and profession for that of the gospel of Christ. Nor was it
without cost of another kind he undertook the perilous work of the ministry
in Calabria. He was engaged in marriage to Camilla Guerina, and in setting
out for Italy (though unconsciously to themselves, perhaps) they parted for
ever as regards this world.

His ministry was greatly blessed in Calabria. The light so often placed
under a bushel was elevated conspicuously by the candlestick of his
labours. But while believers rejoiced, superstitious bigots raved. The
Marquis Spinello, chief proprietor in the Vaudois colony, alarmed for his
credit with the clergy, and contrary to his former kindness, sends for the
principal offenders, including the pastor and his friend, Marco Uscegli.
The two latter were cast into prison, and the former dismissed with
threatenings. This happened about 1558 or 1559, and was followed by more
determined measures of the bishop of the diocese and the pope. The latter
deputed Cardinal Alexandrin, inquisitor general, to extirpate heresy in the
kingdom of Naples. All attempts failing to induce attendance at mass, they
were pursued by soldiers, and obliged to make an armed resistance, which
led to the flight of their assailants. After a few days the Vaudois, who
had fled to the woods, were hunted by dogs. Nearly all were captured or
killed on the spot. Those captured were tortured in the most horrible way
to extort confessions of misdeeds which their enemies had fabricated. One
Bernard Conte, who had thrown away a crucifix forced into his hands, was
daubed with pitch, and then set on fire. Their sufferings are too many and
revolting to recount. Let it suffice to add that the bodies of the victims
were so numerous as to line the roads for a distance of thirty-six miles,
being placed on stakes for that purpose from Montalto to Chateau-Vilar. The
pastor, Etienne Negrin, was either tortured or starved to death. But Pascal
was reserved for a more public immolation. On the 9th of September, 1560,
an immense crowd assembled in the courtyard of the castle of St. Angelo. A
scaffold had been erected close by with a pile of faggots. A stage with
seats furnished suitably for the use of the pope, Pius IV., his cardinals,
and ecclesiastics of all ranks, was placed near. When the martyr reached
the scaffold he declared to the people that he was put to death for no
crime but that of confessing with boldness his Master and Saviour Jesus
Christ. "As to those w