In Switzerland from 1516 to 1525 - James Aitken Wylie

Chapter 15
Establishment of
Protestantism in Zurich
AT last the hour arrived to carry out the greater
reforms. On the 20th of June, 1524, a procession
composed of twelve councillors, the three city
pastors, the city architect, smiths, lock-smiths,
joiners, and masons might have been seen
traversing the streets of Zurich, and visiting its
several churches. On entering, they locked the door
from the inside, took down the crosses, removed
the images, defaced the frescoes, and re-stained the
walls.
"The reformed," says Bullinger, "were glad,
accounting this proceeding an act of worship done
to the true God." But the superstitious, the same
chronicler tells us, witnessed the act with tears,
deeming it a fearful impiety. "Some of these
people," says Christoffel, "hoped that the images
would of their own accord return to their vacant
208