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The Great Controversy 1888
Already an interest had been awakened in the truths he taught; and
the people flocked in great numbers to listen to his preaching. Many
who had long since ceased to attend service were among his hear-
ers. He began his ministry by opening the Gospels, and reading and
explaining to his hearers the inspired narrative of the life, teachings,
and death of Christ. Here, as at Einsiedeln, he presented the Word
of God as the only infallible authority, and the death of Christ as the
only complete sacrifice. “It is to Christ,” he said, “that I wish to guide
you,—to Christ, the true spring of salvation.” Around the preacher
crowded the people of all classes, from statesmen and scholars to the
artisan and the peasant. With deep interest they listened to his words.
He not only proclaimed the offer of a free salvation, but fearlessly
rebuked the evils and corruptions of the times. Many returned from
the cathedral praising God. “This man,” they said, “is a preacher of
the truth. He will be our Moses, to lead us forth from this Egyptian
darkness.”
But though at first his labors were received with great enthusiasm,
after a time opposition arose. The monks set themselves to hinder his
work and condemn his teachings. Many assailed him with gibes and
sneers; others resorted to insolence and threats. But Zwingle bore all
with patience, saying, “If we would win souls to Christ, we must learn
to shut our eyes against many things that meet us in our way.”
[178]
About this time a new agency came in to advance the work of
reform. One Lucian was sent to Zurich with some of Luther’s writings
by a friend of the reformed faith at Basel, who suggested that the
sale of these books might be a powerful means of scattering the light.
“Ascertain,” he wrote to Zwingle, “whether this Lucian possesses a
sufficient share of discretion and address; if it shall appear that he does,
let him go from city to city, from town to town, from village to village,
nay, from house to house, all over Switzerland, carrying with him the
writings of Luther, and especially the exposition of the Lord’s prayer
written for the laity. The more it is known, the more purchasers will it
find.” Thus the light found entrance.
At the time when God is preparing to break the shackles of ig-
norance and superstition, then it is that Satan works with greatest
power to enshroud men in darkness, and to bind their fetters still
more firmly. As men were rising up in different lands to present to
the people forgiveness and justification through the blood of Christ,