Prochet, Matteo

Prochet, Matteo a noted modern Italian Protestant theologian, was born in Piedmont in 1836. He was afforded by his Waldensian parents all the educational and religious advantages that might properly fit him for Church service, but on the outbreak of the Franco-Italian-Austrian war in 1859 he took up arms for his country's freedom and greatly distinguished himself by his bravery. After his return from the field of battle he continued his theological studies, and in 1862 was ordained minister in the Church of the Vaudois. He soon rose to positions of distinction, and was repeatedly honored by his ecclesiastical associates in missions to the sister churches of the Continent and of England, Scotland, and Ireland. He finally became the president of the Waldensian missions in Italy, and in 1873 was sent to represent his Church in the Evangelical World Alliance at New York. While in this country he spoke frequently and greatly impressed that distinguished body by his learning and wisdom. He was at the time pastor in Geneva and also professor of theology. On his return voyage from this country he was accompanied by the much-lamented Carrasco, the Spanish convert to Protestantism, who was one of his most intimate friends, and with whom he had planned several important polemical treatises against Romanism and her relations to the State. Prochet has a fine, commanding presence-tall in figure, broad-chested, quick in movement and speech, like most of the sons of the South; keen in perception, and accurate in his scholarship. His influence is great not only in Italian Protestantism, but in evangelical Christianity. See Report of the Alliance, (1873). (J. H. W.)