welcome this new colony and extend to them the right hand of Christian
fellowship. This they have done.

As soon as the colony was established and the people were felling the
forests and building their humble homes, they applied to us for
assistance for the support of the pastor and teacher. The colonists
themselves made large sacrifices, and only asked us to assist them in
the support of their religious and educational leaders.

Rev. Enrico Vinay, a native of Italy, was their first pastor. Mr. M.A.
Jahier, was selected as their teacher. Mr. Jahier, together with Dr.
Tron, was in conference with us in New York, and the simple, Christian
character and progressive educational ideas of the Waldensean teacher
charmed and impressed us all. He went into the field and opened a school
and Sunday-school at Valdese, as the colonists call their mountain
village.

The Rev. Enrico Vinay remained with the people for nearly a year, being
in regular correspondence with the officers of this Association. He was
then called to another field, and Rev. B. Soulier was chosen as their
pastor. Mr. Soulier is also a native of Italy. He is a thoroughly
educated young man, and speaks English readily. He was educated in his
own school in Italy, and completed a course at Edinburgh University in
Scotland. His work is proving most successful.

Such is the interesting and providential beginning of our work in
conjunction with these Waldenses in this field. We have this new problem
upon our hearts and treasury. Who can say that God has not led us into
this work, and opened this opportunity for helpful and sympathetic
co-operation with these earnest Christian people who have settled in our