rrence of circumstances as completely
vindicates her from any wilful departure from the traditions of her earlier
history.

It was at this time also, and from the circumstance that the pastors
supplied from Geneva could only officiate in the French tongue, that the
French language was used in worship.

This brings me to notice the organization of the Waldensian Church as it
now exists, and has existed for the last two hundred years. The full and
formal confession of faith is that which was agreed upon by the synod of
1655, and confirmed in the years 1839 and 1855.

The Evangelical Waldensian Church, in its widest sense, embraces all those
churches whom God in His mercy has condescended to preserve from time
immemorial, and subject to numberless persecutions in the valleys of the
Italian Alps. It also includes those churches which have been more recently
added. As regards organization, the Waldensian is subdivided into parishes,
and is governed by means of a general assembly of the parish, a consistory,
synod, and table.

The general assembly of the parish is composed of all the members of the
church, being men who are twenty-five years of age. To this assembly
belongs (_a_) the nomination of the pastors; (_b_) the deputies to synod;
(_c_) the elders and deacons; (_d_) the initiative of any proposal for
altering the constitution of the church.

It is always presided over by the pastor, or, in his unavoidable absence,
by a member of the consistory chosen for the purpose.

The Consistory is composed of the pastor, who presides, the elders, and the
deacons, the last of whom have only a deliberative vote. Its functions are
to provide for the spiritual wants of the parish, and also the poor and
sick; to assist in the distribution of the elements at the administration
of the Holy Communion; to nominate the teachers and superintend the
schools, either wholly or in association with the communal council; also to
administer church discipline; distribute parochial charities and funds for
religious purposes. On this behalf each consistory appoints its own
treasurer.

The Synod is the representative assembly of the Vaudois Church, and
consists of all recognized pastors and certain laymen chosen by the
parishes. It takes cognizance of every matter affecting the welfare and
duties of the church; it alters, adds, or abolishes all rules and
regulations connected with its administration or discipline; it directs the
course of theo