The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 74

wrath, many suffered on, until exhausted nature gave way, and without
one ray of light or hope they sank into the tomb.
The Waldenses longed to break to these starving souls the bread of
life, to open to them the messages of peace in the promises of God, and
to point them to Christ as their only hope of salvation. The doctrine that
good works can atone for the transgression of God’s law they held to be
based upon falsehood. Reliance upon human merit intercepts the view of
Christ’s infinite love. Jesus died as a sacrifice for man because the fallen
race can do nothing to recommend themselves to God. The merits of
a crucified and risen Saviour are the foundation of the Christian’s faith.
The dependence of the soul upon Christ is as real, and its connection
with Him must be as close, as that of a limb to the body, or of a branch
to the vine.
The teachings of popes and priests had led men to look upon the
character of God, and even of Christ, as stern, gloomy, and forbidding.
The Saviour was represented as so far devoid of sympathy with man in
his fallen state that the mediation of priests and saints must be invoked.
Those whose minds had been enlightened by the word of God longed
to point these souls to Jesus as their compassionate, loving Saviour,
standing with outstretched arms, inviting all to come to Him with their
burden of sin, their care and weariness. They longed to clear away
the obstructions which Satan had piled up that men might not see the
promises, and come directly to God, confessing their sins, and obtaining
pardon and peace.
Eagerly did the Vaudois missionary unfold to the inquiring mind
the precious truths of the gospel. Cautiously he produced the carefully
written portions of the Holy Scriptures. It was his greatest joy to give
hope to the conscientious, sin-stricken soul, who could see only a God
of vengeance, waiting to execute justice. With quivering lip and tearful
eye did he, often on bended knees, open to his brethren the

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