AN INCIDENT CONNECTED WITH THE REFORMATION

In the 16th century, when God raised up men whom He taught by His Holy Spirit to publish His Word, and protest against the errors and practices of Rome. Though many of them were scholars and doctors, as Luther, Calvin, and others, yet God then, as He does now, used obscure persons also. The work was great and the laborers few, but the cause was God’s cause, and He used what instruments He pleased.

William Farel, a bold, undaunted preacher himself, had a young friend and helper, who was intelligent and sincere. Him Farel wanted to send to Geneva, to preach and teach the Gospel. Farel had spent some months there himself, and had witnessed several cases of conversion, but through the enmity of the priests, he had been obliged to quit that city. Anthony Fromant, being obscure, and unknown as a Reformer, Farel urged this as a reason why he should go. “Alas!” said Fromant, “how can I face these enemies, from whom you are compelled to flee?” “Fear nothing,” replied Farel; “begin as I began at Aigle, as a teacher,” etc., thus continuing his entreaties.

Fromant at length consented, Farel assuring him that God would be his Guide, and also guard his holy enterprise. Fromant felt humbled. He fell on his knees, and said, “Oh, God, I trust in no human power, but place myself entirely in Thy hands! To thee I commit my cause, for it is Thy cause.” He did not pray alone; the little flock with Farel joined — “Oh, God, give him grace to be useful for the advancement of Thy Word!” They then embraced each other, and Fromant departed for Geneva. It was the first of November, 1532.

When he arrived, strange to say, nothing appeared favorable. Even the few Christians Farel had directed him to treated him coldly, and, not one door opening to him, he became disheartened, and was on the point of returning. He had only gone a few paces when he felt convinced he was doing wrong, and the promise, “I will guide thee in the way thou shouldest go,” sounded in his heart. Farel’s words also came to his mind, “Turn teacher.” He turned again to his lodgings, took his pen, and drew up a prospectus as follows — “A man has just arrived in this city who engages to teach reading and writing, in one month, to all who will come, young or old, even such as have never been to school. If they cannot read within the said month, he asks nothing for his trouble. Many diseases are also cured, gratis.”

When this became known, the room he had taken was soon filled with boys and girls. Before dismissing them, he would read a few verses from the Bible, and explain them in an interesting manner. The children ran home, and told their parents all. The mothers stopped to listen; the fathers made them tell it over again. Some of the boys and girls were continually talking about what their teacher taught them. They even stopped men and women in the streets, inviting them to come and “hear that man.” In a short time the city was full of the teacher who taught and spoke French so well. But the priests and devout Catholics were much irritated.

In the course of his lessons, Fromant read at one time a story from the Old Testament; at another, one of our Lord’s sermons, giving the Scriptures as the Word of the living God, explaining and applying the doctrine affectionately to the consciences of his hearers. They were much astonished, for they had never heard such doctrine. In truth, a most astonishing work was going on in Geneva. Many souls were gained to the Protestant faith.

Paula, the wife of John Levett, had become very zealous for the Word. This lady had received instruction, and faith too, through the teaching of the preceding Evangelists, Farel and others. She earnestly desired to bring her sister-in-law, Claudine, to hear the Gospel. She was an honest, but very superstitious woman.

One day, when Paula was entreating Claudine to come and hear the teacher, the latter said, “I have so great a horror him, for fear of being bewitched, I will neither see nor hear him.” “He speaks like an angel,” replied Paula. “I look upon him as a devil” retorted her sister. “If you hear him you will be saved.” “And I think I shall be damned.” Thus contended these two women. Paula still persevered. “At least hear him once,” and with emotion added, “for the love of me!” She prevailed at last. Claudine, although yielding to her sister’s entreaties, resolved to protect herself thoroughly with all the antidotes she could. She hung relics, crosses and rosaries around her neck, and thus shielded, she went, saying, “I am going to see an enchanter,” so deceived was she.

Claudine entered the hall, and sat down in front of the speaker. Fromant appeared, having a Book in his hand. He stood on a round table, and began his discourse, opening and applying the treasures of the Gospel. Claudine, wishing to make her Catholicism known, crossed herself several times, and also repeated several prayers. Fromant continuing to unfold the Scriptures, Claudine at length raised her eyes, astonished at what she heard. She listened, and before long there was not a more attentive hearer in the congregation. Fromant’s voice alone would have been wasted, had not the Spirit of God enlightened the woman’s understanding by His convincing power. She drank in the Reformer’s words, and yet a sharp struggle was going on within her. “Can this doctrine be true, seeing that the Church says nothing about it?” Her eyes fell on the minister’s Book. It was not a breviary — it seemed to her full of life.

The sermon concluded, the people rose to go out. Claudine remained in her place. She looked at the teacher, and at length exclaimed, “Is it true what you say?” “Yes,” answered the Reformer. “Is it all proved by the Gospel?” “Yes.” “Is not the Mass mentioned in it?” “No.” “And is the Book from which you speak a genuine New Testament?” “Yes.” Claudine eagerly desired to have it. Taking courage, she said, “Lend it to me.” Fromant gave it to her. She placed it carefully under her cloak, among her relics and beads.

As Claudine returned home, she did not talk much with her sister. Hers was one of those deep matters that cannot be disclosed to man, but which must be laid before God. Entering her own house, she went straight to her room, taking nothing but the Book with her, desiring only light and teaching on the great subject which her conscience was burdened with. “On which side is truth — at Wittemburg or at Rome?” Having made arrangements that her family should not wait for meals for her, or knock at her door, she remained apart (says Fromant) for three days and three nights, without eating or drinking, but with prayers and supplications.

The Book lay open before her. She read it constantly, and falling on her knees, asked for the divine light to be shed abroad in her heart. At length she heard and understood that divine word, “Daughter, thy sins are forgiven thee.” Oh, wonderful! This salvation did not puff her up. She discovered that the grace of God trickled slowly into her heart, but the least drop, coming from the Holy Spirit, seemed like a well that never dried up.

She now desired to see the man who had been the means of leading her to the truth. When Fromant entered, Claudine rose in emotion, and, being unable to speak, burst into tears — she had no other language. When she recovered, she begged Fromant to sit down, and told him how God had opened to her the door of heaven. She said, “Can I ever thank God sufficiently for having enlightened me?” Fromant had come to strengthen this lady, and he was himself strengthened. A conversion so spiritual must needs have a great signification for the Reformation in Geneva. As Calvin says, in other circumstances, “From this tiny shoot an excellent Church was to spring up.”

1972

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