was carefully improved ; the valleys and the less fertile hillsides were made to yield their increase . Economy and severe self-denial formed a part of the education which the children received as their only legacy . They were taught that God designs life to be a discipline , and that their wants could be supplied only by personal labour , by forethought , care , and faith . The process was laborious and wearisome , but it was wholesome , just what man needs in his fallen state , the school which God has provided for his training and development . While the youth were inured to toil and hardship , the culture of the intellect was not neglected . They were taught that all their powers belonged to God , and that all were to be improved and developed for His service .
The Vaudois churches , in their purity and simplicity , resembled the church of apostolic times . Rejecting the supremacy of the pope and prelate , they held the Bible as the only supreme , infallible authority . Their pastors , unlike the lordly priests of Rome , followed the example of their Master , who " came not to be ministered unto , but to minister ." They fed the flock of God , leading them to the green pastures and living fountains of His holy word . Far from the monuments of human pomp and pride the people assembled , not in magnificent churches or grand cathedrals , but beneath the shadow of the mountains , in the Alpine valleys , or , in time of danger , in some rocky stronghold , to listen to the words of truth from the servants of Christ . The pastors not only preached the gospel , but they visited the sick , catechized the children , admonished the erring , and laboured to settle disputes and promote harmony and brotherly love . In times of peace they were sustained by the freewill offerings of the people ; but , like Paul the tentmaker , each learned some trade or profession by which , if necessary , to provide for his own support .
From their pastors the youth received instruction . While attention was given to branches of general learning , the Bible was made the chief study . The Gospels of Matthew and John were committed to memory , with many of the Epistles . They were employed also in copying the Scriptures . Some manuscripts contained the whole Bible , others only brief selections , to which some simple explanations of the text were added by those who were able to expound the Scriptures . Thus were brought forth the treasures of truth so long concealed by those who sought to exalt themselves above God . By patient , untiring labour , sometimes in the deep , dark caverns of the earth , by the light of torches , the Sacred Scriptures were written out , verse by verse , chapter by chapter . Thus the work went on , the revealed will of God shining out like pure gold ; how much brighter , clearer , and more powerful because of the trials undergone for its sake only those could realize who were engaged in the work . Angels from heaven surrounded these faithful workers .
Satan had urged on the papal priests and prelates to bury the word of truth beneath the rubbish of error , heresy , and superstition ; but in a most wonderful manner it was preserved uncorrupted through all the ages of darkness . It bore not the stamp of man , but the impress of God . Men have been unwearied in their efforts to obscure the plain , simple meaning of the Scriptures , and to make them contradict their own testimony ; but like the ark upon the billowy deep , the word of God
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