"OF WHOM THE WORLD WAS NOT WORTHY"
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APRIL
4, 1687 --England. James II repeats his brother's
Declaration of Indulgence that all laws penalizing Non-conformists and
Roman Catholics are to be suspended. This Second Declaration of
Indulgence grants complete freedom of worship. This time without issuing
licenses and without fear of future conviction for unlawful worship,
Non-conformists may worship in England. His motive, however, is purely
out of interest for his Roman Catholic brethren.
The Church of England
which had formerly designated Non-conformists as "schismatics and
fanatics" now considers them dear fellow Protestants, weak brethren,
perhaps, but brethren whose principles were entitled to be tenderly
regarded.
When in April of 1688, James
orders all bishops to have this Declaration read in all the churches,
and seven bishops refuse to do so, he will have them imprisoned in the
Tower of London. The charge: sedition. It will be this act that will
finally lead to revolution and his overthrow.
4, 1819 --Burma. Adoniram Judson begins public worship in the language
of the Burmese. Fifteen adults are present in addition to children.
4, 1834 --Prussia. Three pastors, four theological candidates and
thirty-nine laymen unite in a synod at Breslau and solemnly protest the
violation of the rights granted to the Lutheran Church in Prussia. Their
petition is sent to the authorities in Berlin and is flatly refused, and
the cabinet orders of March 9th and 10th are now implemented.
The first deals a blow against
"conventicles", while the second is directed against "unauthorized
administration of spiritual official acts." A third refers to the
obligation of all Evangelical parents to send their children to
Evangelical schools. Lutheran church services are suppressed, official
acts of Lutheran clergy are declared invalid, and no child is allowed to
leave school until he has been confirmed by a clergyman of the
Evangelical State church.
In 1835, another synod will be formed
at Breslau, but all participating ministers are imprisoned. Some
congregations thus compelled to emigrate will go to Australia under the
leadership of Pastor Kavel and Pastor Fritzsche. Others will follow Mr.
Grabau and enter the Buffalo Synod in North America.
4, 1848 --Scotland. Andrew Bonar marries Isabella Dickson in her home.
She has nursed her mother until her death last year.
5, 1242 --Russia. The Teutonic Knights, originally crusaders, have now
turned militaristic. They have overrun East Prussia and portions of
Russia on the pretense of converting them to Christianity. The people in
the land surrounding Novgorod have called upon their prince, Alexander
Yaroslavitch Nevsky, to lead them against the invaders. A large militia
supplements the regular army and today they meet the Germans on the ice
of Lake Chud. In the fierce battle that ensues, many Germans are driven
through the ice and drowned.
5, 1541 --Germany. The Conference of Regensburg opens and marks the
culmination of attempts to restore religious unity in Germany by means
of conferences.
The out come of the conference might
have become dangerous to Protestants but Emperor Charles V has been
facing a threatening war with the Turks and the French king has been
negotiating with the Evangelicals; therefore he is concerned not to
force the Protestants into an alliance with his enemies. The Emperor
will therefore change some resolutions in their favor.
5, 1845 --Pennsylvania. The Synod of Pennsylvania of the Calvinistic
Methodist church is formed at Pottsville.