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

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§ 96. THE FIRST YEARS AFTER THE RETURN.
Calvin entered at once upon his labors, and continued them without
interruption for twenty-three years—till his death, May 27, 1564.
The first years were full of care and trial, as he had anticipated. His duties
were more numerous and responsible than during his first sojourn. Then he
was supported by the older Farel; now he stood at the head of the Church
at Geneva, though yet a young man of thirty-two. He had to reorganize the
Church, to introduce a constitution and order of worship, to preach, to
teach, to settle controversies, to conciliate contending parties, to provide
for the instruction of youth, to give advice even in purely secular affairs.
No wonder that he often felt discouraged and exhausted, but trust in God,
and a sense of duty kept him up.
Viret was of great service to him, but he was called back to Lausanne in
July, 1542. His other colleagues—Jacques Bernard, Henri de la Mare, and
Aimé Champereau—were men of inferior ability, and not reliable. In 1542
four new pastors were appointed,—Pierre Blanchet, Matthias de
Greneston, Louis Trappereau, and Philippe Ozias (or Ozeas). In 1544
Geneva had twelve pastors, six of them for the county Churches. Calvin
gradually trained a corps of enthusiastic evangelists. Farel and Viret visited
Geneva on important occasions. For his last years, he had a most able and
learned colleague in his friend Theodore Beza.
He pursued a wise and conciliatory course, which is all the more creditable
to him when we consider the stern severity of his character and system. He
showed a truly Christian forbearance to his former enemies, and patience
with the weakness of his colleagues. f631
“I will endeavor,” he wrote to Bucer, in a long letter, Oct. 15, 1541, “to
cultivate a good understanding and harmony with my neighbors, and also
brotherly kindness (if they will allow me), with as much fidelity and
diligence as I possibly can. So far as it depends on me, I shall give no
ground of offence to any one … If in any way I do not answer your
expectation, you know that I am in your power, and subject to your
authority. Admonish me, chastise me, exercise towards me all the authority
of a father over his son. Pardon my haste … I am entangled in so many
employments that I am almost beside myself.” f632
To Myconius of Basel he wrote, March 14, 1542: