366 THE REFORMATION IN FRENCH SWITZERLAND.
The sojourn of Calvin in this city was a fruitful episode in his life, and an education for more successful work in Genpva. His views were enlarged and deepened. He gained valuable experience. He came in contact with the Lutheran Church and its leaders. He learned to understand and appreciate them, but was unfavorably impressed with the want of discipline and the slavish dependence of the clergy upon the secular rulers. He labored indefatigably and successfully as professor, pastor, and author. He informed Farel (April 20, 1539) that, when the messenger called for copy of his book (the second edition of the Institutes), he had to read fifty pages, then to teach and to preach, to write four letters, to adjust some quarrels, and was interrupted by visitors more than ten times. ^
It is in the fitness of things that three learned professors of the University of Strassburg, who lived during the French and German regime, and were equall}^ at home in the language and theology of both nations, should give to the world the last and best edition of Calvin's works.
Calvin's economic condition during these three years was very humble. It is a shame for the congregation and the city government that they allowed such a man to struggle for his daily bread. For the first five months he received no pay at all, only free board in the house of a liberal friend. His countrymen were poor, but might have done something. He informed Farel, in April, 1539, that of his many friends in France, not one had offered him a copper, except Louis Du Tillet, who hoped to induce him to return. Hence he declined.2 The city paid him a very meagre salary of fifty-
30 tag Julij Anno 39 ist Johannes Galvinus uff unser Herren der statt Straszburg Saal erschinnen, und sich angeben lut der Ordnung und will dienen mit den schnydern."
1 Herminjard, V. 286 sq. ; Opera, X., Pars II. 337.
2 " Cum innumeros aliquando amicos in Gallia habuerim, nemo fuit qui assem mihi obiulerit ; et tamen si fecissent, poterant frui gratuita beneficentice Jactantia : nihil enim illis constitisset offerre quod acceptassem. Exciderat mihi Ludovicus
§ 86. CHURCH OF THE STRANGERS IN STRASSBURG. 367
two guilders (about two hundred marks) for his professorial duties from May, 1539.^ His books were not profitable. When the Swiss heard of his embarrassment, they wished to come to his aid, and Fabri sent ten ducats to Farel for Calvin.2 But he preferred to sell his greatest treasure — the library — which he had left in Geneva, and to take students as boarders (^pensionnaires}. He trusted to God for the future.^
With all his poverty he was happy in his independence, the society of congenial friends, and his large field of usefulness.
§ 86. The Church of the Strangers in Strassburg.
Calvin combined the offices of pastor and professor of theology in Strassburg, as he had done in Geneva. The former activity kept him in contact with his French countrymen; the latter extended his influence among the scholars in Germany.
[Du Tillet] ; ille unus fuit qui ohtulit ; sed ipse quoque suam largitionem niniis magno venditabat : siquidem me tantum non ad recantandum fiortabatur ." Herniinjard, V. 291 sq. See the letter of Du Tillet from Paris, Oct. 20, 1538, in which he offers him to furnish ^'■assez a toute vostre necessite'" (ibid. p. 107).
^ May 1, 1539 : ' ' Joannes Calvinus so ein geldhrter frommer Gesell sein soil und zu Zeiten auch in Theologia lese, zudem auch zu den Reuwern franzosisch predige, haben die Herren . . . ist beschlossen dasz man demselben nuhn filrter ein Jar lang die 52 fi. alsz ein zuhelffer geben und soil prima Maij angehen." From the Thomas-Archiv, in Annal. fol. 246.
2 " Decern coronates." Libertet (Christophe Fabri) to Farel, May 8, 1539, in Herminjard, V. 307.
3 "It is very agreeable to me," he wrote to Farel, who had communicated to his colleagues Calvin's wants, " I confess, that my brethren entertahi such a regard for me, that they are ready to supply my wants from their own means. It could not be otherwise than that I must be greatly delighted with such a testimony of their love (quin tali ainoris testimonio delecter). Nevertheless, I have determined to abstain from putting both your kindness and theirs in requisition, unless a greater necessity shall compel me. Wendelin [Wendelin Rihel], the printer, to whom I intrusted my book [the second edition of the Institutio'] to be printed, will provide me with as much as will be sufficient for any extraordinary expenses. From my books which yet remain at Geneva, there will be enough to satisfy my landlord till next winter. As to the future, the Lord will provide." (Herminjard, I.e.)