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The Great Controversy 1888
Like John Luther, Zwingle’s father desired an education for his son,
and the boy was early sent from his native valley. His mind rapidly
developed, and it soon became a question where to find teachers
competent to instruct him. At the age of thirteen he went to Bern,
which then possessed the most distinguished school in Switzerland.
Here, however, a danger arose which threatened to blight the promise
of his life. Determined efforts were put forth by the friars to allure
him into a monastery. The Dominican and Franciscan monks were
in rivalry for popular favor. This they endeavored to secure by the
showy adornments of their churches, the pomp of their ceremonials,
and the attractions of famous relics and miracle-working images. The
Dominicans of Bern saw that if they could win this talented young
scholar, they would secure both gain and honor. His extreme youth,
his natural ability as a speaker and a writer, and his genius for music
and poetry, would be more effective than all their pomp and display,
in attracting the people to their services and increasing the revenues of
their order. By deceit and flattery they endeavored to induce Zwingle
to enter their convent. Luther while a student at school had buried
himself in a convent cell, and he would have been lost to the world
had not God’s providence released him. Zwingle was not permitted to
encounter the same peril. Providentially his father received information
of the designs of the friars. He had no intention of allowing his son to
follow the idle and worthless life of the monks. He saw that his future
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usefulness was at stake, and directed him to return home without delay.
The command was obeyed; but the youth could not be long content
in his native valley, and he soon resumed his studies, repairing, after
a time, to Basel. It was here that Zwingle first heard the gospel of
God’s free grace. Wittembach, a teacher of the ancient languages, had,
while studying Greek and Hebrew, been led to the Holy Scriptures,
and thus rays of divine light were shed into the minds of the students
under his instruction. He declared that there was a truth more ancient,
and of infinitely greater worth, than the theories taught by schoolmen
and philosophers. This ancient truth was that the death of Christ is the
sinner’s only ransom. To Zwingle these words were as the first ray of
light that precedes the dawn.
Zwingle was soon called from Basel, to enter upon his life-work.
His first field of labor was in an Alpine parish, not far distant from
his native valley. Having received ordination as a priest, “he devoted