ld be as firm as
the unchanging hills.

The mountains that girded their lowly valleys were a constant witness to
God's creative power, and a never-failing assurance of His protecting
care. Those pilgrims learned to love the silent symbols of Jehovah's
presence. They indulged no repining because of the hardships of their lot;
they were never lonely amid the mountain solitudes. They thanked God that
He had provided for them an asylum from the wrath and cruelty of men. They
rejoiced in their freedom to worship before Him. Often when pursued by
their enemies, the strength of the hills proved a sure defense. From many
a lofty cliff they chanted the praise of God, and the armies of Rome could
not silence their songs of thanksgiving.

Pure, simple, and fervent was the piety of these followers of Christ. The
principles of truth they valued above houses and lands, friends, kindred,
even life itself. These principles they earnestly sought to impress upon
the hearts of the young. From earliest childhood the youth were instructed
in the Scriptures, and taught to regard sacredly the claims of the law of
God. Copies of the Bible were rare; therefore its precious words were
committed to memory. Many were able to repeat large portions of both the
Old and the New Testament. Thoughts of God were associated alike with the
sublime scenery of nature and with the humble blessings of daily life.
Little children learned to look with gratitude to God as the giver of
every favor and every comfort.

Parents, tender and affectionate as they were, loved their children too
wisely to accustom them to self-indulgence. Before them was a life of
trial and hardship, perhaps a martyr's death. They were educated from
childhood to endure hardness, to submit to control, and yet to think and
act for themselves. Very early they were taught to bear responsibilities,
to be guarded in speech, and to understand the wisdom of silence. One
indiscreet word let fall in the hearing of their enemies, might imperil
not only the life of the speaker, but the lives of hundreds of his
brethren; for as wolves hunting their prey did the enemies of truth pursue
those who dared to claim freedom of religious faith.

The Waldenses had sacrificed their worldly prosperity for the truth's
sake, and with persevering patience they toiled for their bread. Every
spot of tillable land among the mountains was carefully improved; the
valleys and the less fertile hillsides were made to yi