The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1909-10-22
CALVIN and HIS TIMES
BY Rev. JOHN GARTH.


address with these words: In the
year that William Shakespeare was
born, John Calvin died; what magnif-
icent exchange for the universe
This utterance, while pronouncing the
names of two Of the worlds greatest
men, nevertheless was a bold sarcasm,
rather than truthful assertion The
Bard Of Avon was the worlds greatest
dramatist, and his contribution to liter
ature will survive for ages. But in true
greatness and benefaction to the world
Shakespeare is not to be compared to
John Calvin.
Shakespeare marked the end of the
Elizabethan age of literature. Calvin was
the rising sun Of the Reformation, and
his brilliant influence cast light and
heat over Switzerland, France, Germany,
England, and, as Rouke declares, Cal
vim was the virtual founder of America.
Compare the literature of these two
geniuses. The tragedies, comedies and
sonnets of Shakespeare, while imposing
with wisdom and glowing with fancy,
original and unparalleled, are netherthe-
less, in their autographs, unfit for the
perusal of decent eyes.
Calvins writings, though unappeal
ing to the thoughtless, yet by their
chaste, reverent, searching, vigorous,
religious ideas, they revolutionized the
worlds theology, permeated the laws of
many nations, and inspired countless
mortals to lives of honor, integrity and
sobriety and to the fear of God.
If we compare the personalities of
these two men we can but be amused
at the contrast. Shakespeare was live
ly, humorous, fun-loving, harum
scarum. He fled from his native vii
lage to escape punishment for poach-
ing on the estate of Sir Thomas Lucy. |
He lived in theatre, wrote brilliant,
but immoral, plays, was member of
gay and boisterous group of players and
writer's.
John Calvin was sombre, decorous,
religious, conscientious, powerful in the
pulpit, mighty in council, driving inn
morality from his city and making it
renowned for religion. Calvin was the
adviser of kings and statesmen, the in
structor of ministers, the inspirer of
martyrs, the creator of industries, the
champion of liberty and truth.
Such is the contrast between Shake
speare and Calvin-the bonfire beside
the blazing sun.
John Calvin was born on July 10,
1909, in Noyon, France, 70 miles north
east of Paris. His father was a Catho
lie and secretary to the Bishop Of
Noyon. He was poor, but secured a
fine education for his son through the
help of the church. John Calvin was
student of three universities, Orleans,
Bourges and Paris, and had brilliant
career in all AS law student he fire.
quently lectured to the classes in the
absence of his professor. He received
the honorary degree Of Doctor of Laws.
Already in 1925, the light of the morn
ing star of the Reformation, Martyr
Luther, and of that bright constellation
which arose with him, Melanchthon,
Ecolompadius, Twinge, Lefevere and
Fall, was shining and heralded the
Protestant Reformation. But while to
these illustrious men in their several
countries the world is indebted for the
dawn of this great epoch, in John CAL
vim behold the rising sun that chased
away the lurking shadows of the middle
ages and from chaos and disruption
brought order, truth, life, yigor to the
Protestant church of Jesus Christ.
John Calvin grew up Catholic, but +,
in 1882, while student at Paris, he /,
was as suddenly converted as Paul, on
the way to Damascus. And to Paul.
John Calvin forms a striking analogy in
doctrine, character and zeal.
Calvin's introduction as leader of the :
Reformation came when he prepared
for his friend, Nicolas Cop, an inaug
ural address, delivered by Cop on his :
entrance into the office of rector of the :
University of Paris, on All Saints Day ;,
in 1888, before an immense audience.
Calvin had made the address an appeal
for the reforAof the church on the ba-
sis of the pure gospel, rejecting Pope,
council and tradition When it became '
known that Calvin was the author he =
was compelled to flee for his life. :,
For three years Calvin's life was I'M
.o4loJ Ha randarad over (fermanv