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Light Kindled in Switzerland
103
propitiation. These returned home to reveal to others the precious
light they had received. The truth was thus carried from town to
town, and the number of pilgrims to the Virgin’s shrine greatly less-
ened. There was a falling off in the offerings, and consequently in
the salary of Zwingli, which was drawn from them. But this caused
him only joy as he saw that the power of superstition was being
broken. The truth was gaining hold upon the hearts of the people.
Zwingli Called to Zurich
After three years Zwingli was called to preach in the cathedral at
Zurich, the most important town of the Swiss confederacy. The influ-
ence exerted here would be widely felt. The ecclesiastics proceeded
to instruct him as to his duties:
“You will make every exertion to collect the revenues of the
chapter without overlooking the least. ... You will be diligent in
increasing the income arising from the sick, from masses, and in
general from every ecclesiastical ordinance.” “As for the administra-
tion of the sacraments, the preaching, and the care of the flock, ...
you may employ a substitute, and particularly in preaching.
Zwingli listened in silence to this charge, and said in reply, “The
life of Christ has been too long hidden from the people. I shall
preach upon the whole of the Gospel of St. Matthew. ... It is to
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God’s glory, to the praise of His Son, to the real salvation of souls,
and to their edification in the true faith, that I shall consecrate my
ministry.”
The people flocked in great numbers to listen to his preaching.
He began his ministry by opening the Gospels and explaining the life,
teachings, and death of Christ. “It is to Christ,” he said, “that I desire
to lead you—to Christ, the true source of salvation.” Statesmen,
scholars, artisans, and peasants listened to his words. He 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.
6
Ibid., bk. 8, ch. 6.
7
Ibid., bk. 8, ch. 6.