New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-02-27
LECTURES.
John CaIvin-his Ideas, his Reform, and his
Influence GU Succeeding Ages
RrV TpuN LORD.

Influence on NoSS'
BY REV. JOHN LORD.
Mr. Lord gave on Monday evening the second
lecture of his course. His subject was John Cal
yin-the most unpopular and anattractlve, he
maintained. for popular audience in the whole
range Of historical dsquistion. Most people as
sociate with him all that was ascetc and repul'
sive, SO that even when disposition exists to do
him Justice, the inscru,able mysteries OF Predest
nation rise up before the mind, or Servtus appears
like pale specter TO snatch the crown OF honor
from his brow. 80
But Calvin can not be left out of picture Of the
Reformation nevertheless, since he is the author
of many Of those ideas and institutions which
powerfully affected society, in England, IN France,
IN Holland, and in America.
He is 10 be contemplated as Reformer, Leg
islator, Theoogisn and Christian.
In presenting him in the first light Mr.. Lord In
ntituted comparison between him and Luther,
not that he was inferior TO the German, but dis
similar, and raised up by Providence for different
purposes. He bad not Luther's versatility, nor
boldness, nor powerful passion, nor overpowerlng
eloquence nor ready sympathies, nor habits OF
relaxation but he had clearer head, more loS
ica mind greater definition OF knowledge,
profounder scholarship, and greater fond
ness fer analysis and system. With such
habits Of mind he did not make such bold
and vigorous attacks the corrupt institutions OF
che middle age, but he carried her reforms to
greater extent huther admitted such doc
erines and customs of the Church of Rome as he
could not prove TO be denied in the Bible. Cal
win rejected all he could not show to be in accor-
dance with IT, or reason, or the practice OF the
primitive Church. he insisted on rigorous sim
plcity, bordering on coldness, considering divine
worship az degraded by any appeals to the Senses,
AID viewed man as purely spiritual being. He
said but little IN praise OF music, and abomlnated
every thing which reminded him of Rome. AS a
reformer he was original chiefly in his views of
the Eucharist, regarding il neither as a mere life
like Zwlngle, nor believing In the actual presence
ofChrist IS Luther did, Respecting morals he was
very rigid, aiming at the utter extirpation Of vice.
and seeking 10 suppress II by penal seventies.
Legislation was extended to dress aud private
and social habits. He sup oppressed innocent amuse-
ments and abolished ques riOnable pleasures holt
days and festivities He compelled the people 10
attend Church. aud accommodated members for
tfning pecOlisritles and taulSs, while he punished
with the utmost severity any great departure from
morals He had no liberation for festivals or bois.
ferrous pleasures. He aimed to make all men
ACT as II 10 immediate contemplation Of the iudg.
nent day Still he advocated Theoretical liberty,
and sought to uRIte toe different churches by
Tranquil measures
Asa Legislator he takes q high rank flr both
genius and influence The idea Of a rheocrscy
was the basis Of his system. he maintsined that
tne germ Of il Law long concealed ia the Primitive
Church, aud was gradually unolded, though in
corrupt form, in the Romsn Hierarchy he wished
60 realize the grand ideal which the Middle Ages
sought but sought in van--that the Church must
always remain the mother Of spiritual principles,
Nnlle the State should continue 70 be the arm 0y
winch those principles shocld be enforced de
oehevod that all WORLDLY influence in the Church
was Satanic. But, while he gave to the Clergy
me exercise Of great spiritual DO Iers, be was
careful to separate theriunctions from that Of the
silnisters Of the State. lie maintained however
tbat both the Church aud State should be regala-
sed by the Commandments of God ~ho was the
bead ruler Of both II would institute anew
Lneocrscy, and recognize God az the ruler of all
tnines Ia earth as well as in Heaven-views
winch Cromwell and the Purtsns embraced and