The Washington herald., 1909-06-14

lance Of Reformed Churches holding
the Presbyterian system They are com
ing from every continent, and from every
principal country Of the globe. Ninety
different denominations. speaking half
dozen tongues or more. viii be repre-
sented. Called the Presbyterian Al
lance for short. this great association
has succeeded IN establishing a fraternaI
spirit among all churches of Calvanistic
creed II Is one OF the great landmarks
on the road toward Christian unity, and
seeks 70 have other great faiths united
as II is It hopes TO see all followers OF
Wesley bound together by a similar or
ganization, all the followers OF Luther
united In similar way
The conference win be the most i'm
portant IN the history OF such gather
ings. It viii celebrate the four hundredth
anniversary OF the birth OF John Calvin.
which occurs on July 10. Many move
ments have been marked In the Presby-
terian word-mOvements toward a revi-
sion Of creed and toward Christian unity.
There has been great unrest in the reli-
gious life Of the day. And the changing
fields Of endeavOr. changing methods OF
work. and widening horizon Of Christian
view. all call for attention by the con-
ference.
The alliance IS not a legislative OF
judicial body. It's powers are simply
advisory. It recommends only. and aims
70 shape public thought IN the direction
or its recommendations. Many of the
great questions OF theological discussion
OF the day VIII come up for considera-
ton. and the pronouncements OF the con-
ference thereon Will be awaited with
keen interest. II viii discuss Our Lord
pre-eXistence." His virgin birth" His
resurrection The newer phases OF
evolution and many other questions
about which the fires OF religious con-
trOversy rage to-day.
II there IS any new or any old thing
about Calvin and Calvinism that viii
not be told or retold IS will be A remark
able circumstance for two days will be
occupied with addresses on every phase
OF the life and faith OF the great theolo-
gian. Even the regrettable things IN the
career Of Calvin will not be overlooked
sucn as his part in the burning Of
Servetus. accused Of being a hereto
The growth Of the Calvinistic churches
Of the world has been remarkable. Twen-
" years ago they had less than 5000
congregations. to-day they have nearly
5000. Ten years ago their annual con
tributions 10 the work amounted 10 about
S30,000o 600. to-day their contributions
amount 10 about 100000. IN twenty
years they have added more than 5000
ministers 10 their number, and have prac-
tically doubled their list Of communicant
members. 1t Will be interesting to many
10 know that Calvinism has its strongest
hold in North America. Nearly 70 per
cent Of its contributions are received from |
american sources. More than half OF
the followers Of Calvin are found on
this continent, and about 60 per cent or
"he congregations embraced in the ALI /
ance dwell on American soil
The story OF Calvin. founder OF Presby- /
terianism, is one OF the most attractive 4
in all the biographies Of theologians. /
Born in Picardy, France on July 10. 1909 1
he enjoyed peculiar educational advan- /
tages. At the tender age OF twelve he I
was appointed TO receive funds from the I
cathedral. The noble family Montmors :
took a fancy TO him. and gave him the 4
same educational advantages enjoyed By 4
their own children. By the time he was
nineteen he had held two charges as 4
curate. and resigned the last one IN favor /
Of his younger brother. In I52S his father /
cnanged his mind about the boys career I
and decided that he should become a 4
lawyer
His hard study during the period that I
followed laid the foundation OF the IN 4
health that was afterward his lot. BY /
the time he was twenty-five he had writ 1
ten the famous inaugural address Of his \
friend Cop upon the occasion OF his cleo /
ton as rector Of the University of Paris \
His originality Of thought did not impress /
the people, and the two had TO flee for /
their lives as heretics. II is said that \
Calvin let himself down from his window /
By rope made Of his bed sheets and /
Disgusting himself as a vine dresser. he
made his escape. In 1886. at the age OF
twenty-seven. he published the first edi-
tion OF his Institutes OF the Christian Re
hgion, one Of the most remarkable pro-
ductiOns of the reformation period. He
afterward met Farel. who declared he
would lay the curse OF God upon him If
he did not take I'D the work with him.
Calvin took the call OF Farel as the call
Of God. and at once enlisted in the work
that resulted in the establishment Of the
Calvinistic creed. He and Farel worked
together for two years but they became
so extreme in their rule Of church and
municipality that there was rebellion. and
they were forced into exile after two
years Of residence. The people Of Geneva
very soon found out. however. that they
could not get along without Calvin. stern
though his rule had been. and again he
was called TO the work IN that city. II
was while here that he got into his con-
troversy with Servetus. in which he for
warded certain documents TO the Roman
Catholic Church. which served 10 iden-
tify Servetus. and aided in his conviction !,
OF heresy- Calvin did what he could 10
prevent the noted hereto from being
burned at the stake, but was unsuccess-
full To tie Victims girdle was attached
the very manuscript which Calvin had
sent 1t may be said OF Calvin that he
was no more bitter toward Servetus than
were others. even the gentle Melancthon
seeing nothing but occasion for rejoicing
in the fate Of Servetus.
Calvin was pre-eminently the theologian
OF the reformation. He systematized the
doctrines Of Protestantism and gave 1t its
ecclesiastical discipline. When death an
preached he requested that no monument
should be erected TO his memory. pre-
ferring the monument Of service rendered
rather than one Of stone. His wish was
Loyalty respected, and to-day men have
nought but uncertain tradition TO guide
them as 20 the exact spot where his
mortal remains We're laid. During the
week from July 10 10 the city Of Geneva
will honor the 400th anniversary OF his
birth by the unveiling Of n monument 10
his memory, monument representing
the offerings OF the whole civilized world !
Yet the exact spot OF his burial Will not (
be known The chair IN which he SAT
and the pulpit in which ne preached are
preserved in Geneva, and will figure in I
The ceremonies Of the occasion.
Calvinism had its heroic age and its l
martyrs Ia the days OF the Fra7cb