Huss and Jerome
81
Luther’s time was yet far distant; but already one was rising, whose
testimony against Rome would stir the nations.
John Huss was of humble birth, and was early left an orphan by
the death of his father. His pious mother, regarding education and the
fear of God as the most valuable of possessions, sought to secure this
heritage for her son. Huss studied at the provincial school, and then
repaired to the university at Prague, receiving admission as a charity
scholar. He was accompanied on the journey to Prague by his mother;
widowed and poor, she had no gifts of worldly wealth to bestow upon
her son, but as they drew near to the great city, she kneeled down
beside the fatherless youth and invoked for him the blessing of their
Father in heaven. Little did that mother realize how her prayer was to
be answered.
At the university, Huss soon distinguished himself by his untiring
application and rapid progress, while his blameless life and gentle,
winning deportment gained him universal esteem. He was a sincere
adherent of the Roman Church and an earnest seeker for the spiritual
blessings which it professes to bestow. On the occasion of a jubilee
he went to confession, paid the last few coins in his scanty store,
and joined in the processions, that he might share in the absolution
promised. After completing his college course, he entered the priest-
hood, and rapidly attaining to eminence, he soon became attached to
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the court of the king. He was also made professor and afterward rector
of the university where he had received his education. In a few years
the humble charity scholar had become the pride of his country, and
his name was renowned throughout Europe.
But it was in another field that Huss began the work of reform.
Several years after taking priest’s orders he was appointed preacher of
the chapel of Bethlehem. The founder of this chapel had advocated,
as a matter of great importance, the preaching of the Scriptures in the
language of the people. Notwithstanding Rome’s opposition to this
practice, it had not been wholly discontinued in Bohemia. But there
was great ignorance of the Bible, and the worst vices prevailed among
the people of all ranks. These evils Huss unsparingly denounced,
appealing to the word of God to enforce the principles of truth and
purity which he inculcated.
A citizen of Prague, Jerome, who afterward became so closely
associated with Huss, had, on returning from England, brought with