"OF WHOM THE WORLD WAS NOT WORTHY"
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AUGUST
5, 1731 --Germany. Nearly three hundred representatives of Lutheranism
take a solemn oath in the town of Swarzach to remain constant, and agree
to quickly send a committee to the Emperor in Vienna to appeal the
expulsion of twenty thousand Lutherans by the Archbishop of Salzburg.
The envoys possessing no passports are arrested as rebels and are
returned to Salzburg.
5, 1776 --Connecticut. Joseph Trumbull governor of the state of
Connecticut writes General George Washington during the dark days in
this struggle of Long Island, "Notwithstanding our enemies are numerous,
yet knowing our cause righteous, and trusting Heaven will support us I
do not greatly dread what they can do against us."
On the seventh, General Washington will respond, "To
trust altogether in the justice of our cause, without our own utmost
exertions, would be tempting Providence." Mr. Trumbull will call out
nine more regiments from Connecticut counties nearest New York and
exhorts others to volunteer: "Be roused and alarmed to stand forth in
our just and glorious cause. Join yourselves to someone or other of the
companies of the militia now ordered to New York, or form yourselves
into distinct companies, and choose captains forthwith. March on: this
shall be your warrant. Play the man for God and for the cities of our
God: may the Lord of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel be your
Leader."
Farmers, though their harvest will be half
gathered, and their chance grim to return in time to plant grain before
winter, instantly will rise to arms. They will form nine regiments of
three hundred fifty men each, and all self-equipped they will march to
New York barely in time to meet the advancing British. Their term of
service too short to be considered soldiers, they will rally as hands of
the populace instead of divisions of the army.
5, 1835 --Scotland. At Edinburgh, Thomas McCrie dies. His Life of
John Knox which he has published in two volumes, has placed him in
the front rank of the authors of his day.
6, 1550 --England. Today a public disputation is held between Martin
Bucer and the English bishops still leaning toward Romanism, and exposes
their opposition for evangelical doctrines. "Those persons are not to be
heard who would have the doctrine of election laid as it were asleep,
and seldom or never make its appearance in the congregation of the
faithful."
6, 1651 --France. Francois de Salignac de la Mothe Fenelon is born at
the chateau of Fenelon in Perigord, France. He is from a family of
thirteen other children and will become a leader of the mysticism
popular at this time and will correspond with Madam Guyon while she is
in prison. Fenelon will be of tender sentiments toward the Huguenots who
at this time will be sorely persecuted. For this reason, he will be
closely watched by the Papists who will send him to effect their
"conversion." He will dispense with the usual military escort, but will
write to the Secretary of State Seignelay in 1686, "The representatives
of the King must in no way cease to keep a firm hand on those people
whom the slightest sign of conciliation renders so presumptuous." He
will then give him information of different routes by which the
Huguenots escape and will insist the frontiers be closely guarded "to
render their sojourn in the country as tolerable as possible and their
flight as dangerous as possible . . .." In the case of obstinacy, he
will encourage the clergy to turn to the "salutary pressure" of the
civil authorities.