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the Reformation they possessed the Bible in manuscript in their native
tongue。 They had the truth unadulterated； and this rendered them the special
objects of hatred and persecution。 They declared the Church of Rome to be
the apostate Babylon of the Apocalypse； and at the peril of their lives they
stood up to resist her corruptions。 While； under the pressure of
long…continued persecution； some compromised their faith； little by little
yielding its distinctive principles； others held fast the truth。 Through
ages of darkness and apostasy there were Waldenses who denied the supremacy
of Rome； who rejected image worship as idolatry； and who kept the true
Sabbath。 Under the fiercest tempests of opposition they maintained their
faith。 Though gashed by the Savoyard spear； and scorched by the Romish
fagot； they stood unflinchingly for God's word and His honor。
Behind the lofty bulwarks of the mountainsin all ages the refuge of the
persecuted and oppressedthe Waldenses
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found a hiding place。 Here the light of truth was kept burning amid the
darkness of the Middle Ages。 Here； for a thousand years； witnesses for the
truth maintained the ancient faith。
God had provided for His people a sanctuary of awful grandeur； befitting the
mighty truths committed to their trust。 To those faithful exiles the
mountains were an emblem of the immutable righteousness of Jehovah。 They
pointed their children to the heights towering above them in unchanging
majesty； and spoke to them of Him with whom there is no variableness nor
shadow of turning； whose word is as enduring as the everlasting hills。 God
had set fast the mountains and girded them with strength； no arm but that of
Infinite Power could move them out of their place。 In like manner He had
established His law； the foundation of His government in heaven and upon
earth。 The arm of man might reach his fellow men and destroy their lives；
but that arm could as readily uproot the mountains from their foundations；
and hurl them into the sea； as it could change one precept of the law of
Jehovah； or blot out one of His promises to those who do His will。 In their
fidelity to His law； God's servants should be as firm as the unchanging
hills。
The mountains that girded their lowly valleys were a constant witness to
God's creative power； and a never…failing assurance of His protecting care。
Those pilgrims learned to love the silent symbols of Jehovah's presence。
They indulged no repining because of the hardships of their lot； they were
never lonely amid the mountain solitudes。 They thanked God that He had
provided for them an asylum from the wrath and cruelty of men。 They rejoiced
in their freedom to worship before Him。 Often when pursued by their enemies；
the strength of the hills proved a sure defense。 From many a lofty cliff
they chanted the praise of God； and the armies of Rome could not silence
their songs of thanksgiving。
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Pure； simple； and fervent was the piety of these followers of Christ。 The
principles of truth they valued above houses and lands； friends； kindred；
even life itself。 These principles they earnestly sought to impress upon the
hearts of the young。 From earliest childhood the youth were instructed in
the Scriptures and taught to regard sacredly the claims of the law of God。
Copies of the Bible were rare； therefore its precious words were committed
to memory。 Many were able to repeat large portions of both the Old and the
New Testament。 Thoughts of God were associated alike with the sublime
scenery of nature and with the humble blessings of daily life。 Little
children learned to look with gratitude to God as the giver of every favor
and every comfort。
Parents； tender and affectionate as they were； loved their children too
wisely to accustom them to self…indulgence。 Before them was a life of trial
and hardship； perhaps a martyr's death。 They were educated from childhood to
endure hardness； to submit to control； and yet to think and act for
themselves。 Very early they were taught to bear responsibilities； to be
guarded in speech； and to understand the wisdom of silence。 One indiscreet
word let fall in the hearing of their enemies might imperil not only the
life of the speaker； but the lives of hundreds of his brethren； for as
wolves hunting their prey did the enemies of truth pursue those who dared to
claim freedom of religious faith。
The Waldenses had sacrificed their worldly prosperity for the truth's sake；
and with persevering patience they toiled for their bread。 Every spot of
tillable land among the mountains was carefully improved； the valleys and
the less fertile hillsides were made to yield their increase。 Economy and
severe self…denial formed a part of the education which the children
received as their only legacy。 They were taught that God designs life to be
a discipline； and that their wants could be supplied only by personal labor；
by forethought； care； and faith。 The process was laborious and wearisome；
but it was
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wholesome； just what man needs in his fallen state； the school which God has
provided for his training and development。 While the youth were inured to
toil and hardship； the culture of the intellect was not neglected。 They were
taught that all their powers belonged to God； and that all were to be
improved and developed for His service。
The Vaudois churches； in their purity and simplicity； resembled the church
of apostolic times。 Rejecting the supremacy of the pope and prelate； they
held the Bible as the only supreme； infallible authority。 Their pastors；
unlike the lordly priests of Rome； followed the example of their Master； who
〃came not to be ministered unto； but to minister。〃 They fed the flock of
God； leading them to the green pastures and living fountains of His holy
word。 Far from the monuments of human pomp and pride the people assembled；
not in magnificent churches or grand cathedrals； but beneath the shadow of
the mountains； in the Alpine valleys； or； in time of danger； in some rocky
stronghold； to listen to the words of truth from the servants of Christ。 The
pastors not only preached the gospel； but they visited the sick； catechized
the children； admonished the erring； and labored to settle disputes and
promote harmony and brotherly love。 In times of peace they were sustained by
the freewill offerings of the people； but； like Paul the tentmaker； each
learned some trade or profession by which； if necessary； to provide for his
own support。
From their pastors the youth received instruction。 While attention was given
to branches of general learning； the Bible was made the chief study。 The
Gospels of Matthew and John were committed to memory； with many of the
Epistles。 They were employed also in copying the Scriptures。 Some
manuscripts contained the whole Bible； others only brief selections； to
which some simple explanations of the text were added by those who were able
to expound the Scriptures。 Thus were brought forth the treasures of truth so
long
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concealed by those who sought to exalt themselves above God。
By patient； untiring labor； sometimes in the deep； dark caverns of the
earth； by the light of torches； the Sacred Scriptures were written out；
verse by verse； chapter by chapter。 Thus the work went on； the revealed will
of God shining out like pure gold； how much brighter； clearer； and more
powerful because of the trials undergone for its sake only those could
realize who were engaged in the work。 Angels from heaven surrounded these
faithful workers。
Satan had urged on the papal priests and prelates to bury the word of truth
beneath the rubbish of error； heresy； and superstition； but in a most
wonderful manner it was preserved uncorrupted through all the ages of
darkness。 It bore not the stamp of man； but the impress of God。 Men have
been unwearied in their efforts to obscure the plain； simple meaning of the
Scriptures； and to make them contradict their own testimony； but like the
ark upon the billowy deep； the word of God outrides the storms that threaten
it with des