"OF WHOM THE WORLD WAS NOT WORTHY"
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APRIL
26, 1521 --Germany. Martin Luther leaves the city
of Worms riding in his wagon with his brother, John, and two other
persons. His destination is Wittemberg, his home, but he has been
declared an outlaw and a price has been put upon his life. Someone can
be heard to ask him, “Where will you hide?" Luther replies, “Under
Heaven!"
26, 1562 --France. At Orleans, the Third National Synod of the Reformed
Church in France is held. Pastor Morelli's doctrine regarding the right
of voting at ecclesiastical elections is condemned.
26, 1847 --Illinois. In Chicago, the Missouri Synod of the Lutheran
Church meets today for the first time.
26, 1875 --Korea. Syngman Rhee is born. In 1910, Japan will annex the
country of Korea as a colony and will set about to convert its
inhabitants to Shintoism. Its oppressive rule will result in the burning
of churches and the imprisonment of thousands of church officials.
Travelers stopped at roadblocks will be asked their religion, and
Christians will be murdered on the spot. Momentary relief will come when
the Japanese surrender at the end of the Second World War, but the
Russian troops remaining behind will divide the nation and establish a
"socialist paradise" in the north. Persecution will again resume. Mr.
Rhee will become president in South Korea, and an estimated five million
refugees will flee the north to the south. President Syngman Rhee,
himself a professed Christian, will declare Communists who repent of
their sins are to be forgiven and pardoned.
27, 1642 --England. Thomas Goodwin, an Independent, preaches before
Parliament.
27, 1696 --England. In order to regain his throne, the Catholic and
ex-King James II has plotted the murder of William III, Prince of
Orange. The plan is that the acting King be ambushed when he rides home
from his weekly hunting in Richmond Park on his way to Kensington
Palace. He is to be murdered in a narrow lane through which he must pass
at Turnham Green. The murderers have arrived to fulfill their plans but
as they have not kept their intentions secret, William has already
announced the pernicious plot to Parliament. Thus the assassination plot
is foiled, the culprits are apprehended and executed, and an intended
invasion by the French is also foiled. Today,
Parliament responds with the "Association Oath", which declares,
"Whereas there has been a conspiracy ...We declare that His Majesty is
rightful, and lawful king ... and we engage to assist each other in the
defence of His Majesty and his government."
27, 1739 --England. George Whitefield begins open air preaching in
London.
27, 1791 --Massachusetts. In Charlestown, Samuel Morse is born to the
town pastor. He will be remembered for his invention of the telegraph
and for the code that bears his name. In his early manhood, he will come
to Christ.
27, 1795 --Pennsylvania. The first synod of the Reformed (German) Church
in the United States is held at Lancaster.