The Singing Troubadour
Read a PDF of an actual
Waldensian Scripture-Lesson from 1100 AD. translated into English!
"Nobla
Lecon"
During the Dark Ages, to preach or teach the Bible openly
meant certain death. But the True Bible believing Christians of those times
tried to find ways to bring the True Gospel to the people. One way some
Missionaries did it was to live as wandering Minstrels or Troubadours. They
could often sing the Gospel message and even verses and chapters of the Bible
to the people as folk songs. In those days when there was no Radio of recorded
music, minstrels were welcomed in many places.
The Nobla Lecon
If no spiritual movement among men is great unless it has produced a
glorious literature, then the message of the Waldenses can be called great.
Among other products remaining from the writings of this martyred and
wonderful people mention should be made of the Nobla Lecon (Noble
Lesson) written in the Romaunt tongue, the common language of the south of
Europe from the eighth to the fourteenth century. Its opening words claim that
the date of the composition was 1100. On it the people to whom the treatise
belongs is definitely called the Vaudois, and this is nearly a century before
Peter Waldo. Much study has been made to determine whether the statement
regarding 1100 is from the author or authors of the Nobla Lecon, or is
from another hand. There has also been considerable thought given to the
commencement of the 1100 years.
The Nobla Lecon begins, "Hear, oh brothers, a Noble Lesson." Then
there appears before the reader a sublime presentation of the origin and the
story of the plan of redemption. The Nobla Lecon stands for the eternal
moral obligation of the Ten Commandments, and in that light it presents the
great expiation on the cross. One is led along step by step in considering
what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon man in such divine provisions
for his ransom from the fall. Its soft and glowing terms stir the soul. No one
can read the chapter by Peter Allix in which he analyzes and presents the
message of the Nobla Lecon without feeling that a great contribution
has been made to the world's literature.
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