-308-

DECEMBER

27, 1571 --Germany. Johannes Kepler is born in Weilderstadt, a "free city" within the Holy Roman Empire. His father is a mercenary soldier; his mother is the daughter of an innkeeper. He will become known as the "Father of Modern Optics."
     At an early age, he will be converted and will become a devout Lutheran. Oftentimes suffering greatly for his faith in Christ, he will nevertheless remain stalwart, and will even write a Bible course for his children to learn.
     He will pen, "Since astronomers are priests of the Highest God in regard to the Book of Nature, it befits us to be thoughtful not of the glory of our minds, but rather, above all else, of the glory of God."
     Again he will write, "Let also my name perish, if only the name of God the Father ...is thereby elevated."
     "I thank Thee, my Creator and Lord," he will pray, "that Thou hast given me this joy in Thy creation, this delight in the works of Thy hands. I have shown the excellency of Thy work unto men, so far as my finite mind was able to comprehend Thine infinity! If I have said aught unworthy of Thee, or aught in which I have sought my own glory, graciously forgive it."

27, 1603 --England. At Warwick, Thomas Cartwright dies. As a foremost leader among the Puritans, he, along with Mr. Walter Travers, drew up a book of discipline. The Episcopal party being greatly alarmed determined to arrest Mr. Cartwright together with others of their leaders, and to destroy the book. A few copies have been preserved. He has stood opposed to the Brownists because of their stand on separation.
     In 1590, summoned before the High Commission he was committed to the Fleet. Though he answered charges against him, he refused to testify against his brethren. He was released from prison in 1592.
     He is said to be the first preacher in England to practice extemporary prayer before his sermon.

27, 1784 --Maryland. Today Thomas Coke ordains Francis Asbury to the Gospel ministry. He will receive an annual salary of sixty-four dollars. In 1785, he will lay the foundation for the first Methodist college in America.
     Several pastors have come together in Baltimore, and in addition to the ordination of Mr. Asbury, they draw up a booklet entitled, "A Form of Discipline for the Minister, Preachers, and Members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in America." No man is allowed to pastor in his church who denies the doctrine of the reality of Sinless Perfection.

27, 1853 --England. At Bath, William Jay will die. An Independent, his preaching has sharply contrasted the cold, formalistic preaching of his day as he has said, "Our business as ministers is to glorify Christ." And again, when referring to the length of sermons, he remarked, "If good, they need not be long; if bad, they ought not be long." Mr. Jay has been an avid reader of Matthew Henry, and has pastored the Independent Chapel here for sixty-two years. He was once accused of preaching long: "You have taken us from Dan to Beersheba;" "Yes," he replied, "but it is all holy ground." It has been his habit to seclude himself from 5:00 A.M. to 12:00 noon.

27, 1868 --Pennsylvania. Phillips Brooks has composed the hymn, "0 Little Town of Bethlehem" for the children of his congregation. Today these children will sing it for the first time. He is pastor of the Holy Trinity Church of Philadelphia.

28, 1524 --Austria. Johann Von Staupitz is smitten with a stroke of apoplexy and dies. In 1503 he was made Vicar-General of the Augustinian Observantist congregations in Germany. His first care was the codification and publication of the constitution, printing it in 1504. In the constitution, he recommended Bible study. Martin Luther has praised him as having led him into knowledge of the grace of God.

28, 1699 --Massachusetts. Thirteen ministers in and close by Boston publish a letter to the churches. On the eighth page, they declare it to be a "Jesuitical principle" for any to maintain "that illiterate men may be serviceable and admirable preachers."

28, 1799 --France. With the return of Napoleon from Egypt, Roman Catholic ecclesiastics are released from prison and freedom is proclaimed. About three hundred and eighty have been transported to Guiana, while many others have died on the islands of Oleron and Rhee.

28, 1800 --India. After years of labor, William Carey baptizes his first convert in India. His name is Krishna Pal. As a carpenter, an accident occurred which had dislocated his arm. The missionary doctor, Mr. Thomas tied him to a tree, then with Mr. Carey and Mr. Marshman, he set it. Already convinced of his sins, he complains more of his sins than his pain. "I am a great sinner!" he cried. In tears he cries, "Save me, Sahib! Save me!" Mr. Thomas, disclaiming all power to save, pointed him to Christ who is the all-sufficient Saviour.
     It is Sunday, and Mrs. Carey must be confined to her room on account of her mental malady. Felix, Mr. Carey's son, presents himself for baptism together with Krishna Pal. Several Europeans, Portuguese, Hindus, and Mohammedans are present. The service begins by singing in Bengalee,

Jesus, and shall it ever be,
A mortal man ashamed of Thee?
Ashamed of Thee, whom angels praise,
Whose glories shine through endless days?

Mr. Pal will pen the hymn,

Oh, thou my soul, forget no more
The Friend Who all thy miseries bore:
Let every idol be forgot,
But, oh, my soul, forget Him not!


 

Previous   Next