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THE BOOK THAT ENDURES

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Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jul 21, 1914

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 41, No. 28.

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THE BOOK THAT ENDURES

By W. A. S.

THERE was a pretty little service in connection with the dedication of the new Waldensian church in Rome, built by a Mrs. Kennedy, of New York, as a memorial to her husband. Centuries ago the Waldensians were keeping the light of the living Word glowing in the recesses of the Alpine valleys, with Rome warring against them. Now the modern representatives of the old Waldensian churches have a meeting place in Rome itself. The report of the recent dedication says that as an introduction to the service, the pastor ascended the pulpit, with the great pulpit Bible in his hands, saying:
“In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we place on this pulpit the Book of truth. May it never be removed thence! Revelation of the thought and will of God, may it ever be guide and counselor of the masters of truth who from this place announce to the people the science of this life and of that which is to come! In the words of Paul, ‘All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be . . . thoroughly furnished unto all good works.’”
There are, of course, many agencies proclaiming the word of the Lord in Rome in our time, for the power of the papacy is broken in its ancient seat. But this open Book on the pulpit of the ancient Waldensian church, with its history running back into the days when believers in the Book were pursued among the mountains by flame and sword, may well stand as a token of the fulfilment of God’s promise that His word should not be taken away from the children of men, according to the scripture in Peter’s first epistle: “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever. . . . And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” Chapter 1:23, 25. W. A. S.