The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1923-01-31

| to the muddy turbulence of its ingress
/ ut the other end of the lake. The city
is not the metropolis Of the min ATTIRE
republic of Switzerland. for Zurich
surpasses 1t in population by 80 per
cent, and Berne is the capital. But it Is
doubtful whether, before the World
war, any other city Of Genevn's size
was visited annually by as many tour
lists, for it was the main gateway into
the world-famou3 playground Of Eu-
rope.
Although its recorded history goes
back beyond the Christian era, to the
time when Julius Caesar. in his COM
mentaries on his first expedition into
Gaul. mentions 1t as stronghold of
the AllObroges. its growth has been
phenomenal only in its leisurelness.
Today, after 20 centuries. it las less
than one-third the population of the
century-old capital of the United
States.
The city enjoys the distinction of he
Ing the birthplace of the International
Red Cross. but also has some dark
chapters in its past-the religious ex-
cesses of the Reformation. when the
prosecuted became the prosecutors.
Geneva's Noted Men.
Rousseau, Of whom Napoleon said.
without him, France would not have
had her Revolution; and the patriot
Bonivard, whose trials. Byron ilnmor-
saliZed as the "Prisoner of Chillon,"
were Genevans. Farel, the Billy Sun
day of his day, who could not be made
to desist from preaching. even though
the women of his congregation dragged
him up and down the aisIes of the
church by his beard, made the lake
city his headquarters during his as
cendancy. And John Calvin, "wlo
found Geneva bear garden and left
1t docile school nf piety." was virtual
dictator here for u quarter of CEN
fury.
One of the most picturesque figures
in the history of Geneva during this
period was Francois de Downward, who.
when his victorious friends rushed in
to his dungeon Mt ChillOn crying.
Downward. you are freel" responded
with the query. "And Geneva?" Upon
being assured that his city was also
saved. he went home rejoicing.
By one of those curious chances up
on which hinge events of monumental |
moment. the young French philoso-
pher, John Calvin. native of Picardy, |
passed through Geneva one evening on |
his way to Strassburg. He had intend
ed spending only one night hut Farel,
hearing of his arrival. rushed to him
LIS in the vicinity of the park which
every act of his life, con-
vinced Calvin that it was his duty to
remain and assist in the organization
Of Il theocratic state.
There is no more beautiful picture
Df Christian charity than the scene in
this city when. on August go 1872,
merchants of Lyons brought news OF
The massacre OF the Huguenots on st.
day. Pastors were dis
patched to the frontiers to meet the
'ugtives who were reported to he on
heir way to this asylum. and the ven
,rahle Theodore de Beze. who had sue
'cetled Calvin as the spiritual head of
he council. directed the whole popula.
ion to fast and pray for the suffer
'rs.
Geneva has set aside rs ste for
he permanent home of the League of
Nations. beautiful wooded park bor-
lering on the lake. some five miles
rom tie center of the city. BEHIND
ba norl, towar fine SuOw-clSd Jur3 |
Mountains. While there are many VII
as in the vicinity of the park which
re suitable for offices and for guar
ers Of the delegates and their secre
arlal STATS. the capitol building itself
lust be built.