"OF WHOM THE WORLD WAS NOT WORTHY"
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JULY
20, 1775 --Massachusetts. The Continental Congress has
proclaimed a national fast.
20, 1859 --Wales. Mr. Charles Spurgeon preaches to a congregation of
between nine and ten thousand people.
20, 1933 --Germany. Adolph Hitler signs a Concordat with the Vatican
guaranteeing religious freedom for German Catholics. A small group of
Lutherans, finding Hitler has placed serious disabilities upon ministers
refuse his “guarantee” and with-draw to establish their own “Free
Synod.” As a result, the “Fifth Emergency Decree” is passed which
prohibits “unauthorized” church groups from appointing or ordaining
ministers, or to spend money taken in offerings. They are further
prohibited from calling synods, and to train ministerial students.
21, 1542 --Italy. Pope Paul IV, Giovanni Pietro Caraffa, issues the bull
“Licet ab Initio” and the reorganized institution of the Roman
inquisition is remodeled after the Spanish pattern.
21, 1773 --Wales. At Trevecca, Brewnshire, Howell Harris dies. With
Daniel Rowlands, he established the “Calvinistic Methodist Church” to
the South of Wales. Between 1739 and 1741, the number of Methodist
Societies grew in number from thirty to three hundred. He was often
assaulted by mobs and persecuted by both the magistrates and the clergy.
On account of his characteristic methods, he has been constantly denied
ordination, but has been a tool in the hands of God to bring revival to
this land.
22, 1578 --Holland, A religious peace is promulgated by the Prince of
Orange in the name of the States-General. It grants liberty of
conscience and a limited degree of religious freedom. It will be
unsuccessful in promoting peace between the Roman Catholics and the
Reformed.
22, 1604 --England. King James I writes the representatives of the
vacant see of Canterbury that he has “appointed certain learned men to
the number of four and fifty for the translating of the Bible.”
22, 1620 --Holland. The chronicler, William Bradford writes in his
Diary, “ ...Of all sorrows most heavy to be borne, was that many of
their children, (the Pilgrims), by these occasions and the great
licentiousness of youth in that country (Holland), and the manifold
temptations of the place were drawn away by evil examples into
extravagant and dangerous courses, getting the reigns off their necks,
and departing from their parents. Some became soldiers; others took upon
them far voyages by sea; and others some worse courses, tending to
dissoluteness and the danger of their souls, to the great grief of their
parents, and dishonor of God. So that they saw their posterity would be
in danger to degenerate and be corrupted. So that goodly and pleasant
city which had been their resting place near twelve years, but they knew
they were Pilgrims and looked not much on those things but lift their
eyes to the Heavens their dearest country and fruited their spirits.”
Thus today at Delft-Haven, the Pilgrims set sail. Aboard
ship, “Mr. Robinson, their pastor, falling down on his knees, and they
all with him, he with watery cheeks commends them with most fervent
prayer to God; and then with mutual embraces, and many tears, they take
their leave, and with a prosperous gale, come to Southampton” in
England. Pastor Robinson has given his benediction having read Psalm
120.
22, 1861 --Virginia. General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson writes his wife,
“My precious pet, yesterday we fought a great battle and gained a great
victory for which all the glory is due to God alone. Manassas.”