Text transcribed from caption: LEADERS OF THE REFORMATION #3092 Guillaume Farel Guillaume Farel (1489-1565), although born and educated in France, became a bold and successful preacher of the Reformed faith at Basel and other Swiss towns. But his most important contribution to the Reformation might perhaps be said to be his influence on Calvin, for he was responsible for the beginning of Calvin’s ministry at Geneva. Farel’s first great public conflict with the Church came in 1524 when, at Basel, he put forth 13 theses which sharply antagonized Roman leaders. He defended his arguments with so much heat that even the more or less neutral Erasmus demanded his expulsion from the city. His second notable clash came ten years later when, on New Year’s Day, 1534, the bishop of Geneva prohibited all preaching unauthorized by himself, and ordered the burning of all Protestant Bibles. Farel took the leading part on the Reformation side, with the result that by the decree of Aug. 27, 1535, the mass was suppressed and the Reformed religion established. It was in Geneva that Calvin came under Farel’s sway. On his way to Basel, where he planned to spend a life of study, Calvin was persuaded by Farel to give up his plans. And from that point Calvin went on to become the leader of the Genevan Reformation. Later, no one was more frequently and confidentially consulted by Calvin than Farel. Calvin’s death in 1564 greatly affected Farel, and he died on Sept. 13, 1565. (One of a Series) Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RNS-MES-7E-6-WD)