The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 76

until the understanding could grasp the tidings of salvation. Often would
words like these be uttered: “Will God indeed accept my offering? Will
He smile upon me? Will He pardon me?” The answer was read: “Come
unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28.
Faith grasped the promise, and the glad response was heard: “No
more long pilgrimages to make; no more painful journeys to holy
shrines. I may come to Jesus just as I am, sinful and unholy, and He
will not spurn the penitential prayer. ‘Thy sins be forgiven thee.’ Mine,
even mine, may be forgiven!”
A tide of sacred joy would fill the heart, and the name of Jesus would
be magnified by praise and thanksgiving. Those happy souls returned to
their homes to diffuse light, to repeat to others, as well as they could,
their new experience; that they had found the true and living Way. There
was a strange and solemn power in the words of Scripture that spoke
directly to the hearts of those who were longing for the truth. It was the
voice of God, and it carried conviction to those who heard.
The messenger of truth went on his way; but his appearance of
humility, his sincerity, his earnestness and deep fervor, were subjects
of frequent remark. In many instances his hearers had not asked him
whence he came or whither he went. They had been so overwhelmed,
at first with surprise, and afterward with gratitude and joy, that they had
not thought to question him. When they had urged him to accompany
them to their homes, he had replied that he must visit the lost sheep of
the flock. Could he have been an angel from heaven? they queried.
In many cases the messenger of truth was seen no more. He had
made his way to other lands, or he was wearing out his life in some
unknown dungeon, or perhaps his bones were whitening on the spot
where he had witnessed for the

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