Signs of the Times, Book 1 - Ellen G. White

hundreds of years the Waldenses worshiped God amid the mountain
solitudes, and there defied the armies of kings and emperors. On their rocky
heights, in sight of their enemies, they sang the praise of Him who made the
hills; and no opposing power could silence their hymns of lofty cheer:
"For the strength of the hills we bless thee, Our God, our fathers' God!
Thou hast made thy children mighty By the touch of the mountain sod.
"Thou hast fixed our ark of refuge Where the spoiler's foot ne'er trod;
For the strength of the hills we bless thee, Our God, our fathers' God!"
Among the blessings of the lot of Ephraim and Manasseh, Moses
enumerated "the chief things of the ancient mountains, and the precious
things of the lasting hills." In his last prophetic words to the tribes of Israel,
he dwelt with peculiar earnestness upon the precious things of the hills.
While the chosen people were wandering in the desert, he encouraged them
by describing their promised inheritance as a land of hills and valleys; a land
that drinketh water of the rain of heaven; a land upon which the eyes of the
Lord rest for good throughout the year. To those who have lived in a level
country, there is something peculiarly inspiring in the sight of the mountains.
And all who have dwelt amid their wild and romantic scenery must ever long
for the high places of the earth. I have never enjoyed the privilege of gazing
upon the hills of Palestine, but I can look upon the mountains of our own
land, and behold the wisdom and love of the Creator.
As I stood among the hills, I thought how centuries ago our Saviour
came to the groves and mountains to worship God. The most costly and
beautiful structure which man can devise is not to be compared with the
solemn grandeur of these mountain sanctuaries. To such retreats Jesus often
led his disciples. With the beautiful scenes of nature, he associated lessons of
divine truth. Afar from the bustle and strife of the haunts of men, he strove to
turn the hearts of rich and poor from the perishable treasures of earth to the
1147