John leaned upon the stone balustrade. He brushed back his black hair, shoving it under his pastor's cap to keep it from blowing in his eyes. Below the moon splashed world rolled away to insurmountable white peaks; above him the deep blue sky glittered with stars. He stood very still, his arms at his sides, staring up at the heavens, then down at the blinking lights below.

``How long, my Lord? How long? I have never asked for an easy task, but I am weary of the strife.''

Sleep was difficult these days. Indigestion plagued him. Severe headaches were frequent. Loneliness tore through him like a physical pain whenever he thought of Peter Robert, Nerien, Nicholas Cop, Martin Bucer, and even the compromising Louis du Tillet. An occasional traveler from Italy brought news of Peter Robert, who was now distributing his Bible among the Waldensian peasants. Letters came regularly from Nerien, Nicholas, and Martin. He had Anthony and William to confide in and consult. But William continued to find a bitter joy in smashing images and tearing down symbols sacred to the Old Church. John found it difficult, but he held him in check. And Anthony was busy most of the time courting this girl and that. His easy good looks made him a favorite with the ladies.

Geneva, instead of becoming the City of God, as John had dreamed, had in the two years since he had been there, continued to be a godless place where all manner of vice flourished. Refugees poured in, signing the Confession and rules in order to remain, and then disregarding them. Dice rolled, prostitutes plied their trade, thieves stole, murderers stabbed, and the ungodly blasphemed. Catholics who were truly Christians longed for the simple penance of days gone by. Libertines recalled the heroism of the past and demanded: ``Are we going to allow the Protestant Pope, Master Calvin, to curtail our liberty? Why, oh why, doesn't he stick to preaching the Gospel, instead of meddling in civic affairs, politics, economics, and social issues that are no concern of the Church?'' And John's reply was always the same: ``Anything that affects souls is the concern of the Church! We will have righteousness!''