of the following day, and hundreds were burned to death in their
huts.

Was this to be the end of Hus's strivings? What was it in Hus that
was destined to survive? What was it that worked like a silent
leaven amid the clamours of war? We shall see. Amid these charred
and smoking ruins the Moravian Church arose.




CHAPTER IV.

PETER OF CHELCIC, 1419-1450.

Meanwhile a mighty prophet had arisen, with a clear and startling
message. His name was Peter, and he lived down south, in the little
village of Chelcic.3 As the historian rummages among the ancient
records, he discovers to his sorrow that scarcely anything is known
of the life of this great man; but, on the other hand, it is a joy
to know that while his story is wrapped in mystery, his teaching has
been preserved, and that some of the wonderful books he wrote are
treasured still in his native land as gems of Bohemian literature.
In later years it was commonly said that he began life as a
cobbler; but that story, at least, may be dismissed as a legend. He
enlisted, we are told, in the army. He then discovered that a
soldier's life was wicked; he then thought of entering a monastery,
but was shocked by what he heard of the immoralities committed
within the holy walls; and finally, having some means of his own,
retired to his little estate at Chelcic, and spent his time in