ution of
the Vaudois out of Piedmont (chap. xiv.), which lies beyond the scope of
this volume.

CHAPTER VI.

Although the story of the long-continued and heroically endured sufferings
of the Vaudois may have been the most prominent thought in the minds of
those who recall their history, yet it is at least to the Christian as
important to remember their works of faith and labours of love in the cause
of Christ. Indeed were it not for the latter we should never have known the
former. It would seem as if the missionary zeal of the Waldenses was one of
the chief causes (or at least occasions) of the persecutions which they
endured. Hence Bernard de Foucald (_Monastier History_), a writer of the
twelfth century, says, "These Waldenses, although condemned by Pope Lucius
II., continued to pour forth, with daring effrontery, far and wide all over
the world, the poison of their perfidy."

Indeed a church whose motto was a burning torch, and whose directory that
sacred word which counsels the followers of Christ to "let their light
shine before men," was not likely to be content with possessing the truth
merely for itself. So we learn that in the distribution of the funds
contributed by the church a portion was assigned to the purpose of
maintaining a body of pastors for the foreign work. These pastors being
trained and set apart by the barbes for the work of the ministry were named
by the synod for their special sphere of labour. The work of preparation
for the ministry involved the learning by heart of the first and fourth
gospels, the whole of the canonical epistles, and a large portion of the
Old Testament. The missionaries to foreign churches generally remained
abroad for two years. Although this work was one of danger, no reluctance
to undertake it was evinced. This shows the power of the gospel in their
hearts, as well as the deference shown by the younger pastors to their
seniors in the ministry of the Word and sacraments. As a rule it would seem
that the synod despatched their missionaries two and two. Thus, following
the example of the great Head of the Church, and providing for the
necessities of the times, one of the two was selected as more or less
acquainted with the character of the places and persons they were about to
visit.

The mode in which the Waldensian missionaries laboured illustrated at times
the wisdom of the serpent as well as the harmlessness of the dove; _e.g._,
th