ALVIN was born at Noyon, in Picardy, on the 10th of July, 1509. When about twenty years of age he resigned his ecclesiastical benefice, and through his zeal in defending the Reformation against the doctors of the Sorbonne, he was obliged to fly from Paris, and escaped to Basil. There he wrote his Institutes, and surprised

the world by his celebrated appeal to Francis I., on behalf of the Huguenots.

In 1536, by the solicitation of Farel, he was appointed minister and professor of divinity at Geneva. But his pungent admonitions against the vices of the persons in power drew upon him their indignation, and he was banished from that city. He removed to Strasburg, and accompanied Bucer to the ecclesiastical conferences at Worms and Ratisbon. He was recalled to Geneva in 1541; and from that period continued zealously to exercise his superior learning and extensive talents in the propagation of divine truth and the principles of the reformed churches. No higher proof of Calvin's philanthropy can be mentioned than the fact, that, notwithstanding his high reputation and authority at Geneva, all his property at his death was only his library and three hundred crowns. His indefatigable diligence is demonstrated by the nine ponderous volumes which he wrote. Some of his works have never been surpassed, or scarcely equalled.

Labors. During a fortnight in each month, he preached every day; gave three lectures in theology every week; assisted at all the deliberations of the consistory, and at the meetings of the pastors; met the congregation every Friday; instructed the French churches by the frequent advices they solicited from him; and defended the Reformation from the attacks of its enemies, and particularly those of the French priests. The council of Geneva, not only charged him with many painful and difficult commissions, for which he was obliged to undertake long and frequent journeys, but consulted him habitually on all important concerns. He was par

ticularly employed in framing the edicts and legislative acts of the town, which were completed and approved in the year 1543. By his reputation and his eloquence he prevented the usual troubles of a rising government, and inspired confidence among the different bodies of the state.

Disinterestedness.-Eckius being sent by the pope legate into France, upon his return, resolved to take Geneva in his way, on purpose to see Calvin. Within a league of Geneva, Eckius left his retinue, and accompanied but with one man, went to the city. Having inquired where Calvin lived, he knocked at the door, and Calvin himself came to open it to him. Eckius acquainted him that he was a stranger, and having heard much of his fame, was come to wait upon him. Calvin invited him in, and, discoursing of many things concerning religion, Eckius inquired why he left the Roman church, and offered some arguments to persuade him to return. At last Eckius told him that he would put his life in his hand, and then said he was Eckius, the pope's legate. Calvin was surprised, and begged his pardon that he had not treated him with the respect due to his quality. Eckius returned the compliment, and told him if he would come back to the Roman church, he would certainly procure for him a cardinal's cap. Eckius then asked him what revenue he had. He told the cardinal he had that house and garden and fifty livres per annum, beside a yearly present of some wine and corn, on which he lived very contentedly. Eckius told him that a man of his parts deserved a greater revenue, and then renewed his invitation to come over to the Romish church, promising him a better stipend. Calvin, giving him thanks, assured him he was well satisfied with his condition. At dinner he entertained his guest as well as he could, and paid him great respect. Eckius desired to see the church. Calvin accordingly sent to the officers to be ready with the keys, and desired some of the syndics to be there present. As Eckius was coming out of Calvin's house, he drew out a purse with one hundred pistoles, and told him he gave it to buy books, as well as to express his respect for him. Calvin with much regret took the purse, and then proceeded to the church, where the syndics and officers waited upon them; at the sight of whom Eckius thought he had been betrayed, but Calvin assured him of his safety. After having taken a full view of everything, Calvin, calling the syndics and officers together, took out

the purse of gold which Eckius had given him, telling them that he had received that gold from the worthy stranger, who gave it to the poor, and so put it all into the poor-box. The syndics thanked the stranger, and Eckius admired the charity and modesty of Calvin. After they left the church, Calvin walked with Eckius a mile out of the territories of Geneva, where they took a farewell of each other.

Will.—“I give thanks to God, that taking pity on me whom he hath created and placed in this world, he hath delivered me out of the thick darkness of idolatry into which I was plunged, and hath brought me into the light of his gospel, and made me a partaker of the doctrine of salvation, whereof I was most unworthy. And he hath not only gently and graciously borne with my faults and sins, for which I deserved to be rejected of him, and cast out, but hath vouchsafed to use my labors in preaching and publishing the truth of the gospel. And I declare that it is my wish and intention to continue in the same faith and religion, having no other hope or refuge but in his gratuitous adoption of me, upon which is founded all my salvation; embracing the grace which he has given me in Jesus Christ, and accepting the merit of his death and passion, that so all my sins may be buried; and beseeching him so to wash and cleanse me in the blood of that great Redeemer, which was shed for all poor sinners, that in his image I may appear before his face. I declare also, that, according to the measure of grace bestowed upon me, I have endeavored to teach his word in its purity, as well in sermons as in writings, and endeavored faithfully to expound the Holy Scriptures: and that, in all the disputes which I have had with the enemies of truth, I have never used either craftiness or sophistry, but have fairly maintained the truth. But alas! my zeal, if it deserve the name, has been so cold and unworthy, that I feel myself highly indebted in all, and through all; and if it were not for his infinite bounty, all the zeal I have discovered would appear as light as smoke, and the graces which he has bestowed upon me would only render me more guilty. So that my only refuge is, that he being the Father of mercy, I trust he will be and appear the Father of so miserable a sinner."

