gran. These persons consisted largely of Catharoi from Dalmatia, Bosnia, and the Adriatic provinces, of Euchitæ from Bulgaria, of the Lord’s Mercy assembly or Boghomili from Roumania, Bulgaria and Constantinople; of Waldenses from France, Italy and Austria, and a few of each of several other denominations from Lombardy, Vienna and especially Neustedt, and several churches in Hungary, Poland, Bohemia and Moravia.

The real purpose of Pietro’s visit to that region now became apparent. Being presented by Prokop, together with several other candidates, he attended the bishop in the evening, and as his answers, testimonials and especially his copy of the Catharic New Testament, the work of his own pen, declared acceptability, Pietro and the others gladly heard the