hether the magistrates or the mob.

Recent information from Geneva, and the other cantons of Switzerland,
inform us that the spirit of persecution is still exhibited by the
_liberal_ party in that country. Those who adhere to the Helvetic
Confession, and preach conformably to the doctrines of the creed of the
established church, are called "Momiers," "enthusiasts," and other terms
equally, unkind and unchristian. The _liberal_, or infidel party, do not
confine themselves simply to reproaches. They disturb the places of
public worship--they stone the people as they return from their
devotions--they arraign them before civil tribunals for preaching Christ
and him crucified--they impose fines upon them, subject them to
imprisonment, banishment, and even death itself. All this is done too,
in the 19th century, and by those who claim to be the only enlightened
and liberal party on the continent.

CHAPTER XXII.

SKETCHES OF THE LIVES OF SOME OF THE MOST EMINENT REFORMERS.

It will not be inappropriate to devote a few pages of this work to a
brief detail of the lives of some of those men who first stepped
forward, regardless of the bigoted power which opposed all reformation,
to stem the tide of papal corruption, and to seal the pure doctrines of
the gospel with their blood. Among these, Great Britain has the honor of
taking the lead, and first maintaining that freedom in religious
controversy which astonished Europe, and demonstrated that political and
religious liberty are equally the growth of that favored island. Among
the earliest of these eminent persons was

_John Wickliffe._

This celebrated reformer, denominated the Morning Star of the
Reformation, was born about the year 1324, in the reign of Edward II. Of
his extraction we have no certain account. His parents designing him for
the church, sent him to Queen's College, Oxford, about that period
founded by Robert Eaglesfield, confessor to queen Philippi. But not
meeting with the advantages for study in that newly established house
which he expected, he removed to Merton College, which was then esteemed
one of the most learned societies in Europe.

The first thing which drew him into public notice, was his defence of
the University against the begging friars, who about this time, from
their settlement in Oxford in 1230, had been troublesome neighbours to
the University. Feuds were continually fomented; the friars appealing to
the pope, the scholars to