442 THE REFORMATION IN FRENCH SWITZERLAND.
Decian persecution, but died heroically as a martyr in the Valerian persecution.
In 1545 Geneva was again visited b}^ a pestilence, which some Swiss soldiers brought from France. The horrors were aggravated b}' a diabolical conspiracy of wicked persons, including some women, connected with the pest-house, for spreading the plague by artificial means, to gain spoils from the dead. The conspirators used the infected linen of those who had died of the disease, and smeared the locks of the houses with poison. A woman confessed, under torture, that she had killed eighteen men by her infernal arts. The ravages were fearful ; Geneva was decimated ; two thousand died out of a population of less than twenty thousand. Seven men and twenty-one women were burned alive for this offence. The physician of the lazaretto and two assistants were quartered.
Calvin formed a modest estimate of his labors during the
first years, as may be seen from his letters. He wrote to
Myconius, the first minister of Basel, March 14, 1542 : ^ —
" The present state of our affairs I can give you in a few words. For the first month after resuming the ministry, I had so much to attend to, and so many annoyances, that I was almost worn out ; such a work of labor and difficulty has it been to upbuild once more a fallen edifice {collapsum edificium instaurare). Although certainly Viret had already begun successfully' to restore, yet, nevertheless, because he had deferred the complete form of order and discipline until my arrival, it had, as it were, to be commenced anew. "When, having overcome tliis labor, I believed that there would be breiitiiingtime allowed me, lo ! new cares presented themselves, and those of a kind not much lighter than the former. This, however, somewliat consoles and refreshes me, that we do not labor altogether in vain, without some fruit appearing ; which, altliough it is not so plentiful as we could wish, yet neither is it so scanty but that there does appear some change for the better. There is a brighter prospect for the future if Viret can be left here with me; on which account I am all the more desirous to express to you my most thankful acknowledgment, because you share with me in my an.xiety that the Bernese may not call him away ; and I earnestly pray, for the sake of Christ, that you would do your utmost to bring that about; for whenever the thought of his going away presents itself, I faint and lose courage entirely. . . . Our
1 Herminjard, VII. 437 sq. ; Opera, XI. 376 sq. ; Bonnet-Constable, I.
289 sq.
§ 97. SURVEY OF CALVIN'S ACTIVITY. 443
other colleagues are rather a hindrance than a help to us ; they are rude and self-conceited, have no zeal and less learning. But what is worst of all, I cannot trust them, even although I very much wish that I could ; for by many evidences they show their estrangement from us, and give scarcely any indication of a sincere and trustworthy disposition. 1 bear with them, however, or rather I humor them, with the utmost lenity ; a course from which I shall not be induced to depart, even by their bad conduct. But if, in the long run, the sore need a severer remedy, I shall do my utmost, and sliall see to it by every method I can think of, to avoid disturbing the peace of the Church with our quarrels; for I dread the factions which must always necessarily arise from the dissensions of ministers. On my first arrival I might have driven them away had I wished to do so, and that is also even now in my power. I shall never, however, repent the degree of moderation which I have observed, since no one can justly complain that I have been too severe. These things I mention to you in a cursory way, that you may the more clearly perceive how wretched I shall be if Viret is taken away from me."
A month later (April 17, 1542), he wrote to Myconius:^ —
"In what concerns the private condition of this Church, I somehow, along with Viret, sustain the burden of it. If he is taken away from me, my situation will be more deplorable than I can describe to you, and even should he remain, there is some hazard that very much may not be obtained in the midst of so much secret animosity [between Geneva and Bern]. But that I may not torment myself beforehand, the Lord will see to it, and provide some one on whom I am compelled to cast this care."
In February, 1543, he wrote to Melanchthon : —
" As to our own affairs, there is much that I might write, but the sole cause which imposes silence upon me is, that I could find no end. I labor here and do my utmost, but succeed indifferently. Nevertheless, all are astonished that my progress is so great in the midst of so many impediments, the greater part of which arise from the ministers themselves. This, however, is a great alleviation of my troubles, that not only this Church, but also the whole neighborhood, derive some benefit from my presence. Besides that, somewhat overflows from hence upon France, and even spreads as far as Italy. " ^
§ 97. Survey of Calvin s Activity. Calvin combined the offices of theological professor, preacher, pastor, church-ruler, superintendent of schools, with the extra labors of equal, yea, greater, importance, as
1 Herminjard, VII. 453; Ojoera, XI. 384 ; Bonnet-Constable, I. 297.
2 Bonnet-Constable, I. 351 ; Opera, XI. 516. The last sentence, "as far as Italy," is confirmed by a most grateful letter of evangelical believers in Venice, Vicenza, and Treviso, " to the saints of tlie Church of God in Geneva," dated Venice, 8 Id. December, 1542. See Opera, XI. 472-474.