The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 63

be committed to the flames. Before the invention of printing, books were
few in number, and in a form not favorable for preservation; therefore
there was little to prevent the Romanists from carrying out their purpose.
No church within the limits of Romish jurisdiction was long left
undisturbed in the enjoyment of freedom of conscience. No sooner had
the papacy obtained power than she stretched out her arms to crush all
that refused to acknowledge her sway, and one after another the churches
submitted to her dominion.
In Great Britain primitive Christianity had very early taken root. The
gospel received by the Britons in the first centuries was then uncorrupted
by Romish apostasy. Persecution from pagan emperors, which extended
even to these far-off shores, was the only gift that the first churches
of Britain received from Rome. Many of the Christians, fleeing from
persecution in England, found refuge in Scotland; thence the truth
was carried to Ireland, and in all these countries it was received with
gladness.
When the Saxons invaded Britain, heathenism gained control. The
conquerors disdained to be instructed by their slaves, and the Christians
were forced to retreat to the mountains and the wild moors. Yet the light,
hidden for a time, continued to burn. In Scotland, a century later, it shone
out with a brightness that extended to far-distant lands. From Ireland
came the pious Columba and his colaborers, who, gathering about them
the scattered believers on the lonely island of Iona, made this the center
of their missionary labors. Among these 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, not
only to Scotland and England, but to Germany, Switzerland, and even
Italy.
But Rome had fixed her eyes on Britain, and resolved to bring it
under her supremacy. In the sixth century her missionaries undertook
the conversion of the heathen Saxons.

62