of that dreadful death,
and under the more terrible condemnation of the church, he manifested a
faith and courage which the young student painfully contrasted with his
own despair and darkness, while living in strictest obedience to the
church. Upon the Bible, he knew, the heretics rested their faith. He
determined to study it, and discover, if he could, the secret of their
joy.

In the Bible he found Christ. "O Father," he cried, "His sacrifice has
appeased Thy wrath; His blood has washed away my impurities; His cross has
borne my curse; His death has atoned for me. We had devised for ourselves
many useless follies, but Thou hast placed Thy word before me like a
torch, and Thou hast touched my heart, in order that I may hold in
abomination all other merits save those of Jesus."(333)

Calvin had been educated for the priesthood. When only twelve years of age
he had been appointed to the chaplaincy of a small church, and his head
had been shorn by the bishop in accordance with the canon of the church.
He did not receive consecration, nor did he fulfil the duties of a priest,
but he became a member of the clergy, holding the title of his office, and
receiving an allowance in consideration thereof.

Now, feeling that he could never become a priest, he turned for a time to
the study of law, but finally abandoned this purpose, and determined to
devote his life to the gospel. But he hesitated to become a public
teacher. He was naturally timid, and was burdened with a sense of the
weighty responsibility of the position, and he desired still to devote
himself to study. The earnest entreaties of his friends, however, at last
won his consent. "Wonderful it is," he said, "that one of so lowly an
origin should be exalted to so great a dignity."(334)

Quietly did Calvin enter upon his work, and his words were as the dew
falling to refresh the earth. He had left Paris, and was now in a
provincial town under the protection of the princess Margaret, who, loving
the gospel, extended her protection to its disciples. Calvin was still a
youth, of gentle, unpretentious bearing. His work began with the people at
their homes. Surrounded by the members of the household, he read the
Bible, and opened the truths of salvation. Those who heard the message,
carried the good news to others, and soon the teacher passed beyond the
city to the outlying towns and hamlets. To both the castle and the cabin
he found entrance, and he went forward, layin