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 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； or 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
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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。
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 these humble 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 innocent Abel 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 flourishing fields and the homes
of an innocent； industrious people； there remained only a desert。 As the
ravenous beast is rendered more furious by the taste of blood； so the rage
of the papists was kindled 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 pinnacles of rock。
No charge could be brought against the moral character of this proscribed
class。 Even their enemies declared them to be a peaceable； quiet； pious
people。 Their grand offense was that they would not worship God according to
the will
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of the pope。 For this crime every humiliation； insult； and torture that men
or devils could invent was heaped upon them。
When Rome at one time determined to exterminate the hated sect； a bull was
issued by the pope； condemning them as heretics； and delivering them to
slaughter。 （See Appendix。） They were not accused as idlers； or dishonest； or
disorderly； but it was declared that they had an appearance of piety and
sanctity that seduced 〃the sheep of the true fold。〃 Therefore the pope
ordered 〃that malicious and abominable sect of malignants；〃 if they 〃refuse
to abjure； to be crushed like venomous snakes。〃Wylie； b。 16； ch。 1。 Did
this haughty potentate expect to meet those words again？ Did he know that
they were registered in the books of h