Great mystery surrounds this noble woman; very little is know about her life, but her virtues and character still remain. John Calvin, when first approached on the subject of seeking a wife said that he wished for “a wife who would be gentle, pure, modest, economical, patient, and to whom the care of her husband would be the chief matter”. He was offered a young lady of noble birth but he refused telling his good friend that, “[she] was rich, young and of noble birth, and [her] dower surpassed all that I could desire. Two things, however, urged me to refuse. She could not speak French, and it seemed to me she must be rather proud of her birth and education.” It was not until he met Idelette that he found the qualities that he desired.
Calvin has often been charge with being a cold, harsh husband. Yet D’Aubigne say’s “This seem to me doubtful; when once married, he had a genuine affection for his wife. There was, we believe, a loftly intellect and a sublime genius, but also that love of kindred, those affections of the heart that complete the man.”
The high ideals of Calvin show just how noble must have been Miss D’Bures (Van Buren) for him to marry her. She was a widow (previously married to John Storder a former Anabaptist but converted to the Reformed faith by the teaching of Calvin). She lived such a retired life that at first Calvin did not even consider her a candidate. He was drawn to her in remembrance that she fled from her native home in Liege to escape the persecution for her Protestant faith. Seeing she had a deep, genuine faith and Christian courage, he proposed to her.
The two where married on August 1, 1540. The wedding was a grand event; even being attended by deputies from the surrounding towns. The wedding was not over long when Calvin was summoned away on business and had to leave his wife. Who, with great affection he said was “the excellent companion of his life, that ever faithful assistant of his ministry.” While Calvin was away an awful plague broke out in Strasburg. The theologian become very concerned for his wife saying: “Day and night I see my wife before my eyes, who is in the midst of these dangers without help and advice, because her husband is away. I make great efforts to resist my grievous anxiety. I have recourse to prayer and holy meditation.” Calvin’s prayers where heard and his wife didn’t catch the plague. She was waiting for him when he returned home.
It was after this that Calvin was asked to return to Geneva. He went; again leaving his wife behind. Idelette stayed in Strasburg only for a time; the council of Geneva kindly sent three horses and a carriage to move her and her household to the Geneva. A lovely house with a garden was given to the couple for residence. It was during this time that she revealed much of her Christian character. She kept house for her beloved husband, watched over his bed when he was ill, and comforted him during trials. She was a very faithful help-meet and desired to do everything in her power to assist and build up the ministry of her husband.
Idelette and Calvin desired greatly to have children, but each child died not long after being born. In 1542 Idelette become ill, Calvin wrote to his friend Viret: “Salute all the brethren – salute also they wife, to whom mine sends her thanks for the sweet and holy consolation which she received from her. She would write to acknowledge these with her own hand, but she had not strength to dictate a few words. In that He hath taken away our son, He hath stricken us sorely, but He is our Father. He knoweth what is meet for His children.” This was the belief of the great reformer – he, and his wife, had absolute trust in the Sovereignty of God. Two years after this another child was born, but not long later she also died, and the next years yet another little baby died. Yet despite the many sorrows they couple faced at the loss of their children they trusted God and His perfect plan.
The next sorrow Calvin would have to face alone – with out his beloved wife beside him. For it was her death that caused the sorrow that followed. In 1549 Idelette become very ill. She had the best of care but there was little anyone could do for her. The years of sorrow, sickness, and pain had taken their toll on her body; she died on April 5, 1549. She asked Calvin before she died to take care of her children from her previous marriage – which he promised to do. She departed to be with her Lord trusting folly in His sovereign grace for her salvation.
