New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-11-20
D,AUBIGNE's REFORMATION.

HISTORY OF THE REFORMATION IL EUROPE IN
THE TIME OF CALVIN. BY J. H. MERLE D, Az
HONE, ID. ID. Vol. ", l2mo, PIP 40 ROBERT carter ~
Brothers.
citizen of Geneva, and not of the world, DR..
Merle Aublgn6 has given us ahistory Of the pohti
cal and religious revolutions of his native State,
adding TO it an account of cOtemporaneous events in
France England, and other countries. The affairs
of Geneva occupy about half of each of his volumes,
and this is the only portion Of his subject on which
he has much to tell that will be new to wenformed
readers His merits do not lie in deep critical re-
search, or in philosophical observation, but in
skilful grouping together Of salient facts and Incl
dents, and in lively though dffuse manner of mar
ration. For the history of Geneva materials not
easily accessible to others have BEEN to speak,
forced upon him the scene of his story lay all around
him: the characters and events while well deserving
to be drawn from obscurty did not require for their
comprehension keoner insight or wider sympathies
than those with which he is endowed. We may add
that he is somewhat more impartial in his treatment
Of these domestic topics than when dealing with
those of foreign regions, the narrOwness of his
sectarian views finding o counterpoise in his
patriotic feelings In former volumes we had
been made acquainted with the successive
phases of contest which ended in the
virtual rejection by the Genevese people of the
rule of Savoy and Of the authority of the Prince
Bishop. This was political struggle. The martyrs
in tho cause of liberty had been for the most part
Catholics and the Reformers, though active on the
same side, comprised only small minority OF the
population At tho beginning OF 1885 Catholicism
was still the established creed and held possession of
nearly all the churches. How this state of things
was reversed we arc told in the volume now before
ia. In less than year the mass had been abolished,
the converts ompted Of their inmates, and tho
churches given over TO the Protestants, whose faith
had been adopted by the State. And this was &C
complished without much commoiioD, without
bloodshed less Icy determined efforts of energy aud
will than by seemingly inevitable process of events
This sudden and complete change will appear less
surprising If we consider the conditions under which
the great religions warfare of tho sixteenth century
was waged. Wherever Professionalism gained
secure footing wherever it was tolerated. it was al
most certain 20 become dominant. Nowhere was it
prevented from spreading and triumphng except
through persecution. 1t had in the first place, the
great advantage Of being tho assailant. Its adher-
ens were only called upon TO demonstrate the
Of o creed resting on tradition, not to prove she
truth of creed which was based upon the Scriptures
Not having been yet subjected to the temptations
arising from the possession of power and wealth. they
had clean record to oppose TO the numberess cor
ruptions which had brought odium on the Church of
Rome. Hence their great superiority whenever dis
cussion was allowed, of which n remarkable example
was given at Geneva, where the priests when called
upon by the authorities to defend their religion in
public, either shrank from the ordeal or were ig'
ANONYMOUSLY defeated. Had it, however been neces-
sary TO continue these appeals TO reason until the
masses Of population were converted the process
would have been long and doubtful one. All that
was required in most cases TO convince the gov
orning classes, who were able TO impose their re-
ligOn on the state, and through it tho nation at
large. Once adopted as tho religion of the state,
Professionalism had In its possession all tho external
appliances which had before been welded by its
opponent 1t has been alleged against the reformes
as q glaring inconsistency that tho liberty Of con-
science which they had demanded for themselves
they were unwilling to cOncede TO others. The truth
il, however, that they never demanded this liberty
on abstract grounds. The doctrines which they
preached not tho rights of conscience and other
ideas of modern society," but what they believed to
be the pure truths Of tho Gospel, which it was in
cumbent on every man to believe; and they
would have deemed themselves guilty of mortal sin
In sanctionng rites and practices which they looked
upon rs dolatrous DR.. Merle dAubign6 regrets that
the State should have usurped authority in matters
of religion and thus stepped into the position from
which the Papal power had been driven. But, in re-
its necessity and the advantages which flowed from
il. The connection of Church and State secured tho
Reformation while it still full Of vigor against
tho effects Of subsequent reaction. IL made Prot
estantsm national cause in the countries Of North
Europe and leagued those countries together for
It's defense against the aggressive Catholic powers.
BY its adoption of the Reformed faith Geneva
seemed, for the moment TO have donbled the perils
which still menaced its newly-gained freedom
While II was merely In rebellion against it's Prince
there had been interference by other parties but
It's rebellion against the Church might De expected
TO bring more powerful enemies into the field Stu
ated on the borders Of France and Italy Geneva
would become an asylum for the hereto refugees
from both those countries and base from which
the new opinions would be propagated on all Sides
Hence the King of France and the Emperor-the lat
ter as the Suzerain of several of the Italian States
and also as the chief supporter Of the Papacy-wOud
was apprehonded unite TO crush this nest of heresy
The combinations which actually ensued were of a
different kind, and had the effect not only of avert
ing from Geneva all immediate danger but of secur-
ing its existence In the future Francis l. was pre-
pairing TO oyerrun Savoy preparatory 10 the conquest
of Milan, OF which he was c0nesting the sovereignty
with Charles V. He invited the Swiss who were at
the same time receiving appeals for aid from Geneva,
to concur in his project. and make themselves mas
ters of the Pays dc Vaud. the Csapne territory OF
Savoy. No formal convention appears TO have been
entered into, nor was there need Of any, Berne had
long waited for pretext TO make q second and nal
conquest OF the Pays de Wand. and il had now two
fold nstihcatontbe duty of saving is core gonists
Of Geneva from Destruction, and the necessity Of