The New York herald., 1921-06-26
The Search for Calvin's Grave.

The location OF the grave OF JOHN
CALVIN, the founder Of Calvinism,
teacher, theologian and one Of the
most conspicuous figures Of the Ref
ormation, has been for at least two
centuries a mystery which bafled all
attempts at solution. CALVIN died at
Geneva, Switzerland, where he had
spent most Of the active years Of his
life, in May. 1854. There is said to
be q mention of memorial services
at his grave 100 years afterward.
Since then there has been nothing
which might identify its location ex-
cept the rather vague tradition that
the place OF his burial Is guarded
as a profound secret by the Calvin
family and is handed down under
pledge from one generation to an
other. This tradition now appears
as a possible means of the solution
Of the mystery. A message from Ge-
neva says that a member of the Cal
vim family, q man Of IL, who is
without children, wishes to divulge
as q matter Of duty the family secret
to the Ecclesiastical Consistory of
Geneva.
To Geneva this statement must be
q rather gratifying piece OF news.
Geneva is the town of CALVIN and
the Reformation. CALvIN's stern face
appears in paintings and statuary in
the city's museums, churches and
parks. His house is carefully II not
authentically marked by tablets, and
a big building called the Calvinium
is storehouse Of memorial objects
connected with his life. But Geneva
Is forced to acknowledge to the ar
dent Calvin pilgrims that 1t does not
know what they most frequently ask,
Where 10 the great reformer's grave?
The general reference to CALVIN s
burial place Is to the effect that It is
not known; a somewhat more spe-
cific statement Is that he was buried
in "the common cemetery in Geneva
called Plainpalais," but that the ex-
act spot has not been identified. This
cemetery still remains and 10 one OF
the largest of the city. II Is said
that CALVIN asked that he be buried
without pomp OF church or state"
and that It was his choice that he
be buried in "the common cemetery"
Monetary considerations may possi-
bly, have Influenced him in this Sc
lection; he paid little attention to
money matters, the will he left dis
posed of only 225 French crowns,
which It was said represented his
entire personal wealth.
One tradition Is to the effect that
his burial was in secret for fear that
enemies would desecrate his grave.
This appears improbable in view of
the fact that his party was In con.
troll OF affairs in Geneva and ruled
II with Calvinistic severity. Besides,
oflcial reports say that while the
funeral was without pomp It was
j attended by "all the dignitaries OF
Geneva" CALVIN had few friends
though he had many acquaintances
His austcrity OF manner rather re
PEELED than encouraged friendships
His wife had been dead several years
when he died: he was childless, and
the only relatives who might have
been interested in the care and pro
lection OF his grave we're the neph
ews and nieces, whom he named in
his will.
The peculiar condition regarding
the burial place OF JOHN CALVIN II
not without It's parallel. The fight
over the succession to MoHAMMEr
divided Islam for years on the ques
tion II the Prophets body really
rested in the tomb at Medina. The
controversy which arose at the time
Of the removal OF JOHN PAUL JoNEs's
body from France to America Is still