Waldenses stood foremost。 In the very land where popery had fixed its seat；
there its falsehood and corruption were most steadfastly resisted。 For
centuries the churches of Piedmont maintained their independence； but the
time came at last when Rome insisted upon their submission。 After
ineffectual struggles against her tyranny； the leaders of these churches
reluctantly acknowledged the supremacy of the power to which the whole world
seemed to pay homage。 There were some； however； who refused to yield to the
authority of pope or prelate。 They were determined to maintain their
allegiance to God and to preserve the purity and simplicity of their faith。
A separation took place。 Those who adhered to the ancient faith now
withdrew； some； forsaking their native Alps； raised the banner of truth in
foreign lands； others retreated to the secluded glens and rocky fastnesses
of the mountains； and there preserved their freedom to worship God。
The faith which for centuries was held and taught by the Waldensian
Christians was in marked contrast to the false doctrines put forth from
Rome。 Their religious belief was founded upon the written word of God； the
true system of Christianity。 But those humble peasants； in their obscure
retreats； shut away from the world； and bound to daily toil among their
flocks and their vineyards； had not by themselves arrived at the truth in
opposition to the dogmas and heresies of the apostate church。 Theirs was not
a faith newly received。 Their religious belief was their inheritance from
their fathers。 They contended for the faith of the apostolic church；〃the
faith which was once delivered unto the saints。〃 Jude 3。 〃The church in the
wilderness；〃 and not the proud hierarchy enthroned in the world's great
capital； was the true church of Christ； the guardian of the treasures of
truth which God has committed to His people to be given to the world。
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Among the leading causes that had led to the separation of the true church
from Rome was the hatred of the latter toward the Bible Sabbath。 As foretold
by prophecy； the papal power cast down the truth to the ground。 The law of
God was trampled in the dust； while the traditions and customs of men were
exalted。 The churches that were under the rule of the papacy were early
compelled to honor the Sunday as a holy day。 Amid the prevailing error and
superstition； many； even of the true people of God； became so bewildered
that while they observed the Sabbath； they refrained from labor also on the
Sunday。 But this did not satisfy the papal leaders。 They demanded not only
that Sunday be hallowed； but that the Sabbath be profaned； and they
denounced in the strongest language those who dared to show it honor。 It was
only by fleeing from the power of Rome that any could obey God's law in
peace。 （See Appendix。）
The Waldenses were among the first of the peoples of Europe to obtain a
translation of the Holy Scriptures。 （See Appendix。） Hundreds of years before
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
pasto