"OF WHOM THE WORLD WAS NOT WORTHY"

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APRIL

4, 1687 --England. James II repeats his brother's Declaration of Indulgence that all laws penalizing Non-conformists and Roman Catholics are to be suspended. This Second Declaration of Indulgence grants complete freedom of worship. This time without issuing licenses and without fear of future conviction for unlawful worship, Non-conformists may worship in England. His motive, however, is purely out of interest for his Roman Catholic brethren.
          The Church of England which had formerly designated Non-conformists as "schismatics and fanatics" now considers them dear fellow Protestants, weak brethren, perhaps, but brethren whose principles were entitled to be tenderly regarded.
         When in April of 1688, James orders all bishops to have this Declaration read in all the churches, and seven bishops refuse to do so, he will have them imprisoned in the Tower of London. The charge: sedition. It will be this act that will finally lead to revolution and his overthrow.

4, 1819 --Burma. Adoniram Judson begins public worship in the language of the Burmese. Fifteen adults are present in addition to children.

4, 1834 --Prussia. Three pastors, four theological candidates and thirty-nine laymen unite in a synod at Breslau and solemnly protest the violation of the rights granted to the Lutheran Church in Prussia. Their petition is sent to the authorities in Berlin and is flatly refused, and the cabinet orders of March 9th and 10th are now implemented.
         The first deals a blow against "conventicles", while the second is directed against "unauthorized administration of spiritual official acts." A third refers to the obligation of all Evangelical parents to send their children to Evangelical schools. Lutheran church services are suppressed, official acts of Lutheran clergy are declared invalid, and no child is allowed to leave school until he has been confirmed by a clergyman of the Evangelical State church.
        In 1835, another synod will be formed at Breslau, but all participating ministers are imprisoned. Some congregations thus compelled to emigrate will go to Australia under the leadership of Pastor Kavel and Pastor Fritzsche. Others will follow Mr. Grabau and enter the Buffalo Synod in North America.

4, 1848 --Scotland. Andrew Bonar marries Isabella Dickson in her home. She has nursed her mother until her death last year.

5, 1242 --Russia. The Teutonic Knights, originally crusaders, have now turned militaristic. They have overrun East Prussia and portions of Russia on the pretense of converting them to Christianity. The people in the land surrounding Novgorod have called upon their prince, Alexander Yaroslavitch Nevsky, to lead them against the invaders. A large militia supplements the regular army and today they meet the Germans on the ice of Lake Chud. In the fierce battle that ensues, many Germans are driven through the ice and drowned.

5, 1541 --Germany. The Conference of Regensburg opens and marks the culmination of attempts to restore religious unity in Germany by means of conferences.
        The out come of the conference might have become dangerous to Protestants but Emperor Charles V has been facing a threatening war with the Turks and the French king has been negotiating with the Evangelicals; therefore he is concerned not to force the Protestants into an alliance with his enemies. The Emperor will therefore change some resolutions in their favor.

5, 1845 --Pennsylvania. The Synod of Pennsylvania of the Calvinistic Methodist church is formed at Pottsville.


 

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