JOHN CALVIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14143, 19 August 1909, Page 6

JOHN CALVIN.

QUATER-CENTENARY CELEBRATION.

The quater-centenary of John Calvin was celebrated by Auckland' Presbyterians in St. Andrew's Church, Lower Symondsstreet, last evening. Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, there was a large congregation. The Rev. R. Sommerville, clerk of the Auckland Presbytery, presided. During the evening able and eloquent addresses were delivered upon the life and work of the great reformer, the Rev. A. Macaulay Caldwell dealing with "Calvin's Character and Career," the Rev. D. D. .Scott with " Calvin, the Theologian," the Rev. W. Gray Dixon with "Calvin, the Churchman," and the Rev. W. Trotter with "Calvinism: The Mother of Heroes and Martyrs." The speakers laid stress upon the fact that in judging Calvin and Calvinism one must judge the man and bis doctrines in relation to the age in which he dwelt. ' Born in 1509, and receiving a good education, he early manifested signs of the great work for which he was intended, and at the age of 28 years he proceeded to Geneva, where he laboured for. the remainder of his life, dying at the age of 55. All the speakers described Calvin as a man of great attainments and insighta man who not only transformed Geneva into a pure and clean city, but whose doctrines and high example also permeated throughout Europe and the British Isles, and worked a wonderful power for good. The Presbyterian Church owed much to Calvinism. It produced many great reformers and heroes, and among -them was John Knox. Appropriate hymns and anthems were sung by the congregation,_ and by the combined Presbyterian choirs, under the conductor-ship of Mr. W. T. Sharp.