the midst of crackling flames。 Looking upward by faith； they saw Christ and
angels leaning over the battlements of heaven； gazing upon them with the
deepest interest and regarding their steadfastness with approval。 A voice
came down to them from the throne of God： 〃Be thou faithful unto death； and
I will give thee a crown of life。〃 Revelation 2：10。
In vain were Satan's efforts to destroy the church of Christ by violence。
The great controversy in which the disciples of Jesus yielded up their lives
did not cease when these faithful standard…bearers fell at their post。 By
defeat they conquered。 God's workmen were slain； but His work went steadily
forward。 The gospel continued to spread and the number of its adherents to
increase。 It penetrated into regions that were inaccessible even to the
eagles of Rome。 Said a Christian； expostulating with the heathen rulers who
were urging forward the persecution： You may 〃kill us； torture us； condemn
us。 。 。 。 Your injustice is the proof that we are innocent
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。 。 。 。 Nor does your cruelty 。 。 。 avail you。〃 It was but a stronger
invitation to bring others to their persuasion。 〃The oftener we are mown
down by you； the more in number we grow； the blood of Christians is
seed。〃Tertullian； Apology； paragraph 50。
Thousands were imprisoned and slain； but others sprang up to fill their
places。 And those who were martyred for their faith were secured to Christ
and accounted of Him as conquerors。 They had fought the good fight； and they
were to receive the crown of glory when Christ should come。 The sufferings
which they endured brought Christians nearer to one another and to their
Redeemer。 Their living example and dying testimony were a constant witness
for the truth； and where least expected； the subjects of Satan were leaving
his service and enlisting under the banner of Christ。
Satan therefore laid his plans to war more successfully against the
government of God by planting his banner in the Christian church。 If the
followers of Christ could be deceived and led to displease God； then their
strength； fortitude； and firmness would fail； and they would fall an easy
prey。
The great adversary now endeavored to gain by artifice what he had failed to
secure by force。 Persecution ceased； and in its stead were substituted the
dangerous allurements of temporal prosperity and worldly honor。 Idolaters
were led to receive a part of the Christian faith； while they rejected other
essential truths。 They professed to accept Jesus as the Son of God and to
believe in His death and resurrection； but they had no conviction of sin and
felt no need of repentance or of a change of heart。 With some concessions on
their part they proposed that Christians should make concessions； that all
might unite on the platform of belief in Christ。
Now the church was in fearful peril。 Prison； torture； fire； and sword were
blessings in comparison with this。 Some of the Christians stood firm；
declaring that they could make no
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compromise。 Others were in favor of yielding or modifying some features of
their faith and uniting with those who had accepted a part of Christianity；
urging that this might be the means of their full conversion。 That was a
time of deep anguish to the faithful followers of Christ。 Under a cloak of
pretended Christianity； Satan was insinuating himself into the church； to
corrupt their faith and turn their minds from the word of truth。
Most of the Christians at last consented to lower their standard； and a
union was formed between Christianity and paganism。 Although the worshipers
of idols professed to be converted； and united with the church； they still
clung to their idolatry； only changing the objects of their worship to
images of Jesus； and even of Mary and the saints。 The foul leaven of
idolatry； thus brought into the church； continued its baleful work。 Unsound
doctrines； superstitious rites； and idolatrous ceremonies were incorporated
into her faith and worship。 As the followers of Christ united with
idolaters； the Christian religion became corrupted； and the church lost her
purity and power。 There were some； however； who were not misled by these
delusions。 They still maintained their fidelity to the Author of truth and
worshiped God alone。
There have ever been two classes among those who profess to be followers of
Christ。 While one class study the Saviour's life and earnestly seek to
correct their defects and conform to the Pattern； the other class shun the
plain； practical truths which expose their errors。 Even in her best estate
the church was not composed wholly of the true； pure； and sincere。 Our
Saviour taught that those who willfully indulge in sin are not to be
received into the church； yet He connected with Himself men who were faulty
in character； and granted them the benefits of His teachings and example；
that they might have an opportunity to see their errors and correct them。
Among the twelve apostles was a traitor。 Judas was accepted； not
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because of his defects of character； but notwithstanding them。 He was
connected with the disciples； that； through the instruction and example of
Christ； he might learn what constitutes Christian character； and thus be led
to see his errors； to repent； and； by the aid of divine grace； to purify his
soul 〃in obeying the truth。〃 But Judas did not walk in the light so
graciously permitted to shine upon him。 By indulgence in sin he invited the
temptations of Satan。 His evil traits of character became predominant。 He
yielded his mind to the control of the powers of darkness； he became angry
when his faults were reproved； and thus he was led to commit the fearful
crime of betraying his Master。 So do all who cherish evil under a profession
of godliness hate those who disturb their peace by condemning their course
of sin。 When a favorable opportunity is presented； they will； like Judas；
betray those who for their good have sought to reprove them。
The apostles encountered those in the church who professed godliness while
they were secretly cherishing iniquity。 Ananias and Sapphira acted the part
of deceivers； pretending to make an entire sacrifice for God； when they were
covetously withholding a portion for themselves。 The Spirit of truth
revealed to the apostles the real character of these pretenders； and the
judgments of God rid the church of this foul blot upon its purity。 This
signal evidence of the discerning Spirit of Christ in the church was a
terror to hypocrites and evildoers。 They could not long remain in connection
with those who were； in habit and disposition； constant representatives of
Christ； and as trials and persecution came upon His followers； those only
who were willing to forsake all for the truth's sake desired to become His
disciples。 Thus； as long as persecution continued； the church remained
comparatively pure。 But as it ceased； converts were added who were less
sincere and devoted； and the way was open for Satan to obtain a foothold。
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But there is no union between the Prince of light and the prince of
darkness； and there can be no union between their followers。 When Christians
consented to unite with those who were but half converted from paganism；
they entered upon a path which led further and further from the truth。 Satan
exulted that he had succeeded in deceiving so large a number of the
followers of Christ。 He then brought his power to bear more fully upon
these； and inspired them to persecute those who remained true to God。 None
understood so well how to oppose the true Christian faith as did those who
had once been its defenders； and these apostate Christians； uniting with
their half…pagan companions； directed their warfare against the most
essential features of the doctrines of Christ。
It required a desperate struggle for those who would be faithful to stand
firm against the deceptions and abominations which were disguised in
sacerdotal garments and introduced into the church。 The Bible was not
accepted as the standard of faith。 The doctrine of religious freedom was
termed heresy； and its upholders were hated and proscribed。
After a long and severe conflict； the faithful few decided to dissolve all
union with the apostate church if she still refused to free herself from
falsehood and idolatry。 They saw that separation was an absolute necessity
if they would obey the word of God。 They dared not tolerate errors fatal to
their own souls； and set an example which would imperil the faith of their
children and children's children。 To secure peace and unity they were ready
to make any concession consistent with fidelity to God； but they felt that
even peace would be too dearly purchased at the sacrifice of principle。 If
unity could be secured only by the compromise of truth and righteousness；
then let there be difference； and even war。
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Well would it be for the church and the world if the principles that
actuated those steadfast souls were revived in the hearts of God's professed
people。 There is an alarming indifference in regard to the do