The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-09-30


thsn oraod. diaclplIns and organization.
He forMnlatsd .thsir theology. He in
splred 'thsir martyr cOuIagO. He taught
than how Dost 20 oppose Rome. He
trained many Of thsir Isaders. provided
them q Gty u refuge In persecution spd
m example Of . disciplined Christian COM
munisy which attracted thetr admiration
and imitation.' Over all this vast region
be sEercised an ~unOfnciAl but far reaching
e~piscopate.s
We all know that he has been called a
'Popei; but, q Prof. Walker says, the
designation II apt only in It's indication Of
the geographical sxtsnE Of HIS authority.
That authority was not due to ONCE
or peculiar advantage Of station. II was
purely one Of mind over mind. But
II . all the more real and long en-
during. Calvin 90 impressed his interpre-
tatiOn of Christian truth and Of the Chris
tian life upon men hat they thought his
thoughts after him, and his ideas became
part Of the mental fabric Of q large portion
OF the Inhabitants OF central and western
Europe. md ultimately ~ North Amsrica.'
It would, indeed. be difficult to ~exAggerate
the influence exerted by Calvin's system
on the religious history OF the United States.
The English Puritans. the Scotch and Irish
Presbyterians, the Hollanders and the
Huguenot eules from France were 10
establish his faith and to a large extent
his policy 0vsr large tracts Of tho North
American continent.
From the religious reformer let us turn Tor
q momsnt 20 glance at the mar In per-
sonal appearance, we are told, Calvin
was Of medium height, Of a rather pale
and dark complexion, with eyes clear. even
to his death, which evidenced the sagacity
OF his mind Though his body was greatly
emAciated In later life by illness his face
was little changed to the last. The slight
figure, with the strongly marked features,
broad, high forehead. bright eyes and
rather scanty beard. must always have
carried an impression OF scholarly refine
ment; but Calvinis chief gracee were thoee
Of the intellect and spirit-vivacity, clarity,
impressive earnestness, keen penetration.
felicitous and striking Characterization
The biographer adds that mel felt an
intellectual and moral masterfulness in
him, perhaps the more strongly because
it's physical embodiment 50 imperfectly
bespoke it's greatness.'
A2Cuku NAiNHAe @gHhnAANAhNo VIZ -
his intimate friends were few. 1t is said
that for his friends he had great fascina-
ton Of manner. II he had hone OF the genial
boRhomie Of Luther, he was no misanthrope.
His comparative isolation OF spirit was
that Of a man oppressed with multitudinous
burdens, compelled to husband his strength
to the utmost, Of aristocratic tastes, and
with little leisure or inclination for anything
which did not bear on the accomplishment
Of his task Calvin's character ia one OF
lights and shadows. His chief faults were
q supersensitive self-consciousness, which
led him to feel sights and criticisms far too
keenly, and a quickness OF temper which
often vercam him. to the loss OF self-con-
troll. His nerves, racked by constant strug-
gle and by long Illness. were easily rasped.
In his easily aroused evaporation he often
expressed himself, even to his intimstee,
with acerbity. To his enemies he was hard
and vindictive. In the book before US
much Of this ssperty is attributed TO semi
invalidism, but much also IL regarded as
the fruit Of q conviction that his work was
that OF God. For a man OF such a tenn
permanent It was almost inevitable to see
in an attack upon himself a danger to the
cause OF the Gospel. ts-
In Ane, Calvin, 70 his opponents, was the
stern, ~unrelspting enemy. To q majority
OF his supporter, an admired leader and
wise commander, an inspirer Of courage and
zeal, yet withal a figure somewhat distant
and awesome. To his intimates he was the
aifectionate. if quick tempered and some
times ~censorious, friend-a man to be loved
as well a. reverenced. But whether
friend, disciple or foe. none could fail to
recognize Calvin's transcendent ability"
His crowninR trait was expressed in the
declaration Of the Genevan Council. stand
ing under the shadow of his recent death:
God gave him . character Of great
majesty N. W. H.