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Truth Triumphant - Benjamin G. Wilkinson

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greatly impressed the historian Bede who makes<br />

special mention of Derry.[12]<br />

During the seven years following the<br />

establishment of Derry, Columba founded many<br />

churches and Biblical institutes. He is credited with<br />

bringing into existence during this period more<br />

than three hundred churches. About one-third of<br />

these were the so-called “monasteries,” or church<br />

schools. Happy in his activity for God, he was<br />

constantly traveling. The sick and the infirm<br />

blessed his name, while the poor always felt that in<br />

him they had a friend. Tall of stature, he had a<br />

powerful voice which could be beard at a great<br />

distance. No journey was too great, and no labor<br />

too arduous for him to undertake while serving the<br />

needs of the people. In Ireland, where the<br />

chieftains were constantly waging war against one<br />

another, Columba commanded respect enough to<br />

travel in safety. He was devoted to the study of the<br />

Scriptures. His biographer mentions that he spent<br />

much time in writing, that is, in transcribing<br />

portions of the Bible. He is credited with having<br />

copied three hundred New Testaments with his<br />

225

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