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directed to spreading the gospel in his native country。 He spent
considerable time in preaching among his countrymen near the frontier； where
with tireless vigilance he watched the conflict and aided by his words of
encouragement and counsel。 With the assistance of other exiles； the writings
of the German Reformers were translated into the French language and；
together with the French Bible； were printed in large quantities。 By
colporteurs these works were sold extensively in France。 They were furnished
to the colporteurs at a low price； and thus the profits of the work enabled
them to continue it。
Farel entered upon his work in Switzerland in the humble guise of a
schoolmaster。 Repairing to a secluded parish； he devoted himself to the
instruction of children。 Besides the usual branches of learning； he
cautiously introduced the truths of the Bible； hoping through the children
to reach the parents。 There were some who believed； but the priests came
forward to stop the work； and the superstitious country people were roused
to oppose it。 〃That cannot be the gospel of Christ；〃 urged the priest；
〃seeing the preaching of it does not bring peace； but war。〃Wylie； b。 14；
ch。 3。 Like the first disciples； when persecuted in one city he fled to
another。 From village to village； from city to city； he went； traveling on
foot； enduring hunger； cold； and weariness； and everywhere in peril of his
life。 He preached in the market places； in the churches； sometimes in the
pulpits of the cathedrals。 Sometimes he found the church empty of hearers；
at times his preaching was interrupted by shouts and jeers； again he was
pulled violently out of the pulpit。 More than once he was set upon by the
rabble and beaten almost to death。 Yet he
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pressed forward。 Though often repulsed； with unwearying persistence he
returned to the attack； and； one after another； he saw towns and cities
which had been strongholds of popery； opening their gates to the gospel。 The
little parish where he had first labored soon accepted the reformed faith。
The cities of Morat and Neuchatel also renounced the Romish rites and
removed the idolatrous images from their churches。
Farel had long desired to plant the Protestant standard in Geneva。 If this
city could be won； it would be a center for the Reformation in France； in
Switzerland； and in Italy。 With this object before him； he had continued his
labors until many of the surrounding towns and hamlets had been gained。 Then
with a single companion he entered Geneva。 But only two sermons was he
permitted to preach。 The priests； having vainly endeavored to secure his
condemnation by the civil authorities； summoned him before an ecclesiastical
council； to which they came with arms concealed under their robes；
determined to take his life。 Outside the hall； a furious mob； with clubs and
swords； was gathered to make sure of his death if he should succeed in
escaping the council。 The presence of magistrates and an armed force；
however； saved him。 Early next morning he was conducted； with his companion；
across the lake to a place of safety。 Thus ended his first effort to
evangelize Geneva。
For the next trial a lowlier instrument was chosena 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？ How
could one of little courage and experience withstand the tempest before
which the strongest and bravest had been forced to flee？ 〃Not by might； nor
by power； but by My Spirit； saith the Lord。〃 Zechariah 4：6。 〃God hath chosen
the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty。〃
〃Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men； and the weakness of God
is stronger than men。〃 1 Corinthians 1：27； 25。
Froment began his work as a schoolmaster。 The truths which he taught the
children at school they repeated at
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their homes。 Soon the parents came to hear the Bible explained； until the
schoolroom was filled with attentive listeners。 New Testaments and tracts
were freely distributed； and they reached many who dared not come openly to
listen to the new doctrines。 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； and it continued to strengthen and extend。
The preachers returned； and through their labors the Protestant worship was
finally established in Geneva。
The city had already declared for the Reformation when Calvin； after various
wanderings and vicissitudes； entered its gates。 Returning from a last visit
to his birthplace； he was on his way to Basel； when； finding the direct road
occupied by the armies of Charles V； he was 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 a great work remained to be accomplished here。 It is
not as communities but as individuals that men are converted to God； the
work of regeneration must be wrought in the heart and conscience 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。 To establish here the
pure principles of the gospel and to prepare this people to fill worthily
the position to which Providence seemed calling them were not light tasks。
Farel was confident that he had found in Calvin one whom he could unite with
himself in this work。 In the name of God he solemnly adjured the young
evangelist to remain and labor here。 Calvin drew back in alarm。 Timid and
peace…loving； he shrank from contact with the bold； independent； and even
violent spirit of the Genevese。 The feebleness of his health； together with
his studious habits； led him to seek retirement。 Believing that by his pen
he could best serve the cause of reform； he desired to find a quiet
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retreat for study； and there； through the press； instruct and build up the
churches。 But Farel's solemn admonition came to him as a call from Heaven；
and he dared not refuse。 It seemed to him； he said； 〃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。〃 D'Aubigne； History
of the Reformation in Europe in the Time of Calvin； b。 9； ch。 17。
At this time great perils surrounded the Protestant cause。 The anathemas of
the pope thundered against Geneva； and mighty nations threatened it with
destruction。 How was this little city to resist the powerful hierarchy that
had so often forced kings and emperors to submission？ How could it stand
against the armies of the world's great conquerors？
Throughout Christendom； Protestantism was menaced by formidable foes。 The
first triumphs of the Reformation past； Rome summoned new forces； hoping to
accomplish its destruction。 At this time the order of the Jesuits was
created； the most cruel； unscrupulous； and powerful of all the champions of
popery。 Cut off from earthly t