immutable righteousness of Jehovah . They pointed their children to the heights towering above them in unchanging majesty , and spoke to them of Him with whom there is no variableness nor shadow of turning , whose word is as enduring as the everlasting hills . God had set fast the mountains and girded them with strength ; no arm but that of Infinite Power could move them out of their place . In like manner He had established His law , the foundation of His government in heaven and upon earth . The arm of man might reach his fellow men and destroy their lives ; but that arm could as readily uproot the mountains from their foundations , and hurl them into the sea , as it could change one precept of the law of Jehovah , or blot out one of His promises to those who do His will . In their fidelity to His law , God ' s servants should be as firm as the unchanging hills .
The mountains that girded their lowly valleys were a constant witness to God ' s creative power , and a never-failing assurance of His protecting care . Those pilgrims learned to love the silent symbols of Jehovah ' s presence . They indulged no repining because of the hardships of their lot ; they were never lonely amid the mountain solitudes . They thanked God that He had provided for them an asylum from the wrath and cruelty of men . They rejoiced in their freedom to worship before Him . Often when pursued by their enemies , the strength of the hills proved a sure defense . From many a lofty cliff they chanted the praise of God , and the armies of Rome could not silence their songs of thanksgiving .
Pure , simple , and fervent was the piety of these followers of Christ . The principles of truth they valued above houses and lands , friends , kindred , even life itself . These principles they earnestly sought to impress upon the hearts of the young . From earliest childhood the youth were instructed in the Scriptures and taught to regard sacredly the claims of the law of God . Copies of the Bible were rare ; therefore its precious words were committed to memory . Many were able to repeat large portions of both the Old and the New Testament . Thoughts of God were associated alike with the sublime scenery of nature and with the humble blessings of daily life . Little children learned to look with gratitude to God as the giver of every favour and every comfort .
Parents , tender and affectionate as they were , loved their children too wisely to accustom them to self-indulgence . Before them was a life of trial and hardship , perhaps a martyr ' s death . They were educated from childhood to endure hardness , to submit to control , and yet to think and act for themselves . Very early they were taught to bear responsibilities , to be guarded in speech , and to understand the wisdom of silence . One indiscreet word let fall in the hearing of their enemies might imperil not only the life of the speaker , but the lives of hundreds of his brethren ; for as wolves hunting their prey did the enemies of truth pursue those who dared to claim freedom of religious faith .
The Waldenses had sacrificed their worldly prosperity for the truth ' s sake , and with persevering patience they toiled for their bread . Every spot of tillable land among the mountains
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