The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1825-11-17
rHE BURNING OF JOHN HUss.

which marked the early part OF
the 18th century work OF considerable
value and interest-there are some impress
siye descriptions of the celebrated Christian
Reformer, John Huss. The account ct his
martyrdom cannot fail ts arouse deep atten-
tion. The age of persecution by fire ano
fappot is passed, but here is an instance OK
its destructive sweeping, heartless severity,
while it lasted The following extracts -
from the work, descriptive OF the burnngof
John Huss, we think it Impossible for any
one to read without the most painful emo
tions:
cThe procession moved on. Huss, ABB
sorbcd in pious medtations, was only awake
to ioyful hope; and the momentary weak
ness which had come over him in the church
had given place to the most calm and set
tied fortitude. Arriving at the gate OF the
Episcopal palace, he saw pile OF wood, and
believed that he was already at the place OF
execution. He was soon undeceived; Tor.
the wood being fired, he sa" his writings
brought forward, and successlvely thrown
into the flames. "A smile played on his tea-
tures, which he tried, but in vain, to smotn-
er while he witnessed this vain experiment.;
and turning to the crowd with the utmost
composure, he declared that his writings
were consumed, not for the errors which
they contained, but to crafty the ignobie
rage of his adversaries.
The sun shone bright, but a shower OF
rain had fallen, and in the circle OF WHICH
fIuss was admitted to view the destruc-
ton of his books. he saw a large earthworm
in his path. He STEPPED little aside to a
void treading on it. One of his guards, who
observed this, placed his foot on the reptile
with an air of bravado
Il would call the worm my brother, said
wa hrnt n
misfortune; for we perish by the same cru
city,
.He now approached large area, which
had been cleared from the crowd, who still
aixiouslv pressed forward wherever the
vigilance of the guards was relaxed. 1t was
opp osite the gate of Gottlebian, and between
the gates and gardens of the suburbs. In
the centre he saw an accumulation OF faggots,
amidst which strong post was erected
Several men were employed IN carrying
more wood in the open space, and four
large bundles of straw were placed beside
the faggots. A man of ferocious aspect
stood near the post about which the faggots
were piled. He was engaged IN disentangi-
ling the coils OF rope, which had been re-
Gently immersed in water, and two or three
chains were laid across bench, with an
: appearance of careful arrangement Huss
had no difficulty in recognizing in this man
. his exccutioner-and in the place to which
he had now been conducted, the spot on
which he was to die.
Though the unfortunate Huss was sur.
. rounded by such beings, who had wrought
themselves up to suppose that the torture
, and death of virtuous man wouid De an ac-
: ceptable spectacle to God OF mercy, there
were many among she crowd, whose piety
fell short of that zeal which could contem-
' 49, 4aI rr,fr WlthDuf
derng with horror. These now made their
voices heard, remarking, that IN whatever
= way the suffer- er had before offended, he
praved most devoutedly. and some wished
he might be indulged with confessor But
, priest who had been present at the coun-
- eli and was now riding within the circle,
i called out on perceiving the impression
= which the martyrs words had made, that
. being convicted hereto, those entrusted
with the punishment of his offences ought
not to suffer him to be heard. At the same
: time, he declared that no confessor could be
; allowed to approach one so accursed-Cut
:, off from and already dead, to the church.
The executioner then took from his per-
son white coat in honor of his anticipa-
. ted deIiverance. frock, prepared with
:, mitch and tar, was brought to him, and wear
. Lnp this. he was conducted to the stake:-
His hands were bound and two faggots,
:, with straw intermixed, we're placed beneath
- ;, his feet A wet rope was put round him,
J. and this W as tied to the stake, when par
tial murmur ran through those who had
: been admitted within the guarded space.
= Huss started. An idea crossed his mind
q that possibly Sigismund had relented; but
: this was Immediately dismissed, when the
priest who had before spoken to reprove the
g cries of the crowd, advanced to give ez-
y preston to the feeling which had just mani
- tested itself.
- ~ sHuss was first tied round the middle with
:. cords. A chain was passed over these, and
~ chains were fastened to his LETT leg and his
- neck. Thus securely bound to the stake.
the faggots provided for the occasion, were
u piled to the chin; straw was placed beneath
~ and between them, where it Was thought
II likely most effcctually to contribute to the
70 6erceness of the blaze.
! "A moment of awful expectation followed
-, The executioner approached with lighted
!, torch. when the Duke of Bavaria rode up tc
~ - Huss. and loudly called to him demanding
re that he should now renounce his errors; a
~ the same time reminding him that in few
" y, moments it would be out of his power to ds
st so.
C. Il thought the danger already past; he re
!.