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The Great Controversy 1888
her influence also the reformer’s works were widely circulated in her
native country. These works Huss read with interest; he believed their
author to be a sincere Christian, and was inclined to regard with favor
the reforms which he advocated. Already, though he knew it not, Huss
had entered upon a path which was to lead him far away from Rome.
About this time there arrived in Prague two strangers from Eng-
land, men of learning, who had received the light, and had come to
spread it in this distant land. Beginning with an open attack on the
pope’s supremacy, they were soon silenced by the authorities; but
being unwilling to relinquish their purpose, they had recourse to other
measures. Being artists as well as preachers, they proceeded to exer-
cise their skill. In a place open to the public they drew two pictures.
One represented the entrance of Christ into Jerusalem, “meek, and
sitting upon an ass” [
Matthew 21:5
.] and followed by his disciples in
travel-worn garments and with naked feet. The other picture portrayed
[100]
a pontifical procession,—the pope arrayed in his rich robes and triple
crown, mounted upon a horse magnificently adorned, preceded by
trumpeters, and followed by cardinals and prelates in dazzling array.
Here was a sermon which arrested the attention of all classes.
Crowds came to gaze upon the drawings. None could fail to read the
moral, and many were deeply impressed by the contrast between the
meekness and humility of Christ the Master, and the pride and arro-
gance of the pope, his professed servant. There was great commotion
in Prague, and the strangers after a time found it necessary, for their
own safety, to depart. But the lesson they had taught was not forgotten.
The pictures made a deep impression on the mind of Huss, and led
him to a closer study of the Bible and of Wycliffe’s writings. Though
he was not prepared, even yet, to accept all the reforms advocated by
Wycliffe, he saw more clearly the true character of the papacy, and
with greater zeal denounced the pride, the ambition, and the corruption
of the hierarchy.
From Bohemia the light extended to Germany; for disturbances
in the University of Prague caused the withdrawal of hundreds of
German students. Many of them had received from Huss their first
knowledge of the Bible, and on their return they spread the gospel in
their fatherland.
Tidings of the work at Prague were carried to Rome, and Huss
was soon summoned to appear before the pope. To obey would be to