"OF WHOM THE WORLD WAS NOT WORTHY"
-260-
NOVEMBER
"One kind of man I dislike intensely --that is the man of wise and pious
appearance who enjoys great success in word and writing and tries to
improve himself and others, yet carefully sidesteps everything
offensive. If Paul had taught only that men should lead an upright life,
the princes of this world and false apostles would have received him
with open arms. But when he condemned the works of unrighteousness, and
the shallow moral views of the great world, Pharisees and whole nations
rose up against him. In just the same way Luther would be regarded as
one of the wisest and honest of men if he would write a lot of pious
stuff but avoid assailing what is offensive."
-Philip Melancthon-
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1, --All Saint's Day. The Greek Church from the time of Chrysostom
recognized this day to remember all the "martyrs of Jesus." Luther
demanded it be given up. Though the Church of England recognizes it, the
Lutheran and Reformed churches do not observe it.
1, 451 --Turkey. Since October 8th, the Council of Chalcedon has been
meeting. It will clear the air of the heterodoxy concerning the nature
of the person of Christ declaring that in Christ there dwells one person
but two natures, "unconfounded, unchanged, undivided, and inseparable."
1, 1414 --Germany. The Council of Constance convenes. Emperor Sigismund
is brother to Wenceslaus, king of Bohemia. As heir to the throne, he
wishes to clear the country of the "heresy" of Wycliffe.
1, 1533 --France. Nicholas Cop, rector of the University of Paris,
preaches a sermon that creates such a stir that both he and his young
friend, John Calvin must quickly flee the country.
1, 1716 --England. John Gill makes a public profession of faith in
Christ.
1, 1754 --Hungary. King Charles III granted his agitated citizens a free
Bible by an edict issued on June 29, 1723, but so great has been the
power of Jesuits that they have frustrated the royal edict. Consequently
the Bibles translated from the Hebrew by Pastor Gyorgy Csipkes Komaromi
have been seized and carried to the palace where they have been thrown
into damp cellars. Today they are burned in the palace court before a
large gathering.
1, 1770 --England. Alexander Cruden, the famed compiler of the
Concordance that bears his name, is found dead in his room by his
servant. He is on his knees; his head resting on his open Bible. He has
preached each Lord's Day to the prisoners in Newgate Jail, and has spent
his days of retirement walking to hand out Gospel tracts seeking to
reform a nation that has become given to "Sabbath walks, Sunday
feasting, card playing, dancing and swearing." Such offenders he has
publicly accosted and admonished. Known as "Alexander the Corrector," he
has gone through London with a sponge removing obscene words on walls.
1, 1812 --India. Luther Rice has followed Adoniram Judson and his wife
in adopting Baptist views. Today the English Baptist, William Ward,
immerses him.
1, 1950 --Italy. Pope Pius XII defines the dogma of the Assumption as an
article of Roman Catholicism. It asserts that the Virgin Mary was taken
body and soul to Heaven.