"In the schools whither they went, they were not to make confidants of any. Their garments were so prepared as to conceal their greatest treasure—the precious manuscripts of the Scriptures. These, the fruit of months and years of toil, they carried with them, and whenever they could do so without exciting suspicion, they cautiously placed some portion in the way of those whose hearts seemed open to receive the truth. From their mother's knee the Waldensian youth had been trained with this purpose in view; they understood their work and faithfully performed it. Converts to the true faith were won in these institutions of learning, and frequently its principles were found to be permeating the entire school; yet the papal leaders could not, by the closest inquiry, trace the so-called corrupting heresy to its source. GC 70.1"
"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves."
The EGW passage describes the Waldensian youth being sent out into potentially hostile environments to spread the scriptures, concealing their true purpose. This echoes the sentiment of Matthew 10:16, where Jesus sends his disciples out as sheep among wolves, advising them to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. Both passages highlight the need for caution and wisdom when spreading a message in a challenging environment.
to the Saviour. Such was the spirit of the Vaudois Christians. They felt that God required more of them than merely to preserve the truth in its purity in their own churches; that a solemn responsibility rested upon them to let their light shine forth to those who were in darkness; by the mighty power of God's word they sought to break the bondage which Rome had imposed. The Vaudois ministers were trained as missionaries, everyone who expected to enter the ministry being required first to gain an experience as an evangelist. Each was to serve three years in some mission field before taking charge of a church at home. This service, requiring at the outset self-denial and sacrifice, was a fitting introduction to the pastor's life in those times that tried men's souls. The youth who received ordination to the sacred office saw before them, not the prospect of earthly wealth and glory, but a life of toil and danger, and possibly a martyr's fate. The missionaries went out two and two, as Je…
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
The EGW passage describes the Vaudois Christians' commitment to spreading the truth, which directly reflects the principle in Matthew 5:16 to let your light shine before men. The EGW passage provides a historical example of living out this principle.
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
The EGW passage describes the Vaudois ministers being trained as missionaries and going out to spread the word, which aligns with the theme of Acts 1:8, where believers are called to be witnesses to the uttermost parts of the earth. Both passages emphasize the importance of spreading the gospel.