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MARCH

24, 1239 --Italy. Frederick II, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, has sought to limit the authority of the Pope to ecclesiastical areas. He has forced the clergy to be tried before civil courts and has again “usurped” the right to try “heretics.” Because he has written to the inhabitants of Rome stating that he is their Emperor, Pope Gregory IX, in a state of rage, excommunicates him. The German princes, however, refuse to aid the Pope, and on June 1, 1259 they will declare themselves for their king.
          In 1241, Pope Innocent IV will succeed Pope Gregory, but still the clergy will be unable to break the influence of Frederick. Upon his death, however, his weak son will rule with a shaky hand both in Germany and Italy. When he dies in 1254, it will become apparent no emperor whether German or Italian can hold both countries. The attempt will be made during the 14th and 15th centuries, and will always end in failure.

24, 1534 --Holland. Thirty ships carrying some three thousand Anabaptists have arrived from Amsterdam, but they are delayed at Genemuiden. They are bound for the city of Muenster, which has fallen to a mob of fanatics. The city has since been renamed, the “Kingdom of Jerusalem.” Today the leaders of the would-be immigrants are killed and the rest are sent back to their homes.

24, 1665 --England. Parliament has met at Oxford and has passed the Five-Mile Act. By it, ministers not subscribing to the Act of Uniformity of 1662 are required to make on oath a declaration abhorring armed resistance to the King as stated in the Act of Uniformity—with this additional clause, “I will not at any time endeavor any alteration of government either in church or state.” It is known as the “Oxford Oath” and those refusing to take it are today forbidden “to come within five miles of any city, town, or borough ... or within five miles of any parish, town or place wherein he or they have been parson . . .. “ They are forbidden as well “to teach any private or public school, or take any boarders that are instructed by him.” The penalty is a forty-pound fine, and the ejected ministers are already reduced to poverty. It is designed to drive them out of reach of those neighbors who could help them.

24, 1816 --Virginia. In Richmond, Francis Asbury preaches his last sermon. He has to be carried to the pulpit and seated on a table, yet he speaks for almost an hour on Romans 9:28 –“For He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.”

24, 1820 --New York. In Southeast Putnam County, Frances Jane Van Alstyne (Fanny Crosby) is born. When only six weeks old, a country doctor will apply hot poultices to her inflamed eyes, and will cause her permanent blindness. At age nine, the family will move to Ridgefield, Connecticut. She will marry Alexander Van Alstyne who is himself blind. She will die in 1915 at the age of ninety-five years; but not before she pens some three thousand hymns and gospel songs. Among her best known, we find “Rescue the Perishing,” “Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross,” and “Draw Me Nearer.” A Methodist, she will know that she will see her “Pilot Face to Face” when she has crossed the “Bar.”

 

 

25, 1687 --Massachusetts. The Episcopal service has never been performed in Massachusetts Bay except by the chaplain of the hated commission of 1665. Governor Andros has demanded a meeting house for a church in which it may be celebrated. The Puritans will answer, “We cannot with a good conscience consent.” Nevertheless, today the Book of Common Prayer will be read in a surplice. But the love of liberty has not expired.

25, 1740 --Georgia. In Savannah, George Whitefield lays the first brick for the Orphan House to which he has given the name “Bethesda” hoping it will ever prove to be “The House of Mercy.” It is built “far removed from the wicked influence of the town!”

25, 1806 --England. Last month, a bill abolishing the English slave trade passed both houses of Parliament. Today it receives royal assent.

25, 1830 --Italy. The Pope issues a brief declaring mixed marriages can be blessed by the Roman Church only after contracting parties promise to rear their children in the Roman Catholic faith.

25, 1843 --Scotland. Robert Murray McCheyne dies of typhoid fever. God has used him to send revival to Dundee. Delirious, he prays and preaches in the Spirit to his people showing them the way to Heaven. He dies with his hand raised in benediction.

25, 1861 --England. Charles Spurgeon preaches his first sermon in the Metropolitan Tabernacle. It is Monday afternoon. His text is Acts 5:42 --“And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” He has said he would not preach in the new building until it is paid. It is thus debt free.

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 building until it is paid. “It is thus debt free.