-35-
      

FEBRUARY
 

2, 1555 --Switzerland. John Calvin writes to William Farel, "How seldom is there an example of steadfastness among aristocrats.."


2, 1594 --Italy. Giovanni Pierreluigi Palestrina dies. He has been called the "Saviour of church music," and on his coffin can be read, "The Prince of Music."

     He has said, "There exists a vast mass of love songs of the poets, written in a fashion entirely foreign to the profession and name of Christians. They are the songs of men ruled by passion, and a great number of musicians, corrupters of youth, make them the concern of their art and their industry; in proportion as they flourish through praise of their skill, so do they offend good and serious-minded men by the depraved taste of their work. I blush and grieve to think that once I was of their number. But while I cannot change the past, nor undo what is done, I have mended my ways. Therefore, I have labored on songs which have been written in praise of our Lord, Jesus Christ."


2, 1832 --Scotland. "Not a trait worth remembering! and yet these four and twenty hours must be accounted for." --from the Diary of Robert Murray M'Cheyne


2, 1881 --Maine. Rev. Francis E Clark founds the Young People’s Society of Christian Endeavor in the Williston Congregational Church in the city of Portland. It will be an interdenominational organization, which during the Boer War will form societies in the prison camps of St. Helena, Ceylon, and the Bermudas. As a result, hundreds of Boers will be converted and two hundred of them will be sent to the African mission field upon their release.

      Its principles include, 1.) Open confession of Christ, 2.) Active service for Him, 3.) Loyalty to one's church, and 4.) Fellowship with His people.


2, 1943 --Russia. The German army, which has invaded Russia last year, has been besieged in the city of Stalingrad by the Russian counter-offensive. Today the German army surrenders after weeks of temperatures dropping to forty-nine degrees below zero on the Fahrenheit scale. The army of 330,000 men has dwindled to a mere 95,000 men. The last message sent by the Germans over their wireless was, "Send us Bibles." Their request will be granted and German planes will drop copies of God's Word behind enemy lines.

3, 1468 --Germany. John Gutenberg dies. He was born as John Gensfleish which translates "gooseflesh" and which for embarrassment he has changed to the name on his mother's side of the family --"Gutenberg." He will be buried in the Franciscan Church at Mainz. As a young man he was a goldsmith, but today he dies leaving behind him his 42 line Bible --the first book he has printed on his printing press, the first one with move-able type in the western world.

3, 1799 --England. This Lord's Day, James Haldane is ordained to the Gospel ministry. He has been asked four questions:

     1.) As an unconverted ministry is allowed to be a great evil, will you, sir, be pleased to favor us with some account of the dealing of God with your soul?

      2.) Will you inform us what are the circumstances and motives which have led you to preach the Gospel and to desire to engage in the work of the ministry?

     3.) Will you favor us with your views of the leading truths of the Gospel?

     4.) Will you explain your views and purposes respecting the duties and trials before you in the pastoral office?

     In 1848, he will publish An Exposition of the Epistle To the Galatians; and later, his Exposition To the Hebrews.
 

Previous   Next