At this time the systems of heathenism were losing their hold upon the people. Men were weary of pageant and fable. They longed for a religion that could satisfy the heart. While the light of truth seemed to have departed from among men, there were souls who were looking for light, and who were filled with perplexity and sorrow. They were thirsting for a knowledge of the living God, for some assurance of a life beyond the grave.

På dette tidspunkt var de hedenske religionssystemer ved at miste deres greb om folket. Mange var trætte af tom pragt og opdigtede historier. De længtes efter en gudsdyrkelse, som kunne tilfredsstille sjælen. Skønt sandhedens lys syntes at være veget fra menneskene, var der dog sjæle, der søgte efter lyset, og som var fulde af forvirring og sorg. De hungrede efter viden om den levende Gud, efter en forvisning om et liv hinsides graven.