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MAY

10, 1670 --England. The Second Conventicle Act is felt. A congregation of more than four persons assembled for worship contrary to that established by England is subject to a fine of twenty pounds to be levied for the house, out-house, orchard, field, etc. where such a conventicle is held. A twenty pound fine is levied for the preacher, or any person officiating in the absence of a preacher; five shillings are to be levied for each preacher, teacher or leader so convicted; and up to ten pounds for each person present above the allotted number. Refusal to pay will result in confiscation of goods, or cattle to be taken and sold for such payment.

10, 1749 --Germany. In Prussia, an edict is passed today which abolishes the jurisdiction of the consistories with particular emphasis in marriage affairs. These are transferred to the secular courts. The law will soon be modified to make the marriage contract acceptable only from secular authorities without the aid of the church. Though the religious significance of marriage will be disregarded, the ceremony will nonetheless be retained.

10, 1828 --New York. The Synod of New York of the Calvinistic Methodist Church, the so-called Welch Presbyterian Church in America, is formed at Pen-y-Caeran, and is the first such to be held in America.

10, 1836 --Ohio. At Cincinnati, Rev. George Starrs and Rev. Samuel Norris both Methodist ministers from New Hampshire address the Cincinnati Anti-Slavery Society. As a result, the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which will meet here later this month, will censure these two delegates and express their unqualified opposition to Modern Abolition.

10, 1865 --Virginia. General “Stonewall” Jackson is fatally wounded at Chancellorsville, when his own men mistake him for the enemy. He has consistently upheld the Word of God before his men even praying all night before a battle and sometimes during the battle. The first chapel of logs has been built in his brigade.

11, 1463 --Italy. Pope Pius II, otherwise known as Aeneas Silvius (Piccolomini), urges the bloodthirsty and avaricious inquisitors to allow no human considerations to prevail as against the Waldensians. Classical culture, philanthropy, and intellect—all are thrust aside.

11, 1550 --Germany. The Augsburg Confession is finished! This is Philip Melancthon’s masterpiece consisting of a statement of Lutheran doctrine.

11, 1788 --Ireland. On a farm near Maghera, County Derry, Henry Cooke is born. A defender of Biblical orthodoxy, he will force the Anti-Trinitarian Arians to secede from the Synod of Ulster in 1829 at the time when the Remonstrant Synod of Ulster is formed under the leadership of Henry Montgomery. Mr. Cooke will continue his fight for orthodoxy until the Arians are purged from the colleges, Synods, and congregations of the Irish Presbyterian Church.

11, 1829 --England. At Nuneaton, Warwickshire, John Liggins is born. Following his education in the United States, he will go to Japan as a missionary of the Protestant Episcopal Church. He will be the first Protestant missionary there.

12, 1497 --Italy. Pope Alexander VI excommunicates Savonarola, as one “suspected of heresy.” The preacher has roused Italy against the extravagant immoralities of the pontiff whose only thought, according to Pope Pius II, was for pleasure.

12, 1521 --England. King Henry VIII is enraged against Martin Luther, and as the decree of the Diet of Worms is known here, the king orders the Pope’s Bull to be executed against Luther’s books. Today, Thomas Wolsey, Chancellor of England retires to St. Paul’s in solemn procession. An arrogant man, his chair is of gold, his bed is of gold, and a cloth of gold covers his dining table. He thinks himself the equal of kings.
      Today he walks surrounded by barons, knights and members of the most distinguished families. He is himself the first ecclesiastical leader here to so clothe himself in silk and gold. His horse is richly harnessed, as is his added regalia. Before him walks stately, a priest carrying a rod surrounded by a crucifix; behind him another priest walks carrying the archiepiscopal cross of York. A nobleman walking at his side carries the Cardinal’s hat. Long trains of mules carrying trunks of the most exquisite coverings follow.
     On arriving at the cathedral, the priest places Cardinal Wolsey’s hat on the altar. The Bishop of Rochester stands at the foot of the cross and inveighs against heresy. The writings of Dr. Martin Luther are then brought forward and “devoutly burned” in the presence of an immense crowd.
But Henry VIII, not content to stop here will write the Elector Palatine ... “It is the Devil who, but Luther as his organ, has kindled this immense conflagration. If Luther will not be converted, let the flames consume him and his “writings.”
     “My lessons give offence,” Luther has said; “I answer that the Gospel of Christ cannot be preached without offence.”
     The ecclesiastical and diplomatic emissaries of Cardinal Wolsey and King Henry VIII are also charged to track, hunt down, and seize William Tyndale, but they will not be able to find him. Sir Thomas More will call him, “The Heretic of England who is nowhere, but whose influence is everywhere.”

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