Page:Robert Carter- his life and work. 1807-1889 (IA robertcarterhis00coch).pdf/182

166 added a little spice of interest and adventure, appealing to the imagination, and seeming to connect the worshippers with those who eighteen centuries ago had worshipped in the Catacombs under the ban of those in authority.

Mr. Carter met an old friend who had visited his store in New York, the Rev. Mr. B&horbar;. This gentleman had some years before been on board the ocean steamer “Amazon” when she was burned at sea, and had escaped in a lifeboat. He had written a little tract giving a description of the burning, and making an application by warning sinners to flee from a similar peril. Before coming to Italy, he had had this tract translated into Italian, and brought a large number of copies with him for distribution as he travelled. As he went about Rome, he gave away a number of these leaflets, handing one to his landlady, another to a soldier in the Lateran palace. In St. Peter’s, he entered into conversation with a priest, and handed him one of the tracts. The next day an officer entered his rooms, and said that he and his package of books must go at once to the police court. Arrived there, he was accused of circulating Protestant tracts. “You are mistaken,” said he, “there is nothing controversial in these tracts. There is nothing in them but what Protestants and Catholics alike believe. It is a simple appeal to sinners to flee from the wrath to come.” “No cavilling, sir,” said the judge. “You cannot be allowed to stay longer here. You must take the first steamer that leaves Civita Vecchia, and after you get on board, your tracts will be restored to you.” In vain he protested that he had a written permit to stay in Rome for a month. Go he must, and go he did.

One of the most delightful episodes of this journey