Calvin’s first thought for insuring a prosperous state of things in Geneva--and this deserves to be noticed--was that it was essential to pay great attention to Christian instruction. He had no sooner returned from his journey than he began to draw up a catechism, to which he added a confession of faith.[445] Although his own word was full of force and authority, it was to the understanding, to the conscience, and to conviction that he appealed. The Holy Scriptures possessed in his eyes an infallible authority to which every soul of man is bound to submit. Nevertheless, he did not mean that men were to submit in a slavish manner, as Rome required; He would have them understand the Holy Scriptures in order that they might grasp their truth and beauty. ‘It is mere nothing,’ said he, ‘that words are thrown out, until our minds are enlightened by the gift of intelligence. If we cannot comprehend with our own understanding and know what is right, how should our will suffice to obey?’[446] It was not difficult for the author of the _Institution Chrétienne_ to compose, according to the same notions, a book designed for religious instruction. Calvin therefore prepared a catechism in French, which was not divided into question and answer. It seemed, from the way in which it was drawn up, less fitted to be placed in the hands of children than of masters, as a clue; or rather in the hands of adults, to aid their attempts after self-instruction. It appears, nevertheless, that the book was also used by children. It has hitherto been found impossible to discover a single copy of it. It is conjectured that the leaves of the book were used up, being torn out with the wear and tear of daily lessons, as frequently happens still with school-books.[447] [Sidenote: CALVIN’S CATECHISM.]