In Switzerland from 1516 to 1525 - James Aitken Wylie

the arena. One and then another was called on by
name, but all hung back. The images were in an
evil case; they could not speak for themselves, and
their advocates seemed as dumb as they. At length
one ventured to hint that "one should not take the
staff out of the hand of the weak Christian, on
which he leans, or one should give him another,
else he falls to the ground." "Had useless parsons
and bishops," replied Zwingli, "zealously preached
the Word of God, as has been inculcated upon
them, it were not come to this, that the poor
ignorant people, unacquainted with the Word, must
learn Christ only through paintings on the wall or
wooden figures." The debate, if such it could be
called, and the daylight were ending together. The
president, Hoffmeister of Schaffhausen, rose. "The
Almighty and Everlasting God be praised," said he,
"that He hath vouchsafed us the victory." Then
turning to the councillors of Zurich, he exhorted
them to remove the images from the churches, and
declared the sitting at an end. "Child's play," said
Zwingli, "this has been; now comes a weightier
and more important matter."
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