ABOUT seven hundred years ago there lived in the city of Lyons, in France, a wealthy merchant, named Peter Waldo; yet, although very rich, he was not happy, for the Spirit of God had convicted him of sin. He knew he was unfit to die, and to the question, “What must I do to be saved?” he could find no answer. In those days Christ was not preached anywhere openly in all Europe, for the Romish clergy had full power. The Bible was a sealed Book, and the worship of Romish idols prevailed everywhere. Thus Peter Waldo knew not where to look for that peace which his soul longed for. But at last he succeeded in getting possession of some books, written by Christian men, who lived shortly after the apostles of Christ, and before the truth had been so shamefully corrupted, as it has since become, through the teachings of the Greek and Roman churches; and on reading these writings of “the early fathers,” as they are called, Peter Waldo found many passages from the Scriptures-especially the New Testament-which proved a blessing to his soul. “The entrance of Thy word giveth light; it giveth understanding to the simple,” and so Peter Waldo found it, “Peace, peace, deep as a river,” now filled his heart through faith in Christ, and from that time he resolved not only to possess a Bible for himself, but to make its blessed truths known to others.
Being a rich man, he succeeded at last in getting a manuscript copy of the Bible, but it was in Latin; because the Romish priests, wishing to keep God’s precious Word from the people, had taken care to shut it up in that language which few beside themselves could read. Indeed, very many of these priests were not even able to read it themselves. They learned and said the Latin prayers, but hardly knew even their meaning, for the chief part of their religion consisted in vain ceremonies, and in the worship of the Virgin Mary and other departed saints, as it still does in Roman Catholic countries. But Peter Waldo had learned the value of God’s Word, and, as I have said, he was resolved to make it known to others. All around him were ignorant of Christ; poor sinners were groaning under the burden of their sins, and the priests could point them to nothing better than idols, pictures, beads, and penances; so the Christian merchant went about among them, visited their cottages, told them of Christ, and commended the Gospel to them by relieving their poverty, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and doing good in every way he could think of. Then, as he gathered strength and boldness in the faith, he began to hold meetings in the cottages and to preach Christ publicly. That “the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, cleanseth us from all sin” was his constant theme, and well he knew the preciousness of that truth in his own experience, therefore he preached it constantly.
But he was not content with doing this; he wanted to give the whole Bible to the people, and that this might be done he set to work, and, with much labor and patience, succeeded at last, with the help of some able persons whom he employed in the work, in getting the Latin translated into the common language of the people of Lyons. This was the first translation of the whole Bible into a modern language; and, although there was no printing in those days, and every copy had to be made with the pen at much labor and cost, many had the opportunity of reading God’s blessed Word who, but for Peter Waldo, must have remained ignorant of it.
By the time that this great work was accomplished, many persons had been brought to Christ by Waldo’s preaching, and God now put it into his heart to seek to spread the Gospel beyond the neighborhood of Lyons. As I have said, he was a wealthy man, and as he knew he “was not his own, but bought with a price,” and that all he had was the Lord’s, he determined to devote his riches to the service of his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Faithful servants of Christ were soon found, many of them the fruit of his own labors, who were willing to go out with the Gospel, and to the need of these he ministered like the Apostle of old (Acts 20:3434Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. (Acts 20:34)), if not by the labor of his own hands, at least with that wealth which was the result of those labors in time past. These, going out two and two, went into all the region round about, and carried the Gospel even into other lands. They were called―perhaps in contempt” the poor men of Lyons”; but, if poor in this world’s goods, they were rich in faith and good works, and through their preaching multitudes were brought to the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Where they could not preach publicly, they would visit people in their own homes and quietly tell them about Jesus, and how He came into the world to save sinners; for their object was not to attract attention to themselves or to get them a name as great preachers, but to win souls by doing “the work of an evangelist.”
