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In Switzerland from 1516 to 1525 - James Aitken Wylie

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even <strong>to</strong> admit the thought of him in<strong>to</strong> his mind. The<br />

lords of Lucerne set no narrow limits <strong>to</strong> their<br />

jurisdiction. The gentle spirit of the schoolmaster<br />

was ill-fitted <strong>to</strong> buffet the tempests that assailed<br />

him on every side. He had offered the Gospel <strong>to</strong> the<br />

citizens of Lucerne, and although a few had<br />

accepted it, and loved him for its sake, the great<br />

majority had thrust it <strong>from</strong> them. There were other<br />

cities and can<strong>to</strong>ns that, he knew, would gladly<br />

welcome the truth which Lucerne had rejected. He<br />

resolved, therefore, <strong>to</strong> shake off the dust <strong>from</strong> his<br />

feet as a witness against it, and depart. Before he<br />

had carried his resolution in<strong>to</strong> effect, the council<br />

furnished him with but <strong>to</strong>o good evidence that the<br />

course he had resolved upon was the path of duty.<br />

He was suddenly stripped of his office, and<br />

banished <strong>from</strong> the can<strong>to</strong>n. He quitted the ungrateful<br />

city, where his cradle had been placed, and in 1522<br />

he returned <strong>to</strong> Zwingli at Zurich. Lucerne failed <strong>to</strong><br />

verify the augury of its name, and the light that<br />

departed with its noblest son has never since<br />

returned.<br />

Bern knew <strong>to</strong> choose the better part which<br />

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