194 Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists
the light of day, if by this means they can attain that home among the
blest,—a home not made with-hands, eternal in the heavens.
In their lonely retreats they often met their Redeemer and conversed
with him, as did the two disciples on the way to Emmaus. He would
there open to them the sublime truths of his word, and strengthen them
in their determination not to put confidence in false guides, but to obey
and worship Him only who made and governs the world, “He sees
and knows everything,” they continually repeated to themselves. “He
will hear our prayers, and attend unto our wants. He who feedeth the
ravens will not leave us to perish.” Thus their words of faith cheered
themselves and others, and their trials and perplexities only drove them
nearer to God and increased their faith.
Such was the character, such the motives, of the Waldenses of the
twelfth and thirteenth centuries. Alas, how changed are this people
now! The spirit which animated their fathers, and led them to contend
for pure Bible truth, seems to have slumbered; the light which shone
from their ancestors no longer shines from them. Religious declension
has marked the faith and practice of this once God-fearing people.
Many dissembled to conceal their faith, and by thus compromising
their religion have become corrupted. It is the old story repeated. Men
forget the scenes of most hallowed interest which kept alive their lofty
aspirations, and because of hardships they cease to grow in grace and
in the knowledge of the Scriptures. When they should be advancing,
they are retrograding.
In order now to keep the name of Protestantism alive in these
valleys, Protestants of other countries have expended large sums to
support the Vaudois preachers and College. Until within the last
year, the ministers of the Vaudois churches have been almost entirely
supported by foreign missionary societies. The people have not been
educated to do anything for the support of the gospel; and it was stated
to us as a fact that some are even hired indirectly to become church-
members. We can believe this from an incident that occurred a few
months ago. A lady became very much interested in the truth, and
began to keep the Sabbath. As soon as this was known, she was visited
by leading ones in the church, and told that there was some means
in the mission treasury, and that if she would not unite with us they
would appropriate a certain amount toward repairing her house; and
more than this, they would give her a certain amount each month. This