p. 186 | The Missionary by Stephen Nelson Haskell

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 19, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 12.

The Missionary.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

A Sketch of the Life and Times of John Huss.

LEADING men in all religious reforms have been men schooled in poverty and affliction. Christ, the chief corner-stone of Christian faith, was born in a manger, and his parents were extremely poor. His entire life was one of privation and sorrow. 'For it became him for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.' Self-denial is the first step toward usefulness in the cause of Christ. The principle involved in it is important and bears the divine sanction. God has always chosen men possessing it to fill important positions in his work. Luther, Knox, Huss and many other reformers are striking examples of this fact.

John Huss was born in a country village; his parents were plain, simple peasants, devoid of fortune or rank. His life was simple, confined almost entirely to Bohemia, with few adventures before the last, which gave him a martyr's crown. History furnishes but few incidents concerning his childhood and youth; but, judging of his early training by his after life, his childhood must have been characterized by affection, mingled with a severe purity of morals. No charge of immorality was ever brought against him by friend or foe. Even during his youth, we may reasonably suppose that his noble simplicity and unimpeached purity of life were reflected from the simple manners and the quiet virtues of his childhood home, which must have been the abode of peace, gentleness, and love.

His father died when he was a child, and his mother was too poor to even provide him necessary clothing. A certain nobleman, Nicholas of Hussinitz, rendered material aid in securing for him a liberal education. While attending school, the monks, who were his teachers, and other friends became interested in him because of his quiet manners and quick intelligence. After having passed through the school at the monastery and also through one of a higher grade, he returned home to his widowed mother. 'What shall we do now, my son?' she asked. 'I am going to Prague,' was his reply. 'Let us not be troubled on account of our poverty; God will care for us there.'

It is said that when he went to the University at Prague his mother accompanied him, taking with her, from her humble store, a goose (huss, in Bohemian) and cake, as a present to the rector. The goose flew away while on the journey, and she could not recover it. This the poor woman interpreted as an ill omen concerning the future of her son, but her simple piety taught her to trust God, and she at once fell upon her knees, recommending him to God, and afterward proceeded on her journey.

At the university Huss was employed by one of the professors, and in return for his services, received food and clothing. In this manner he worked his way through the university. A Jesuit once wrote of him as follows: 'More acute than eloquent, his affability of manner, his life of austerity and self-denial, against which none could bring a charge, his features pale and melancholy, his body enfeebled, and his gentleness toward all, even of the humblest class, were more effective than any power of words.' 'Meanly born, but of no mean spirit' is the testimony of one of his opponents. In 1393 he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and Master of Arts in 1396. He became the priest and preacher of the Bethlehem church in 1400, and Dean of Theology in 1401.

God's providence had prepared the way for the Reformation in Bohemia just previous to this time. The University of Prague, at which Huss, Jerome, and others received a superior education, was in its most flourishing condition, having been established a short time before, by Charles IV., emperor of Germany. This emperor did much to promote the prosperity of Bohemia, but Prague, where he resided, was the special object of his favor. He was a great lover of learning, and his interest in the university was almost unbounded. It was his custom to visit it, in his royal robes, and for hours listen to the examinations and disputations of the students. When his courtiers became hungry he would say to them, 'Go get your supper—my food is here.'

This gave an inspiration to learning and to the university which could have been secured by no other means. Thousands flocked to this place of learning from all parts of the empire, and what seems fabulous, numbers are said to have been in attendance there at one time. This university, the Oxford University, and one in Paris, were then the most prominent in the world. Four nations, Bohemia, Saxony, Bavaria, and Poland, each took a special interest in the university at Prague, and over two thousand students are said to have attended it from the German nation alone. As intelligence and learning became prominent, the industries of the country were also developed. The manufacture of the beautiful Bohemian glass was founded at this time. In 1376 the emperor died; but his influence still survived, and the university flourished. Prague was his favorite residence, and his palace contained four hundred apartments. The marriage of his daughter, Anne of Luxembourg, to Richard II., of England, brought the people of the two countries in close sympathy during the movement in England caused by Wycliffe and his writings.

S. N. HASKELL.