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The Great Controversy 1888
These writings were studied with deep interest by rich and poor, the
learned and the ignorant. At night the teachers of the village schools
read them aloud to little groups gathered at the fireside. With every
effort, some souls would be convicted of the truth, and, receiving the
word with gladness, would in their turn tell the good news to others.
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The words of inspiration were verified: “The entrance of thy words
giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” [
Psalm 119:130
.]
The study of the Scriptures was working a mighty change in the
minds and hearts of the people. The papal rule had placed upon its
subjects an iron yoke which held them in ignorance and degradation. A
superstitious observance of forms had been scrupulously maintained;
but in all their service the heart and intellect had had little part. The
preaching of Luther, setting forth the plain truths of God’s Word, and
then the Word itself, placed in the hands of the common people, had
aroused their dormant powers, not only purifying and ennobling the
spiritual nature, but imparting new strength and vigor to the intellect.
Persons of all ranks were to be seen with the Bible in their hands,
defending the doctrines of the Reformation. The papists who had left
the study of the Scriptures to the priests and monks, now called upon
them to come forward and refute the new teachings. But, ignorant
alike of the Scriptures and of the power of God, priests and friars were
totally defeated by those whom they had denounced as unlearned and
heretical. “Unhappily,” said a Catholic writer. “Luther had persuaded
his followers that their faith ought only to be founded on the oracles
of Holy Writ.” Crowds would gather to hear the truth advocated by
men of little education, and even discussed by them with learned and
eloquent theologians. The shameful ignorance of these great men was
made apparent as their arguments were met by the simple teachings
of God’s Word. Laborers, soldiers, women, and even children, were
better acquainted with the Bible teachings than were the priests and
learned doctors.
The contrast between the disciples of the gospel and the upholders
of popish superstition was no less manifest in the ranks of scholars
than among the common people. “Opposed to the old defenders of the
hierarchy, who had neglected the acquirement of the languages and the
cultivation of literature, were generous-minded youths, most of them
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devoted to study and the investigation of the Scriptures, and acquainted
with the literary treasures of antiquity. Gifted with quickness of ap-