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SEPTEMBER

13, 1553 --England. Hugh Latimer, having refused a proffered opportunity to escape, is confined in the Tower of London. He Was confined here once before until the ascension of King Edward because of his refusal to sign the Six Articles. But sparing no tyranny he is again confined here. This time it is at the instigation of Mary. He is in the same room with Mr. Ridley, Mr. Bradford, and Mr. Cranmer. Through the influences of the latter, he has become a Calvinist. He will be confined here a year and a half before being burned at the stake along with Mr. Nicholas Ridley in front of Balliol College.

13, 1628 --Massachusetts. Governor John Endecott, who "ever since the Lord in mercy revealed Himself unto him" has maintained "the straightest judgment against the outward form of God’s worship as prescribed by English statutes," arrives in the Bay as the first Governor. lie founds the toldest town in the colony which is soon to be called "Salem."
     As the propagating of the Gospel is by the free profession of the colonists their aim in settling the plantation, they have made careful provision of Godly ministers. Among them is Francis Higginson recently deprived of his church on account of his non-conformity. Governor Endecott will be very explicit about his desire to build up not only the English nation, but also to "win the natives to the Christian faith," and states, "if any of the savages pretends right of inheritance to all or any part of the lands granted in our patent, endeavor to purchase their title, that we may avoid the least scruple of intrusion." "Particularly publish that no wrong or injury be offered to the natives."
     Therefore, the seal of the colony will originally be that of a standing Indian with an arrow in his right hand, and bearing the motto, "Come over and help us."

13, 1663 --England. It is Sunday, and "in lonely places near a great wood,” near Weycroft, a large number of people assemble to celebrate the Lord's Supper who refuse to conform to the Church of England. The first exercises being past, the ministers go apart from the people and into the woods to refresh themselves.
     Suddenly, soldiers, who are roaming about, observe the movement of some of the people as they ride by the place. The soldiers break in among them apprehending some and dispersing the rest. The rest of the assembly either seek occasion to hurry to their homes or remain in the woods until they deem it safe. Mr. Bartholomew Ashwood and Mr. Henry Butler, the ministers, leave the woods with other members in hiding and happening upon one another resolve to spend the night together in a private house two miles distant. Here they life up their voices in fervent prayer for their poor brethren which they fear will be committed to bonds. So earnest are their strong cryings for their brethren that expectations are raised they shall be returned. And it will come to pass that the soldiers beholding the courage of their prisoners, will release them. In the morning, these brethren will rejoice their friends who have been wrestling with the Lord for them.

13, 1682 --Norway. Thomas Westen is born. He will become known as the "Apostle to the Norwegian Finns." The Swedes call them "Lapps." He will go among those who swear they will kill him, but he will win them to the Gospel, and they will come to regard him as "the good man."

13, 1774 --Pennsylvania. The First Continental Congress has met in Carpenter's Hall here in Philadelphia on September 5th. Today, the Warren Association of Baptist Churches writes the Congress:

     "Honorable Gentlemen, As the Baptist Churches in New England are most heartily concerned for the preservation and defence of the rights and privileges of this country, and are deeply affected by the encroachments upon the same which have been lately made by the British Parliament, and are willing to unite with our dear countrymen to pursue every prudent measure for relief, so, we would beg leave to say, that, as a distinct denomination of Protestants, we conceive that we have an equal claim to charter rights with the rest of our fellow-subjects, and yet we have long been denied the free and full enjoyment of those rights as to the support of religious worship .... "


    
 

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