"OF WHOM THE WORLD WAS NOT WORTHY"
-115-
MAY
12, 1680 --Massachusetts. The Second Synod is held
in Boston. Increase Mather serves as Moderator. The Savoy Confession of
Faith produced in 1658 by English Congregationalists, a Calvinistic
Creed, is adopted as the basis for churches in New England.
12, 1707 --India. Ten months after their arrival, Mr. Bartholomew
Zilgenbalg and Mr. Henry Plutschav, the first two Protestant
missionaries to India, publicly baptize five adults who are heathen
slaves belonging to Danish masters. The Danish East India Company has
proved to be their chief persecutors.
12, 1806 --New York. Monday. Having made plans for a camp meeting,
Francis Asbury writes,
“On Monday, the people of the world seemed to make a surrender: there
was no longer a necessity for guards.
“There were between eighty and one hundred official
members present, about one thousand Methodists, and sow presumed about
six thousand souls were on the ground at different times. The people
were so dispersed, and there was such a continual coming and going, I
had no means of judging.
“We had great order and great power from the Beginning
to the end. I judge two hundred souls were made subjects of grace in the
various operations of conviction, conversation, sanctification, and
reclamation. Glory! Glory!”
13, 609 --Italy. Pope Boniface IV has received the Pantheon at Rome from
Phocas, the Byzantine emperor. Today, it is dedicated to Mary and all
Martyrs as the “Church of Our Lady of the Rotunda.”
13, 1801 --France. Following his accession to the empire, concerned
Protestants sent a deputation to inquire as to, their rights under his
rule. At that time he replied, “My rights end where that of conscience
begins.”
Today, he concludes his Concordat with Pope Pius VII
and Rome will control both Church and State in France for more than one
hundred years. In this Concordat, Protestants lose their right to
unrestricted worship.
13, 1816 --New York. The American Bible Society is organized in New York
City.
13, 1964 --Cuba. For the first time, Fidel Castro openly attacks
“Protestant sects”, and passes legislation prohibiting use of church
facilities during mid-week except for Wednesday’s the traditional time
for prayer meetings. 0nly those of legal age can become church members.
Young people under fifteen years of age are not allowed to attend church
services unless accompanied by his parents. Some church property is
confiscated and new construction of church facilities is forbidden.
Seminary students are drafted into military service or are sent to labor
camps. House to house visitation is prohibited as is preaching on the
Radio and the passing out of Gospel tracts. The circulation of Bibles is
also forbidden.
14, 1610 --France. After repeated attempts upon his life by the Jesuits,
Henry IV is assassinated today by Frances Ravaillac, a lay brother of
the monastery of St. Bernard. Rome has never forgiven Henry for
effecting the Edict of Nantes granting toleration to the Huguenots after
sixty years of persecution even though he has been “converted” to
Catholicism and has denounced Protestantism.
14, 1724 --France. A decree is published which renews all restrictions
upon the Protestant church.