The Spirit of Prophecy in the Advent Movement

A Message From The Waldensian Valleys

Sometimes the place from which a message comes adds significance to it. For instance, there is the closing section of Volume V, of the “Testimonies.” It is entitled, “God’s Care for His Work.” When that writing came out in 1889, it seemed to me the finest prose in our language on that theme. It is a wonderful piece of writing. And only recently I learned from what place some of these paragraphs first came to us. Going over the old file of the Review and Herald for 1887, looking for some other item, I saw that the basis of this section, “God’s Care for His Work,” was an article sent from the old Waldensian valleys of the Italian Alps. Mrs. White was down in Torre Pellice in 1886, amid scenes hallowed by memories of the 1260-year period of papal persecutions, when the Waldenses and others found refuge from the wrath of the dragon in the mountain fastnesses. From Torre Pellice it was that Mrs. White sent an article to the Review (January 11, 1887), reviving in our hearts a trust in God for such times of trial and persecution. In paragraphs that blaze like beacons from old Waldensian campfires in the Alpine mountains, we are exhorted: SPIAM 51.1

“We are standing on the threshold of great and solemn events. Prophecy is fast fulfilling. The Lord is at the door. There is soon to open before us a period of overwhelming interest to all living.... SPIAM 51.2

“But God’s servants are not to trust to themselves in this great emergency. In the visions given to Isaiah, to Ezekiel, and to John, we see how closely heaven is connected with the events taking place upon the earth, and how great is the care of God for those who are loyal to Him. The world is not without a ruler. The program of coming events is in the hands of the Lord. The Majesty of heaven has the destiny of nations, as well as the concerns of His church, in His own charge.... SPIAM 51.3

“Brethren, it is no time now for mourning and despair, no time to yield to doubt and unbelief. Christ is not now a Saviour in Joseph’s new tomb, closed with a great stone, and sealed with the Roman seal; we have a risen Saviour He is the King, the Lord of hosts; He sitteth between the cherubim; and amid the strife and tumult of nations, He guards His people still. He who ruleth in the heavens is our Saviour. He measures every trial. He watches the furnace fire that must test every soul. When the strongholds of kings shall be overthrown, when the arrows of God’s wrath shall strike through the hearts of His enemies, His people will be safe in His hands.”—The Review and Herald, January 11, 1887; and “Testimonies,” Vol. V, pp. 753, 754. SPIAM 52.1

One would go far to find a finer piece of modern writing than these paragraphs of trust from out the Waldensian valleys. From lands far and near, from stopping places where the unsettled conditions and upset of travel would ordinarily forbid thoughtful writing, this pen continued the flow of inspiring comment and counsel for seventy years. SPIAM 52.2