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of their own mountains； but it extended far beyond these limits。 With naked
feet and in garments coarse and travel…stained as were those of their
Master；
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they passed through great cities and penetrated to distant lands。 Everywhere
they scattered the precious seed。 Churches sprang up in their path； and the
blood of martyrs witnessed for the truth。 The day of God will reveal a rich
harvest of souls garnered by the labors of these faithful men。 Veiled and
silent； the word of God was making its way through Christendom and meeting a
glad reception in the homes and hearts of men。
To the Waldenses the Scriptures were not merely a record of God's dealings
with men in the past； and a revelation of the responsibilities and duties of
the present； but an unfolding of the perils and glories of the future。 They
believed that the end of all things was not far distant； and as they studied
the Bible with prayer and tears they were the more deeply impressed with its
precious utterances and with their duty to make known to others its saving
truths。 They saw the plan of salvation clearly revealed in the sacred pages；
and they found comfort； hope； and peace in believing in Jesus。 As the light
illuminated their understanding and made glad their hearts； they longed to
shed its beams upon those who were in the darkness of papal error。
They saw that under the guidance of pope and priest； multitudes were vainly
endeavoring to obtain pardon by afflicting their bodies for the sin of their
souls。 Taught to trust to their good works to save them； they were ever
looking to themselves； their minds dwelling upon their sinful condition；
seeing themselves exposed to the wrath of God； afflicting soul and body； yet
finding no relief。 Thus conscientious souls were bound by the doctrines of
Rome。 Thousands abandoned friends and kindred； and spent their lives in
convent cells。 By oft…repeated fasts and cruel scourgings； by midnight
vigils； by prostration for weary hours upon the cold； damp stones of their
dreary abode； by long pilgrimages； by humiliating penance and fearful
torture； thousands vainly sought to obtain peace of conscience。 Oppressed
with a sense of sin； and haunted with the fear of God's avenging
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wrath； many suffered on； until exhausted nature gave way； and without one
ray of light or hope they sank into the tomb。
The Waldenses longed to break to these starving souls the bread of life； to
open to them the messages of peace in the promises of God； and to point them
to Christ as their only hope of salvation。 The doctrine that good works can
atone for the transgression of God's law they held to be based upon
falsehood。 Reliance upon human merit intercepts the view of Christ's
infinite love。 Jesus died as a sacrifice for man because the fallen race can
do nothing to recommend themselves to God。 The merits of a crucified and
risen Saviour are the foundation of the Christian's faith。 The dependence of
the soul upon Christ is as real； and its connection with Him must be as
close； as that of a limb to the body； or of a branch to the vine。
The teachings of popes and priests had led men to look upon the character of
God； and even of Christ； as stern； gloomy； and forbidding。 The Saviour was
represented as so far devoid of sympathy with man in his fallen state that
the mediation of priests and saints must be invoked。 Those whose minds 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。
Eagerly did the Vaudois missionary unfold to the inquiring mind the precious
truths of the gospel。 Cautiously he produced the carefully written portions
of the Holy Scriptures。 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
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precious promises that reveal the sinner's only hope。 Thus the 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。 It was often the case that some portion of Scripture was read again
and again； the hearer desiring it to be 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 sinner。 As the true light
dawned upon their minds they exclaimed 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 Him。〃 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 hands were 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 manner。 So great would
be the wonder and admiration of the listeners that the messenger of mercy
was not infrequently compelled to cease his reading
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until the understanding could grasp the tidings 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 your rest。〃 Matthew
11：28。
Faith grasped the promise； and the glad response was heard： 〃No 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 returne