New-York tribune., 1874-06-11
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
CALVIN AND SERyETUS.


DIR. wM. A. HAMMOND IN REPLY TO A MINNESOTA
DIvTNE-CALvIN's CONNECTION WITH THE CON-
vICrION AND EXECUTION OF sRRvETUs, As
PROVED BY HIS OWN LETTERS.
To the Editor Of The Tribans.
SIR: BY your issue of this morning find
that the Rev. DR.. Henry Brown OF st. Paul. MINI, has
recently stated that Michael Servetus the celebrated
physician and theologan, sentenced 20 death in
Austria. The reverend gentleman has fallen into the
laughabe error OF confounding venne. small town In
the south OF France with Vienna in Austria Servetus
at the instgation of the Protestant John Calvin
arrested by the Catholic authorities Of vienne In
France He however made his escape from prison. but
was sentenced IN contlmac,am to be burned by slow
fire. servetus not being present to assist at this inter
esting ceremony. the sentence carried ont his
effgy, Which, being laid on cart was carried to the
place of execution fastened sbbet. and burnt with
five bales OF his books"
AS TO Calvin not bringing about the death of Servetus
at Geneva, we have only TO recall his own words In
his letter 10 Fare Letters Of John Calvin compiled from
hin Original Manuscripts and Edited with Historical
Notes. by Dr. Jules Bonnet Edinburgh. Isi7. Vol IL,
~, dated Geneva, Feb. IS, 1916. he says;
servetus lately wrote 10 me, and coupled with his
letter long volume OF his derious fancies with the
Thrasonie boast that should see something astonsh-
hither If it he agreeable to me. But am unwilling 10
pledge my word for his safety for If he shall some.
shall never permit him depart alive, provided my
authority be Of any avail.
Some time after this Servetus, his way to Italy,
came to Geneva He arrested tried and condemned
The opinion OF the other churches Of Switzerland
asked by the civil authorities of Geneva relative to the
proprety Of putting servetus to death. and with the
Object Of influencing them against the prisoner Calvin
wrote TO suzer Geneva Sept 1852 op cit p 400 let
Yer. of which The following Is extract Speaking of
servetus, he says:
He at length evil hour. came to this place. when.
at my insngauon, of the syndics ord cred him 20
be conducted 10 prison. For 30 disguise IL that
considered II my duty 70 put check. far as could
upon this most obstinate and ungOvernaoe man, that
his contagion might not spread further.
After the Swiss churches had unanimously advised the
Genevans to rid the church of this pest Calvin
wrote to Farel Geneva. Oct g. 1883, Op cit, p. 40:
Behold what will give you qualification. Instead
OF episile, here summary which viii not occupy
long time The messenger has returned from the swiss
churches. They unanimous in prOnOuncIng that
Servefus has now renewed those ImDious errors wth
which Satan formerly disturbed the Church, and that
he Is a monster not tO be borne. He will be
led forth to punishment tomorrow We endeay0red 10
alter the mode Of nis death, but IN vain why we did
After the execution. Calvin wrote TO Bullinger at
Zurich Geneva. Nov 2s, 1853 op. cit, p. 422):
hope you received the letter which you lately,
in which thanked you all in my own name and that OF
you IN the case OF Servetus
Thus from his own letters IT is what agency Cal
VIC had in the execution OF one of the most
Of his day. Collateral evidence is not wanting show
that he descended 10 petty prosecutions and that
II ne dd NOT as was asserted seat nlseu az "lhuo"
aud lsugh the procession TO ChamPel passed BY he
taunted and revied his enemy almost in his last agonies
Let rascas," he writes boast OF the Obsnacy of
their champion II 1t were the constancy Of martyr
II the stupidity Of brute beast that he exhibited
when they came inform him Of his fate. AS soon
he heard his eyes were fixed like those OF
an IDIOT and then be howled like madman. He craved
not, after the of spaniards. TO below mercy
mercy :" Calvin, Op., era, Geneva. 1917
1 think you will agree with me that the Rev. Mr.
Brown. who is presume doctor OF divinity, had bet
ter study history OF Christianity little more before
he rushes into print the only result OF displaying
his ignorance. Respectfully,
Ne,o- York, June s, 1874 WILLIAM A. HAMMOND.