Our Illustrations: A Chained Bible and Forbidden Book
By Editor
Our Illustrations.—Our first-page cut, “A Chained Bible,” shows what was at one time seen in the cathedrals of England, and of Europe. It was from a chained Bible that the rays of Gospel truth entered Luther’s tradition-darkened heart. Though the Bible was chained, the living word of God was not bound. Our second illustration, “Waldensian Missionaries,” speaks for itself. The third large cut, “The Forbidden Book,” is a good illustration of what it once was to read God’s word. While with gladness of soul they read in secret the word of God, yet it was with trembling of heart that they did this. They did not know but that at any moment the enemies of God and his truth might pounce upon them, destroy their cherished treasure, and in all probability punish them. Then God’s word was prized. Now the Bible may be found everywhere, so that all may read it, with none to molest or make afraid. But is it now prized as it was then?