From time to time, teachers arose who pointed men to the Source of truth. Right principles were enunciated, and human lives witnessed to their power. But these efforts made no lasting impression. There was a brief check in the current of evil, but its downward course was not stayed. The reformers were as lights that shone in the darkness; but they could not dispel it. The world "loved darkness rather than light." John 3:19.

Fra tid til anden fremstod der lærere, som viste mennesker hen til sandhedens kilde. De rigtige principper blev forkyndt, og menneskers liv vidnede om deres kraft. Men disse bestræbelser gjorde ikke noget varigt indtryk. Der kom en kortvarig standsning af de onde tendenser, men den nedadgående retning ændredes ikke. Reformatorerne var som lys, der skinnede i mørket, men de kunne ikke sprede det. Verden elskede mørket mere end lyset.« Joh. 3,19.