But you will ask what were the popish priests about all this time? Well, although the blessed work was carried on very quietly, and without any stir, these priests could not long remain ignorant of it, and the Archbishop of Lyons became very angry, “If you teach any more, I will have you taken up for a heretic, and burned alive,” said he to Peter Waldo. “How can I be silent in a matter which concerns the salvation of man,” asked Peter, boldly, and the archbishop sent officers to take him, but they feared the people, who loved him greatly for the good he did among them, and so for the time he escaped the malice of his popish adversaries. But he soon found it impossible to remain in his native city, and was obliged to flee, going from place to place, often in peril of his life, but always declaring the Gospel wherever he went. He and his fellow-laborers were persecuted from city to city; they were denounced as “sorcerers,” “cut-purses,” and “turlupins,” the last term meaning that they lived with wolves; and no doubt they often had to take refuge among the wild beasts of the forest. Like some of an older time, the poor men of Lyons “wandered in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth, being destitute, afflicted, tormented,” Many were put to death for the truth’s sake; but even when burning at the stake they praised the Lord for the privilege of laboring and suffering for Him who had died on the cross for them. That these cruelties should have been practiced by a church calling itself Christian shows what Romanism is, and should be a solemn warning to all against that “mother of harlots who sits upon the seven hills” (Rev. 17:99And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. (Revelation 17:9)). But all the rage of the adversary was unable to stamp out the truth of God, and in spite of Romish priests and popish power the truth prevailed in many places, and the foundation was laid of that Reformation which, some four hundred years afterwards, shook the world and the power of Rome, and set the Bible free for all.
But what became, you will ask, of Peter Waldo? Well, after laboring long and successfully in many places, he went into Bohemia, where, in the year 1179, he quietly fell asleep in Christ. If his enemies could have bad their own will, they would have wreaked their bitter vengeance upon him; but it pleased the Lord to preserve him from all the efforts they made to get him into their power, and he lived and died honored and beloved by those who loved the Lord.
Thus, you see, dear young reader, how wonderfully, even in the darkest times of Romish power, the Lord raised up witnesses for Himself. How thankful you ought to be that you live in times in which the blessed Bible is open to all, the truth of God is preached, and Romish malice is restrained! But remember, first, that this brings great responsibility, for “to whom much is given, of him much will be required.” You have opportunities that many thousands of children in those dark days never had, and you will be called upon to answer for the use you have made of them, unless you believe in Jesus, whose precious blood alone can put away your sin. Then, secondly, I must tell you, that those privileges and opportunities will not continue much longer.
Already you may see in many places that what are called mediaeval (that is, midnight) rites and ceremonies begin to prevail. Crosses, pictures, wax tapers, flowers, images, abound; strange vestments (a species of haberdashery borrowed through Rome from the worshippers of Buddha and Vishnu), are now worn by foolish men, who are conscious perhaps that but for these outlandish garments they would be found to be but very ordinary sinners. Convents are springing up all about the country, and to fill them, priests (so-called) “creep into houses, and lead captive silly women” (2 Tim. 3:66For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, (2 Timothy 3:6)), just as the Spirit foretold they would do in these last days. Numbers of young men and women now go regularly to “confession,” as it is called―that is to tell their sins to men, who proclaim to have power to forgive them.
How defiled the minds of these “priests” must become in listening to these things day after day, feeding on corruption, like some unclean bird. But then, you know, God has foretold that Babylon the great shall become a “cage of every unclean and hateful bird” (Rev. 18:22And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. (Revelation 18:2)). I know one town in Warwickshire where troops of young men and women may be seen going on certain days, and at stated hours, to “confession,” although they are not yet Roman Catholics!
Thus, you see, that all that against which Peter Waldo and his fellow-laborers struggled so man fully is rising up again before your eyes. Ought you not to take warning ere it is too late?
“Behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation.” Tomorrow the Lord may come, and then all who have rejected Christ will be shut up to the power and malice of “Babylon the great, the mother of harlots, and abomination of the earth.” May the Lord lead you to Himself as He led Peter Waldo and then the sooner He comes the happier you will be.