llowed upon
Rome's supremacy, is written in heaven, but they have little place in
human records. Few traces of their existence can be found, except in the
accusations of their persecutors. It was the policy of Rome to obliterate
every trace of dissent from her doctrines or decrees. Everything
heretical, whether persons or writings, she sought to destroy. Expressions
of doubt, or questions as to the authority of papal dogmas, were enough to
forfeit the life of rich or poor, high or low. Rome endeavored also to
destroy every record of her cruelty toward dissenters. Papal councils
decreed that books and writings containing such records should 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 co-laborers, 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,