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had been enlightened by the word of God longed to point these
souls to Jesus as their compassionate, loving Saviour, standing with
outstretched arms, inviting all to come to him with their burden of sin,
their care and weariness. They longed to clear away the obstructions
which Satan had piled up that men might not see the promises, and
come directly to God, confessing their sins, and obtaining pardon
and peace.
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Eagerly did the Vaudois missionary unfold to the inquiring mind
the precious truths of the gospel. Cautiously he produced the care-
fully written portions of the word of God. It was his greatest joy to
give hope to the conscientious, sin-stricken soul, who could see only
a God of vengeance, waiting to execute justice. With quivering lip
and tearful eye did he, often on bended knees, open to his brethren
the precious promises that reveal the si
light of truth penetrated many a darkened mind, rolling back the
cloud of gloom, until the Sun of Righteousness shone into the heart
with healing in his beams. Some portions of Scripture were read
again and again, the hearer desiring them to be often repeated, as if
he would assure himself that he had heard aright. Especially was
the repetition of these words eagerly desired: “The blood of Jesus
Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” [1 John 1:7.] “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man
be lifted up, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but
have eternal life.” [John 3:14, 15.]
Many were undeceived in regard to the claims of Rome. They
saw how vain is the mediation of men or angels in behalf of the
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si
with rejoicing, “Christ is my priest; his blood is my sacrifice; his
altar is my confessional.” They cast themselves wholly upon the
merits of Jesus, repeating the words, “Without faith it is impossible
to please God.” [Hebrews 11:6.] “There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” [Acts 4:12.]
The assurance of a Saviour’s love seemed too much for some of
these poor tempest-tossed souls to realize. So great was the relief
which it brought, such a flood of light was shed upon them, that they
seemed transported to Heaven. Their hand was laid confidingly in
the hand of Christ; their feet were planted upon the Rock of Ages.
All fear of death was banished. They could now covet the prison and
the fagot if they might thereby honor the name of their Redeemer.
In secret places the word of God was thus brought forth and
read, sometimes to a single soul, sometimes to a little company who
were longing for light and truth. Often the entire night was spent in
this ma
listeners that the messenger of mercy was not infrequently compelled
to cease his reading until the understanding could grasp the tidings
50
The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4
of salvation. Often would words like these be uttered: “Will God
indeed accept my offering? Will he smile upon me? Will he pardon
me?” The answer was read, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and
are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” [Matthew 11:23.]
Faith grasps the promise, and the glad response is heard, “No
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more long pilgrimages to make; no more painful journeys to holy
shrines. I may come to Jesus just as I am, sinful and unholy, and
he will not spurn the penitential prayer. ‘Thy sins be forgiven thee.’
Mine, even mine, may be forgiven.”
A tide of sacred joy would fill the heart, and the name of Jesus
would be magnified by praise and thanksgiving. Those happy souls
returned to their homes to diffuse light, to repeat to others, as well
as they could, their new experience; that they had found the true and
living Way. There was a strange and solemn power in the words of
Scripture that spoke directly to the hearts of those who were longing
for the truth. It was the voice of God, and it carried conviction to
those who heard.
The messenger of truth went on his way; but his appearance
of humility, his sincerity, his earnestness and deep fervor, were
subjects of frequent remark. In many instances his hearers had not
asked him whence he came, or whither he went. They had been so
overwhelmed, at first with surprise, and afterward with gratitude and
joy, that they had not thought to question him. When they had urged
him to accompany them to their homes, he had replied that he must
visit the lost sheep of the flock. Could he have been an angel from
Heaven? they queried.
In many cases the messenger of truth was seen no more. He had
made his way to other lands, he was wearing out his life in some
unknown dungeon, or perhaps his bones were whitening on the spot
where he had witnessed for the truth. But the words he had left
behind could not be destroyed. They were doing their work in the
hearts of men: the blessed results will be fully known only in the
Judgment.
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The Waldensian missionaries were invading the kingdom of
Satan, and the powers of darkness aroused to greater vigilance.
Every effort to advance the truth was watched by the prince of evil,
and he excited the fears of his agents. The papal leaders saw a
portent of danger to their cause from the labors of those humble
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51
itinerants. If the light of truth were allowed to shine unobstructed,
it would sweep away the heavy clouds of error that enveloped the
people; it would direct the minds of men to God alone, and would
eventually destroy the supremacy of Rome.
The very existence of this people, holding the faith of the ancient
church, was a constant testimony to Rome’s apostasy, and therefore
excited the most bitter hatred and persecution. Their refusal to
surrender the Scriptures was also an offense that Rome could not
tolerate. She determined to blot them from the earth. Now began the
most terrible crusades against God’s people in their mountain homes.
Inquisitors were put upon their track, and the scene of i
falling before the murderous Cain was often repeated.
Again and again were their fertile lands laid waste, their
dwellings and chapels swept away, so that where once were flour-
ishing fields and the homes of an i
remained only a desert. As the ravenous beast is rendered more
furious by the taste of blood, so was the rage of the papists kin-
dled to greater intensity by the sufferings of their victims. Many of
these witnesses for a pure faith were pursued across the mountains,
and hunted down in the valleys where they were hidden, shut in by
mighty forests, and pi