The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 101

“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 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 arrogance
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 expose
himself to certain death. The king and queen of Bohemia, the university,
members of the nobility, and officers of the government united in an
appeal to the pontiff that Huss be permitted to remain at Prague and to
answer at Rome by deputy. Instead of granting this request, the pope
proceeded to the trial and condemnation of Huss, and then declared the
city of Prague to be under interdict.

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