One gay evening in Lyons, France, long ago, when a wealthy merchant-prince was entertaining friends at dinner, one of the party suddenly fell to the floor, dead.
The rich merchant was Peter Waldo, the founder of the Waldenses, or Vaudios. At the time, he was living in the full enjoyment of his immense wealth, with never a care or a thought concerning his immortal soul.
But after the death at the dinner table things were never the same again. The shock was so great that he immediately abandoned all other interests in order that he might attend exclusively to the salvation of his soul.
In those dark days there were no gospel meetings to which he might report. He knew of no one who could show him the way of salvation. The church men themselves were densely ignorant and in the dark.
Happily, while groping for light, his attention was turned to the Bible, and to it he applied himself diligently to learn the way of life and peace. He read for himself in the Latin Vulgate God's way of salvation and remedy for sin.
He also employed gifted men to translate the gospels and other portions of the Scriptures into the language of the people, so that all might read for themselves "the wonderful works of God."
In this happy employment he learned to understand clearly the simple gospel of God, and found lasting peace for his soul.
Strong proof of the new life within him soon became evident. He gave freely of his wealth to the poor. Furthermore, he gathered around him a company of "born again" men like himself, and together they worked zealously spreading the gospel among the neglected multitudes all around. For this purpose Waldo had multiplied copies of the Scriptures in the Roman languages without the benefit of the printing press, which had not yet been invented. These copies, which began with the Gospels, soon included the whole Bible.
But opposition and persecution were soon aroused. Waldo was driven from Lyons. The scattered flock, however, "went everywhere preaching the Word," as the persecuted Christians at Jerusalem had done years before. Many of the Waldenses took refuge in the valleys of Piedmont, taking with them their precious new translation of the Bible.
Peter Waldo himself, after many wanderings and carrying the glad news of salvation wherever he went, finally settled in Bohemia. It was here that two hundred years later as many as eighty thousand persons are said to have been "slain for the Word of God, and for the testimony which they held." (Rev. 6:99And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: (Revelation 6:9).)
Such are some of the highlights in the history of Peter Waldo, a man called of God from the class of the rich and learned. Awakened in the midst of a scene of pleasure and festivity by the sudden death of a companion, this merchant-prince of Lyons was brought face to face with the uncertainty in which his own life hung and his utter unpreparedness for death.
When awakened to his danger and lost condition, Waldo inquired at the fountain-head of truth: "What must I do to be saved?"
Reader, don't let this man, living in the "Dark Ages," rise up in the judgment to condemn you. You have advantages and privileges which he did not. Beware, lest when these souls saved in the bygone ages of medieval darkness, sit down in the Kingdom of God, you find yourself "Thrust out." Luke 13:2828There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. (Luke 13:28).
Are you still among the lost? Why is this? Perhaps you say you cannot tell. Let me then point out to you the reason in the words of the Holy Ghost: "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost; in whom the god of this world [Satan] hath blinded the minds of them which believe not lest the light of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." 2 Cor. 4:3, 43But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (2 Corinthians 4:3‑4).
Yes, the devil brings in things of time and sense to block out of your vision what is eternal and divine. Birds are wiser than men. Of them Scripture says, "Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird." But Satan sets his net for careless sinners, and they walk in to their eternal ruin. Reader, be wise in time!