A STORY FROM ITALY
In 1833 Grand Duke Leopoldo appointed Count Piero Guicciardini to organize schools in Italy, and to prepare teachers for them.
To this end the Count sought the best books of a moral and religious nature that he could recommend. He asked advice from the Abbot Lambuischini, and the Abbot suggested first the Bible. Though a man of culture, the Count did not know Latin, and the Bible in Italian was not in the library of his family nor in those of his acquaintances and friends.
One day he discovered the porter of his house reading something furtively and trying to hide it when he saw the Count. The latter insisted on seeing it and found it was the Bible in Italian! He took the man, a believer in the finished work of Christ, to a quiet room where they read the Holy Word together. Through it the Count was brought to know the Lord Jesus as his Savior. He saw himself a sinner needing salvation, and happily accepted the pardon and forgiveness freely offered through Christ's work on the cross. He could not keep such good news to himself, and soon many of his friends were likewise rejoicing in the Lord.
They met secretly in caves about seven miles out of Florence; and sometimes, in order to escape the police, a few, riding in a carriage, or in a boat on the river Arno, read together the sacred pages. However, they were discovered and the Count was arrested and put in prison; but there, too, the One who had saved him filled his heart with joy and peace.
Later, through the influence of his family, Count Piero was released from prison but exiled to England. Here he met a fellow-countryman named Rosetti. The Count told him the good news of free salvation through Christ and His work on the cross, and soon he too was a happy believer in the Lord Jesus. Together they returned to Italy about 1860, and were much used of the Lord in spreading the gospel there.
But who shall say that the many souk saved in Italy through the ministry of the Count and his dear friend Rosetti were the fruit of their labors alone? How about the lowly Christian porter whose treasured Book was used of God to bring the Count into the light? And the venerable Abbot who gave preeminence to God's precious Word? Surely all who sow the seed of the Word in sincerity shall share in the reward. Paul said: "I have planted, Apollos watered: but God gave the increase." 1 Cor. 3:66I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. (1 Corinthians 3:6).
You who have Bibles—do you value and read them? It is the God-breathed Book, His message to you. Do you know His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, as your own Savior? If you have not accepted Him, read Romans 5, verse 8. "God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
"Oh, do not let the Word depart,
Nor close thine eyes against the Light!
Poor sinner, harden not your heart;
Be saved, then, tonight."