The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 289

effort for the spread of Christianity in heathen lands. But toward the
close of the eighteenth century a great change took place. Men became
dissatisfied with the results of rationalism and realized the necessity of
divine revelation and experimental religion. From this time the work of
foreign missions attained an unprecedented growth. (See Appendix.)
The improvements in printing have given an impetus to the work
of circulating the Bible. The increased facilities for communication
between different countries, the breaking down of ancient barriers of
prejudice and national exclusiveness, and the loss of secular power by
the pontiff of Rome have opened the way for the entrance of the word
of God. For some years the Bible has been sold without restraint in the
streets of Rome, and it has now been carried to every part of the habitable
globe.
The infidel Voltaire once boastingly said: “I am weary of hearing
people repeat that twelve men established the Christian religion. I will
prove that one man may suffice to overthrow it.” Generations have
passed since his death. Millions have joined in the war upon the Bible.
But it is so far from being destroyed, that where there were a hundred
in Voltaire’s time, there are now ten thousand, yes, a hundred thousand
copies of the book of God. In the words of an early Reformer concerning
the Christian church, “The Bible is an anvil that has worn out many
hammers.” Saith the Lord: “No weapon that is formed against thee shall
prosper; and every tongue that shall r ise against thee in judgment thou
shalt condemn.” Isaiah 54:17.
“The word of our God shall stand forever.” “All His commandments
are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and
uprightness.” Isaiah 40:8; Psalm 111:7, 8. Whatever is built upon the
authority of man will be overthrown; but that which is founded upon the
rock of God’s immutable word shall stand forever.

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