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Daybreak in France
133
gathered to make sure of his death if he should escape the council.
The presence of magistrates and an armed force, however, saved
him. Early next morning he was conducted across the lake to a place
of safety. Thus ended his first effort to evangelize Geneva.
For the next trial a lowlier instrument was chosen—a young man
so humble in appearance that he was coldly treated even by the
professed friends of reform. But what could such a one do where
Farel had been rejected? “God hath chosen the weak things of the
world to confound the things which are mighty.”
1 Corinthians 1:27
.
Froment, the Schoolmaster
Froment began his work as a schoolmaster. The truths which he
taught the children at school they repeated at their homes. Soon the
parents came to hear the Bible explained. New Testaments and tracts
were freely distributed. After a time this laborer also was forced to
flee, but the truths he taught had taken hold upon the minds of the
people. The Reformation had been planted. The preachers returned,
and Protestant worship was finally established in Geneva.
The city had already declared for the Reformation when Calvin
entered its gates. He was on his way to Basel when forced to take
the circuitous route by Geneva.
In this visit Farel recognized the hand of God. Though Geneva
had accepted the reformed faith, yet the work of regeneration must
be wrought in the heart by the power of the Holy Spirit, not by the
decrees of councils. While the people of Geneva had cast off the
authority of Rome, they were not so ready to renounce the vices that
had flourished under her rule.
In the name of God Farel solemnly adjured the young evangelist
[146]
to remain and labor there. Calvin drew back in alarm. He shrank
from contact with the bold and even violent spirit of the Genevese.
He desired to find a quiet retreat for study, and there, through the
press, instruct and build up the churches. But he dared not refuse.
It seemed to him “that the hand of God was stretched down from
heaven, that it lay hold of him, and fixed him irrevocably to the place
he was so impatient to leave.
18
D’Aubigne, bk. 9. ch. 17.