Schaff - History of the Christian Church Vol. 8 - Media Sabda Org

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Thus forsaken by the highest ecclesiastical and civil authorities, the canton
of Zurich acted on its own responsibility, and carried out the contemplated
reforms.
The three disputations mark an advance beyond the usual academic
disputations in the Latin language. They were held before laymen as well as
clergymen, and in the vernacular. They brought religious questions before
the tribunal of the people according to the genius of republican institutions.
They had, therefore, more practical effect than the disputation at Leipzig.
The German Reformation was decided by the will of the princes; the Swiss
Reformation, by the will of the people: but in both cases there was a
sympathy between the rulers and the majority of the population.
§ 19. THE ABOLITION OF THE ROMAN WORSHIP. 1524.
BULLINGER, I. 173 sqq. FÜSSLI, I. 142 sqq. EGLI, 234 sqq.
By these preparatory measures, public opinion was prepared for the
practical application of the new ideas. The old order of worship had to be
abolished before the new order could be introduced. The destruction was
radical, but orderly. It was effected by the co-operation of the preachers
and the civil magistracy, with the consent of the people. It began at
Pentecost, and was completed June 20, 1524.
In the presence of a deputation from the authorities of Church and State,
accompanied by architects, masons and carpenters, the churches of the city
were purged of pictures, relics, crucifixes, altars, candles, and all
ornaments, the frescoes effaced, and the walls whitewashed, so that
nothing remained but the bare building to be filled by a worshiping
congregation. The pictures were broken and burnt, some given to those
who had a claim, a few preserved as antiquities. The bones of the saints
were buried. Even the organs were removed, and the Latin singing of the
choir abolished, but fortunately afterwards replaced by congregational
singing of psalms and hymns in the vernacular (in Basle as early as 1526, in
St. Gall 1527, in Zurich in 1598). “Within thirteen days,” says Bullinger,
“all the churches of the city were cleared; costly works of painting and
sculpture, especially a beautiful table in the Waterchurch, were destroyed.
The superstitious lamented; but the true believers rejoiced in it as a great
and joyous worship of God.” f103