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 priests,
"seeing the preaching of it does not bring peace, but war."(345) 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 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 chosen,--a 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 co