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

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II. Berthault: Mathurin Cordier. L’enseignement chez les premiers
Calvinistes. Paris, 1876 (85 pp.).—MASSEBIEAU: Les colloques
scolaires du seizième siècle et leurs auteurs. Paris, 1878.—AMIEL et
BOUVIER: L’enseignement superieur à Genève depuis la fondation de
l’académie jusqu’à 1876. Gen., 1878. Comp. HENRY, III. 386 sqq.;
STÄHELIN, II. 487–498; GABEREL, II. 109 sqq.; BUISSON: Séb.
Castellion (Paris, 1892), I. 121–151.
One of the most important institutions of Geneva which strengthened the
Reformed religion at home, and extended it abroad, is the Academy
founded by Calvin. Knowing that the ignorance of the Roman priesthood
was a source of much superstition and corruption, he labored zealously for
the education of the ministry and the whole people, and secured the best
teachers, as Cordier, Saunier, Castellio, and Beza.
There was a college in Geneva, since 1428, called after its founder
“College Versonnex,” for the training of the clergy; but it had fallen into
decay, and was reorganized after Calvin’s return in 1541. Tuition was free.
To avoid overcrowding and to bring the facilities of education within the
reach of every youth, four elementary schools were established for each of
the four quarters of the city. At first a small fee was charged, but it was
abolished by the council after 1571, at the request of Beza. A much larger
attendance was the effect. Calvin is sometimes called the founder of the
common school system.
He wished to establish a full university with four faculties, but the limited
means of the little Republic would not permit that; so he confined himself
to an Academy. He himself collected for it from house to house 10,024
gold guilders, a very large sum for that time. Several foreign residents
contributed liberally: Carraccioli, 2954; Pierre Orsières, 312; Matthieu de
la Roche, 260 guilders. Of the native Genevese, Bonivard, the old
champion of liberty, bequeathed his whole fortune to the institution. f1227
The Council put up a commodious building. Calvin drew up the
programme of studies and the academic statutes, which, after careful
examination, were unanimously approved.
The Academy was solemnly dedicated on June 5, 1559, in the church of St.
Peter, in the presence of the whole Council, the ministers, and six hundred
students. Calvin invoked the blessing of God upon the institution, which
was to be forever dedicated to science and religion, and made some short
and weighty remarks in French. Michael Roset, the Secretary of State, read