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Chapter 4—The Waldenses Defend the Faith
During the long period of papal supremacy, there were witnesses
for God who cherished faith in Christ as the only mediator between
God and man. They held the Bible as the only rule of life, and
hallowed the true Sabbath. They were branded as heretics, their
writings suppressed, misrepresented, or mutilated. Yet they stood
firm.
They have little place in human records, except in the accusations
of their persecutors. Everything “heretical.” whether persons or
writings, Rome sought to destroy. Rome endeavored also to destroy
every record of her cruelty toward dissenters. Before the invention
of printing, books were few in number; therefore there was little to
prevent the Romanists from carrying out their purpose. No sooner
had the papacy obtained power than she stretched out her arms to
crush all that refused to acknowledge her sway.
In Great Britain primitive Christianity had early taken root, un-
corrupted by Romish apostasy. Persecution from pagan emperors
was the only gift the first churches of Britain received from Rome.
Many Christians fleeing persecution in England found refuge in
Scotland. Thence truth was carried to Ireland, and in these countries
it was received with gladness.
When the Saxons invaded Britain, heathenism gained control,
and the Christians were forced to retreat to the mountains. In Scot-
land, a century later, the light shone out to far-distant lands. From
Ireland came Columba and his colaborers, who made the lonely
island of Iona the center of their missionary labors. Among these
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evangelists was an observer of the Bible Sabbath, and thus this truth
was introduced among the people. A school was established at Iona,
from which missionaries went out to Scotland, England, Germany,
Switzerland, and even Italy.
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