resounding commercial success, many times reprinted. Gilly, Rector of North Fambridge in Essex, wrote the work essentially as a travelogue, into which historical narratives of different heroic episodes in the Waldensian experience were inserted at various points. The work was – and remains – extremely readable and accessible.
A fund already existed for the support of the Vaudois churches, supported by three trustees. However, on 26 May 1825 a committee was formed to gather together all the interested parties. The Committee met at the home of George Henry Rose( 1770 – 1855), a diplomat and networker, with the Bishop of London in the chair. Several of those who had published in support of the Waldensian church were included; Gilly became the honorary secretary, and I. S. Pons acted as an intermediary with the church in Piedmont. The records of the Committee are now conserved in Cambridge University Library.
Anglican support for the Waldenses was, to some extent, predicated on a mythical understanding of their history. Gilly and others believed that the Waldenses were the ancient, primitive, biblically oriented Christians of northern Italy, who had lasted through the centuries uncorrupted by the doctrines and practices of the papacy. The Reformation was not thought to have breached this tradition, and the introduction of‘ Calvinism’ after 1630 was seen as a distraction from their ancient calling. From 1827 their most indefatigable patron, Col. J. C. Beckwith( 1789 – 1862), raised funds to endow the communities with better schools, better accommodation for churches and ministers, and to enable Waldensian ministers to be formed in a seminary of their own, rather than in Switzerland.
With their civil emancipation within Piedmont-Savoy in 1848, the Waldenses could evangelise beyond their valleys. This impulse led to the completion of the tempio in Turin in 1853 and a wider campaign to grow the Church. Beckwith, ever the Anglican, sought in vain to persuade the Church to establish moderators for life( quasi-bishops) and to adopt a liturgy comparable to that used in England. The Waldenses, politely and gratefully, remained Reformed; but their relationship with the Church of England foreshadowed the ecumenical engagement which remains a fundamental commitment.
Euan Cameron
50 years of Waldensian – Methodist Integration
2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the Patto d’ Integrazione, the covenant that made Methodists and Waldensians in Italy part of one Ecclesial body, without ceasing to be Methodists or Waldensians. It was a unique and quite clever solution, being the contribution to the Ecumenical process from two small minority Churches. Since 1975 Methodists and Waldensians have one National Synod( namely, European Session of the Synod), one pastoral body, one board, one Theological Faculty. Specific identity is kept in individuals( one is either Methodist or Waldensian) and in local congregations.
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