superstitious country people were roused to oppose it . " That cannot be the gospel of Christ ," urged the priest , " seeing the preaching of it does not bring peace , but war ." --Wylie , b . 14 , ch . 3 . Like the first disciples , when persecuted in one city he fled to another . From village to village , from city to city , he went , traveling on foot , enduring hunger , cold , and weariness , and everywhere in peril of his life . He preached in the market places , in the churches , sometimes in the pulpits of the cathedrals . Sometimes he found the church empty of hearers ; at times his preaching was interrupted by shouts and jeers ; again he was pulled violently out of the pulpit . More than once he was set upon by the rabble and beaten almost to death . Yet he pressed forward . Though often repulsed , with unwearying persistence he returned to the attack ; and , one after another , he saw towns and cities which had been strongholds of popery , opening their gates to the gospel . The little parish where he had first laboured soon accepted the reformed faith . The cities of Morat and Neuchatel also renounced the Romish rites and removed the idolatrous images from their churches .
Farel had long desired to plant the Protestant standard in Geneva . If this city could be won , it would be a centre for the Reformation in France , in Switzerland , and in Italy . With this object before him , he had continued his labours until many of the surrounding towns and hamlets had been gained . Then with a single companion he entered Geneva . But only two sermons was he permitted to preach . The priests , having vainly endeavoured to secure his condemnation by the civil authorities , summoned him before an ecclesiastical council , to which they came with arms concealed under their robes , determined to take his life . Outside the hall , a furious mob , with clubs and swords , was gathered to make sure of his death if he should succeed in escaping the council . The presence of magistrates and an armed force , however , saved him . Early next morning he was conducted , with his companion , across the lake to a place of safety . Thus ended his first effort to evangelise Geneva .
For the next trial a lowlier instrument was chosen--a young man , so humble in appearance that he was coldly treated even by the professed friends of reform . But what could such a one do where Farel had been rejected ? How could one of little courage and experience withstand the tempest before which the strongest and bravest had been forced to flee ? " Not by might , nor by power , but by My Spirit , saith the Lord ." Zechariah 4:6 . " God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty ." " Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men ; and the weakness of God is stronger than men ." 1 Corinthians 1:27 , 25 .
Froment began his work as a schoolmaster . The truths which he taught the children at school they repeated at their homes . Soon the parents came to hear the Bible explained , until the schoolroom was filled with attentive listeners . New Testaments and tracts were freely distributed , and they reached many who dared not come openly to listen to the new doctrines . After a time this labourer also was forced to flee ; but the truths he taught had taken hold upon the minds of the people . The Reformation had been planted , and it continued to strengthen and extend . The preachers returned , and through their labours the Protestant worship was finally established in Geneva . The
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