, 1875-02-21

ons OF the most painful experiences Of tht
unbiased student Of history ia to discover bis
hnroes-the heroes OF his earlier yes,s-unde1
searching investigation an investigation which
seaks for fact and truth and nothing more turn
out vary commonplace il not very 1epulsive
characters. And yet this is IN experience which
the bold criticiB1n Of modern writer's Is malring
moze frequent every day. 1t may be that, in tha
proper sense OF the word. Calvin iS \ hero to
very few. To many, however, he is oear as one
Of the fathers Of the Reformation. It is doubtful
whether even these will long point to his life AZ
On the whole alaudable one OF excuse the dark
traits in his character for tho sake Of the cause
in which be was, and doubtless honestly GU
gaged. Calyins life has not yet been written.
Lives Of him there are OF oourse in
abundance but penned either BY strong pa1h-
saoG Or strong opponents Of the Reformation,
they arc disheurod by the prejudices of their
respective authora- 4 correct picture Of
him We may not expect until q
writer who cares ~ little for Professionalism as
for Catholicism ahall weigh his deeds in the i'm
partial scale Of criticism Areadya contrlbu-
: ton has been made to his future biography by q
diSciple OF tbs celebrated Prot. Echlossex, Dr.
GAline, Of Geneva, in series OF works published
by him. But few copies Of these monographs,
devoted to the history OF t7inlA which took p1ace
in Geneva, knd in which Calvin figured largely,
have been published. Nr. Eugene peschier,
Gernsn Iteratour, has published series ct ar-
ticles On Prof. Galihe's works, in Leipsic
journal reviewing his facts and conclusions.
They are full OF historical interest. Neither
Qalihe nor Peschier can deny OK seems disposed
to deny that Calvin was endowed with immense
ability His erudition ~ theologiAn, lus great
mass As statesman, bis iron energy and un-
bending viii, are facts that cannot be gainseyed
But hero al praise Of the man must end. it
Prot. Galitfe states facts; and that he does We
ars forced to befsve, aineo he has had access to
the original records Of the trials he describes,
md zafars to them to substantate hin asses-
6ons.
It was in 1885 that Calvin camo to Geneva.
Hitherto he h1d only been known ~ Z writer.
TAul wished to keep him there and assured him
b would be accu1sed II hs should seek his own
will ins.ead Of Gods and leave it. He deter
mined to stay at Geneva For the first time the
consciousness Of himself and his powers took
full possesaion Of him. He was carried away by
tbs dream OF : mighty tbeocracy. No man ever
belioved more firmly that he was directly intlu-
enosd by the Divine Spirit than did Calvin He
easily persuaded himself that his and Gods will
were identical, and never doubted his own infa1-
hbiity in the interpretation Of tho Scripture.
Calvin's arrival in Gensva wzs m eventful day
for tbs city. It became thencefo1th Cal7in's city
and the " protestant Rome" He endeavored to
tmpress himself upon it to make it reflex of
himaelf. It was to become the theocratic city Of
tho world. God alone WAS there to reign. 4 party
arose to oppose tho transformation. It WIS |
called the national party, and tesisted Calrins |
yoke most strenuously. Hence the origin Of the |
long conflict between him and it. Blu: even |
before this contest arose Calvin had given evi- |
dsnes Of the gigantic intolerance and cruelty |
which Afterwards, ~; GAli1a shows, characterized |
him 4 short time previous to his coming into |
Geneva, tha Government had thought Of tender
INK him an official residence. Ahouse was taken |
during the absence Of its owners, aad be took up
h's residence in it. The proprietor, through |
one Pier1e Annesux, put in protest. against it, |
md after \ long controversy, the Refor9cr Was
obliged to move into neigbboring house. Calvin
in preacher Of the gospel Of peace. never for-
gsve him. He persecuted him numerically.
8e forbade him to ca1y On his trade. He cora-
PEELED him some twenty times to take back his
taishless wife, after he had Oh tbs ground Of
ldulte1y, separated himself from her as many
imss, and all this while he waa Furnishing other
Fonen suspected Of adultary after the manner
'anctioned by the ba1barous state Of the penal
'oda, with the rAck, branding than, casting them
Live in \ bag into the Rhine. Anneau1 WIS de-
'ouncsd md Imprisoned. He was oondemned to
,ay 6ne at 600 francs. This did not satisfy
;atvtn, who refused to ascend ths pulpit again
'nleas, in addition to TINT, the eu1put ware de-
adved Of his lights u = citizen md required to
'eg pardon On his knees with lighted taper in
III hand. clergyman who blamed Oa1vin's
'aFe1itJ towards Anunaux was deprived OF his
'otation md sent to Jail ca that account.
Calvin has been credited with making Geneva
sort Of refoee tor tha peraecuted of other
Ead, bazt waa only for those Who believed as !
y did, and Who were willing 10 accept him - p.
hair lssdek. He baniahed great number Of ]
lAkseatzznsn nd Italiana xho hid sought pro-
>sttn7 h H. dsy oafy because tAs1 asree1nAnt ,
III III him Wa NOD htzra1 ona Bsrvstus ana
fASeilaEA VexR mi h &AA1h fka fnrnakR |