Schaff - History of the Christian Church Vol. 8 - Media Sabda Org

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detriment of her Protestant character, but was reconquered by Emperor
William I. and incorporated with united Germany as the capital of Alsace
and Lorraine in 1870. The university was newly organized and better
equipped than ever before. f499
Calvin arrived at Strassburg in the first days of September, 1538. f500 He
spent there three years in useful labors. He was received with open arms by
Bucer, Capito, Hedio, Sturm, and Niger, the leading men in the Church,
and appointed by the Council professor of theology, with a moderate
salary. He soon felt at home, and in the next summer bought the
citizenship, and joined the guild of the tailors. f501
The sojourn of Calvin in this city was a fruitful episode in his life, and an
education for more successful work in Geneva. 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. f502
It is in the fitness of things that three learned professors of the University
of Strassburg, who lived during the French and German régime, and were
equally 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. f503 The city paid him a very meagre salary of
fifty-two guilders (about two hundred marks) for his professorial duties
from May, 1539. f504 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. f505 But he preferred to sell his greatest