On the 2d of February, 1564, he delivered his last sermon and theological lecture. His asthma having deprived him of the use of his voice, he seldom spoke, although carried to the house of

worship. Being of a feeble temperament, and strongly inclined to consumption, he slept very unsoundly. During ten years he ate no dinner, taking no nourishment until supper-time. He was subject to headache, the only remedy for which was fasting; on account of which he remained sometimes thirty-six hours without eating. He was frequently attacked by a distressing malady, brought on partly by preaching, and five years before his death he was seized with a spitting of blood. He was no sooner cured of the quartan ague, than he was attacked by the gout; he was afterward afflicted with the colic and the stone. When importuned not to dictate or write during his illness: "Would you," said he, "that when the Lord comes, he should surprise me in idleness ?"

Having received a final visit from the syndics, from all the ministers of Geneva and its vicinity, and from his beloved friend Farel, he seemed to have closed his connexion with merely earthly objects. From that time to the period of his death, he was incessantly employed in prayer to God. It was indeed in a low voice, interrupted by a shortness of breath, with which he was oppressed; but his sparkling eyes, constantly directed toward heaven, and the serenity of his countenance, discovered the ardor of his petitions and his confidence in the mercy of God. In his most violent pains he frequently repeated those words of David: "I was dumb, Lord, because thou didst it." And sometimes those of Isaiah : "I mourn like the dove." And frequently, lifting up his heart to God, he would exclaim: "Lord, thou bruisest me, but I suffer with patience, since it is thy hand that hath done it." To admit all the persons who wished to express their regret at losing him, the door of the chamber must have been open night and day. But as he spoke with difficulty, he requested that his friends would be contented to pray to God for him and spare themselves the trouble of visiting him. On being visited by Beza, he informed him that he made it a matter of conscience not to divert him in the smallest degree from the duties of his charge, so much had he the interest of the church and the glory of God at heart. In that state he continued until the 19th of May, exhibiting a perfect resignation and comforting his friends. On that day, in token of their friendship, he was anxious that they should sup in the hall of his house; and being carried thither from his chamber, on entering he said: "I am come to see you, my brethren, and to seat myself at the table

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with you for the last time." He then offered up the usual prayer, ate a little, discoursed in a manner worthy of his piety and of his zeal; and when his weakness obliged him to retire to his chamber, looking at the company with a smile: "The wall," said he, " will not prevent my being united with you in spirit."

After that night he remained confined to his bed, so thin and exhausted that breath only remained, though his face was not much altered. On the day of his death, the 24th of May, he appeared to speak with less difficulty and more strength; but it was the last effort of nature. About eight in the evening the signs of death appeared suddenly in his face; he continued speaking, however, with great propriety until his last breath, when he appeared rather to fall asleep than die. Thus was that great light of the protestant church extinguished, aged fifty-five, on the 24th of May, in the year of our Lord 1564.

On the day following, the whole city was plunged into inconceivable grief. The republic regretted the wisest of its citizens; the church its faithful pastor; the school its incomparable master; and all bewailed their common father, the instrument of their joy and consolation.

One of the most curiously interesting and painful considerations attached to the name and memory of Calvin is this: the ceaseless hatred and obloquy with which so great a luminary of the Christian church in every generation has been assailed. Notwithstanding all their persecutions, others have received their eulogium since their death; but Calvin is yet the constant source of the most noisy vituperation. O that the Lord may pardon the calumniators of those worthies who adorned the sixteenth century!

FEMALE EDUCATION IN A NUNNERY.-The daughter of Dr. Traill, presbyterian minister, of Panbride, Forfar, Scotland, was sent by her father to Italy, for the purpose of completing her education. After publicly disputing with popish priests, for the purpose of vindicating the protestant faith, she avowed her conviction that the Romish creed was the true religion; and since her return to Scotland, has regularly attended the mass-house, and is a complete convert to all the disgusting and impure tenets of popery! Keep your daughters away from jesuit priests.