ITALIAN REFORMERS. 257 



1 p.m. the Rev. Salvatore Ragghiante (Ragyante), who 

 is called the Father Hyacinthe of Southern Italy. He 

 is a powerful speaker. Very Punshon-like in his 

 build and manner. The Italian language, so musical 

 in itself, when in the mouth of an eloquent orator is 

 almost as pleasant as the chiming of bells. One can 

 listen with delight to an orator like Ragghiante, even 

 when not understanding his words. 



In the great reform which is slowly being worked 

 out in Italy this good brother has borne a noble part. 

 At the beginning of the reform movement, ten thou- 

 sand priests jointly protested against the continuance 

 of the temporal (Papal) power. The time was 

 apparently not yet ripe for their action. Their move- 

 ment as an organization gradually failed, for the Pope 

 and his conservative adherents were as yet too strong 

 for the protestants. 



From the ruins of this organization arose another 

 somewhat similar, though really more advanced in 

 sentiment. This not only protested against the tem- 

 poral power, but also protested against obligatory 

 confession ; against the use of the Latin language in 



* ~-y 7 o 



the church service, etc. Some of the members also 

 strongly favored the putting of the Bible into the 

 hands of the people. 



