Many of the learned men of the time either mocked or cursed him, but they soon came to admire and praise him when they saw me at the age of twelve and thirteen engaging confidently in public debate in both theology and philosophy, under the presidency in Kolozsvar of the famous Unitarian professor Bongardus and in Fejervar of that great man of learning Johannes Bisterfeidiuslll , who sent out the theses in advance and always called on me by name. Once the Prince himself, Gyorgy Rak6czi, came to the college in Fejervar, with lords, the bishop and pastors, and there was scarcely room in the auditorium for any students except the debaters because of the many visiting listeners and spectators. I was seated in the front among the debaters facing the Prince. One thesis that I opposed was "An ignis infernalis post resurrectionem corporum sit materialis vel forma lis ? H AffirmaturI12". I cannot remember the other thesis which I opposed, but it is a fact that I spoke for a long time cum applausu et admiratione omnium et ipsius principis l13 , who also said that if he could buy it from me for his son Ferenc he would give me an estate worth ten thousand forints. Pal Kereszturi had actually prepared me for the debate at home, but there in publico he sat at a distance, and no one suggested anything, but when poor Bisterfeldius the president helped me, who, Christian and great man of learning that he was, delighted in me as in a jay, he gave thanks to God and praised me uncommonly and loved me. I debated against Bongardus de deitate Christi, and he praised me in the manner customary and fitting for a child. Suffice it that I was publicly named 'the little philospher'; I certainly believe that I was then even farther from that than I am now, thanks be to God.