As the light and life of men was rejected by the ecclesiastical authorities in the days of Christ, so it has been rejected in every succeeding generation. Again and again the history of Christ's withdrawal from Judea has been repeated. When the Reformers preached the word of God, they had no thought of separating themselves from the established church; but the religious leaders would not tolerate the light, and those that bore it were forced to seek another class, who were longing for the truth. In our day few of the professed followers of the Reformers are actuated by their spirit. Few are listening for the voice of God, and ready to accept truth in whatever guise it may be presented. Often those who follow in the steps of the Reformers are forced to turn away from the churches they love, in order to declare the plain teaching of the word of God. And many times those who are seeking for light are by the same teaching obliged to leave the church of their fathers, that they may render obedience.

Ligesom menneskenes lys og liv blev forkastet af de gejstlige myndigheder på Kristi tid, således er det blevet forkastet i ethvert følgende slægtled. Atter og atter har historien om Kristus, der trak sig tilbage fra Judæa, gentaget sig. Dengang reformatorerne prædikede Guds ord, havde det slet ikke været deres hensigt at udskille sig fra kirken; men de gejstlige ledere ville ikke finde sig i lyset, og de, som bragte det, blev nødt til at opsøge en anden slags mennesker, der længtes efter sandheden. I vore dage er der kun få af dem, der hævder at være reformatorernes efterfølgere, der drives af deres ånd. Kun få lytter til Guds røst og er rede til at tage imod sandheden, i hvilken skikkelse den end viser sig. Ofte bliver de, som følger i reformatorernes fodspor, nødsaget til at de sig bort fra de menigheder, de elsker, for at kunne forkynde Guds ords rene lære. Og mange gange bliver de, som søger lyset, på grund af den samme lære nødt til at forlade deres fædres kirke, hvis de vil vise lydighed.