Los Angeles herald., 1909-06-14

on july ~. Mdiy
movements have been marked in the
Presbyterian world, movements TO-
ward a revision of creed and toward
Christian unity. There has been great
unrest in the religious life of the day
And the changing fields of endeaVor,
changing methods of work and WIDEN
ing horizon of Christian view all can
for attention by the conference.
The alliance is not a legislative or
a judicial body. It's powers are SIMPLY
advisory. 1t recommends only, ana
aims to shape public thought in the
direction of its recommendations.
Many of the great questions of theo-
logical discussion of the day will come
up for consideration, and the pro-
nouncements of the conference there
on will be awaited with keen interest.
1t will discuss "Our Lords Pre-exist-
ence," His Virgin Birth His Res
direction" 1.-THE Newer Phases OF
Evolution" and many other questions
about which the fires of religious con-
troversy rage today.
If there is any new or old thing
about Calvin and Calvinism that Will
not be told or retold it will be re-
narkable circumstance; for two days
will be occupied on every phase of the
life and faith of the great theologian.
Even the regrettable things in the
career of Calvin will not be over
looked-such as his part in the burn
ing of Servetus, accused of being
hereto.
The growth of the Calvinistic
churches of the world has been re-
markable. Twenty years ago they had
less than $4,000 congregations; today
thew have nearly $4,000. Ten years
ago their annual contributions to the
work amounted to about $30,O00,0OO;
today their contributions amount to
about $50 900, 900. In twenty years they
have added more than 5000 minister's
to thier number and have practically
doubled their list of communlcant
members. 1t will be interesting to
many to know that Calvinism has It's
strongest hold in North America
Nearly 70 per cent of its contributions
are received from American sources.
More than half of the followers of Cali
win are found on this continent ana
about so per cent of the congregations
embraced in the alliance dwell on
American soil.
The story of Calvin, founder OF
Presbyterianism, is one of the most
attractive in all the biographies of the
ologians. Born in Picardy, France, on
July 10, 1909, he enjoyed peculiar edu-
cational advantages. At the tender
age of 12 he was appointed to receive
funds from the cathedral. The noble
family Montmors took fancy to him
and gave him the same educational ad-
vantages enjoyed by their own chill
dren. By the time he was 10 he had
held two charges as curate and re-
signed the last one in favor of his
Younger brother. In 1928 his father
changed his mind about the boys ca
reer and decided that he should become
a lawyer. His hard study during the
period that followed laid the founda-
tion of the i'll health that was after
ward his lot. By the time he was 70
he had written the famous inaugural
address of his friend Cop upon the
occasion of his election as rector OF
the University of Paris. His original
ity of thought did not impress the peo-
pie. and the two had to fleet for their
lives as heretics. 1t is said that CAL
win let himself down from his window
by a rope made of his bedsheets, and
disgusting himself as q vine dresser he
made his escape. In 1886, at the age
of 81, he published the first edition Of
his institutes of the Christian Reli-
gion." one of the most remarkable pro-
auctions of the Reformation period. he
afterward met Farel, who declared ne
would lay the curse of God upon MIN
if he did not take up the work with
him.
Calvin took the call of Farel as the