urage and experience withstand the tempest before
which the strongest and bravest had been forced to flee? "Not by might,
nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord."(346) "God hath chosen the
weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty."
"Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God
is stronger than men."(347)

Froment began his work as a schoolmaster. The truths which he taught the
children at school, they repeated at their homes. Soon the parents came to
hear the Bible explained, until the schoolroom was filled with attentive
listeners. New Testaments and tracts were freely distributed, and they
reached many who dared not come openly to listen to the new doctrines.
After a time this laborer also was forced to flee; but the truths he
taught had taken hold upon the minds of the people. The Reformation had
been planted, and it continued to strengthen and extend. The preachers
returned, and through their labors the Protestant worship was finally
established in Geneva.

The city had already declared for the Reformation, when Calvin, after
various wanderings and vicissitudes, entered its gates. Returning from a
last visit to his birthplace, he was on his way to Basel, when, finding
the direct road occupied by the armies of Charles V., he was forced to
take the circuitous route by Geneva.

In this visit, Farel recognized the hand of God. Though Geneva had
accepted the reformed faith, yet a great work remained to be accomplished
here. It is not as communities but as individuals that men are converted
to God; the work of regeneration must be wrought in the heart and
conscience by the power of the Holy Spirit, not by the decrees of
councils. While the people of Geneva had cast off the authority of Rome,
they were not so ready to renounce the vices that had flourished under her
rule. To establish here the pure principles of the gospel, and to prepare
this people to fill worthily the position to which Providence seemed
calling them, was no light task.

Farel was confident that he had found in Calvin one whom he could unite
with himself in this work. In the name of God he solemnly adjured the
young evangelist to remain and labor here. Calvin drew back in alarm.
Timid and peace-loving, he shrank from contact with the bold, independent,
and even violent spirit of the Genevese. The feebleness of his health,
together with his studious habits, led him to seek retirement. Believi