Part XII

Text: "Seek ye out of the book of the Lord and read.... "--Isaiah 34:16

Chapter V

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord."--Psalm 37:23. It is quite clear therefore, God’s eternal plans cannot be frustrated by men. But how was the Word of God to be disseminated to other parts of the world? God prepared the Pilgrims to bring the Bible to the shores of North America.

So, they came: Moravians, who were the followers of John Huss; Presbyterians, who were the followers of John Knox; the Dutch reformed; Lutherans; and Baptists. Often history records the names of great men whom God used to turn their countrymen back to the Lord, and many times

the saints of God used these names proudly to tell others where they stood. We would be unjust therefore if we said of such saints that they were followers of "a man." Instead they were followers of what these men of God stood.

But why did such Pilgrims come to North America that they should bring copies of the Word of God with them? God had that planned, too! Governments of the world had not often been favorable to the free preaching of the Word of God. In certain countries, state churches came into vogue. For instance, in Germany, the Lutheran church became the official church. And in England, the Church of England became the official church. Though a family was not sympathetic to the state church, yet they were taxed for its support, and might likely be

persecuted for their doctrinal position, if it varied from the official church.

Such dissatisfied worshippers came seeking a country where they might have liberty to serve God as they deemed right.

Then came the great Puritan migration of the 1680’s. They, too, brought copies of the Word of God. These "Puritans" were dissatisfied with the Church of England and came seeking to "purify" that church. Many of the Puritans, however, remained in England.

The first English Bible printed in North America was printed in Philadelphia, the city of "Brother-love", and the scene of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, as well as the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights. Robert Aitken printed a King James Version. It was commended to public use by a special congressional resolution! Oh, for a Congress that might be as honorable in this day!

But can we be content the Word of God remains in this land? Yet, how will God effect the distribution of His Word to other lands? Read about it in the next edition of THE ANGELUS.

*22, 1446 B.C.: This is the 10th day of Abib, called "Nisan" following the Babylonian Captivity, the Israelites are commanded to "take every man a lamb." It is to be a lamb without blemish, a male of the 1^st year and taken from among the sheep or from the goats." This is in preparation for the Passover Feast. --Exodus 12:1-28.

*22, 1406 B.C.: The Israelites emerge from the wilderness, cross over the Jordan River and encamp in Gilgal. --Joshua 4:19. The city of Jericho will shut her gates against these children of Israel. --Joshua 6:1.

22, 1758--Jonathan Edwards will die today. He will be known as the "Preacher of the Great Awakening." This was a mighty revival that has swept the eastern sea-board of the American colonies.

23, 1743--After nearly a year since its introduction to the world in Dublin, Ireland, Handel introduces his oratorio, "The Messiah", in London, England. When the enraptured king will hear the words, "The Lord God omnipotent reigneth," he will spring to his feet for the duration of the entire chorus. Thus was born the custom to rise during the singing of the "Hallelujah Chorus."

24, 1816--In Richmond, Virginia, 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--In southeast Putnam county, New York, Fanny Crosby is born. When 6 weeks old, a country doctor will apply hot poultices to her inflamed eyes and will cause permanent blindness. At 9 years of age, the family will move to Ridgefield, Connecticut where she will write her first poem. She will die in 1915 at the age of 95 years and will have written 6,000 hymns and gospel songs. For nearly 50 years, she will have written 3 hymns each week. "Rescue the Perishing," "Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross," and "Draw Me Nearer" are among her best known. She was a Methodist who knew she would see her Pilot face to face, when she had crossed the "Bar."

25, 1843--Robert Murray McCheyne dies of typhoid fever. God has used him to send revival to Dundee, Scotland. 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--Charles Spurgeon preaches his first sermon in the Metropolitan Tabernacle on this 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.

*26, 1876 B.C.: The aged Jacob takes his children and grandchildren to Egypt to reside there during the great famine. He will see Joseph his son again. --Exodus 12:41; Genesis 47!

*26, 1446 B.C.: The first Passover begins at evening. The Passover lamb will be killed and eaten, and the blood sprinkled on the door posts and lintel of the homes of Hebrew believers. This evening, the Death angel will pass over the land of Egypt taking the eldest son of those families that do not believe. The Israelites depart Egypt after 430 years. Unleavened bread will be eaten 7 days commemorating this eventful night when they are cast out of Egypt before they are able to leaven their bread. This is the institution of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

*26,....: On this 13th day of Nisan, Haman’s desire is recorded: "to destroy, to kill and to cause to perish, all Jews both young and old, little children and women in one day, even upon the 13th day of the 12th month, which is the month Adar and to take the spoil of them for a prey." It is written in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed with the king’s ring. The letters will be sent by "posts" into all the king’s provinces; and are to be published unto all the people to be ready against that day." Esther 3:12-14

26, 1827--At age 56,Ludwig Beethoven dies; he is called, "the Shakespeare of Music". His famous oratorio is known as the "Mount of Olives". Among the 20,000 people who follow his body to the cemetery is the composer Franz Schubert.

26, 1862--Rev. Joseph Gilmore, 28 year old son of a New Hampshire governor will supply the pulpit of the First Baptist Church in Philadelphia. His text of Psalm 23, he will solidify into a four-stanza hymn he will call, "He Leadeth Me."

29, 1788--Charles Wesley dies dictating, "In death and feebleness extreme, Who shall a helpless worm redeem? Jesus, My only Hope Thou art.... "

30, 1661--Samuel Rutherford dies. He has said, "If He should slay me 10,000 times, I will trust."