-66-
      

MARCH

23, 789 --Germany. The first synod of Aachen or Aix meets today and will repeat such earlier canonical resolutions regarding the observance of the Lord’s Day, Just Judgment, Equal Weights, and Measures, Hospitality, Prevention of Witchcraft and Perjury.

23, 1526 –Spain. Emperor Charles V announces his plans to start for Rome in June and then to proceed to Germany where he intends to put an end to Lutheranism.

23, 1734 --Georgia. The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Salzburg has driven the Lutherans out of his dominions after horrid tortures and relentless persecutions have been unsuccessful in forcing them to abjure their faith. Frederic William I of Prussia has planted some of them on freeholds in his kingdom while others at the invitation of the Society in England for Propagation of the Gospel prepared to emigrate to Savannah. Free passage, provisions for a whole season, land for their families and their children to be given freely for ten years, after which can be held for small rent, as well as privileges as Englishmen and freedom of worship are the promises made them. They have been accepted and will be honorably fulfilled.
              On October 31, 1733, the “evangelical community,” well supplied with Bibles, hymnbooks, catechisms and devotional books, and conveying their few belongings in one wagon and their feeble folk in two other wagons, depart. After a sermon and prayer followed by a benediction, they cheerfully and in the name of God begin their pilgrimage. What charities have been shown them on their journey! What towns have been closed to them by Papist magistrates! When they reached the city of Frankfort on the Main, they proceeded two by two in solemn procession as they sang spiritual songs. As they floated down the Main, and then the Rhine, their conversation, their hymns and their prayers is of Justification, of Sanctification, and of Fortitude in standing for the Lord.
         They set sail from Rotterdam on November 27, 1733, and in six days landed at Dover. Here several of the trustees visited them and provided considerably for their needs, and on January 1734, they set sail for America. Gazing upon the magnificent ocean awakened a keener sense of God’s omnipotence and wisdom. Losing sight of land they broke forth into a hymn to His glory. The setting sun after a calm made the sky and ocean so glorious, they cried out, “How lovely the Creation! How infinitely lovely the Creator!” When the winds were contrary, they prayed. When the voyage proved weary, a devout listener confessed himself to be an unconverted man and they reminded him of the promise given to the poor and contrite in spirit and who tremble at His Word. As they sailed pleasantly with a favorable breeze, they covenanted with each other at the time, of evening prayer to cast by the grace of God all the strange gods, which were in their hearts, into the depths of the sea. When on February 18, 1734 a storm threatened them, a brother counseled them to raise their voices in prayer and song for the love of the Lord Jesus.
           On March 18, 1734, General Oglethorpe welcomed them to Charleston, and today, the wayfarers whose home is beyond the skies pitched their tents near Savannah. Mr. Oglethorpe will provide their chief men with horses to search out a place for their earthly habitation. At night the General will camp with them around a fire, sharing their fatigue until they choose a site on a rivulet and call it “Ebenezer.” Here they will raise a column of stone in token of gratitude to God, whose providence has brought them safely. The same year the city of Augusta will be laid out.
          The Governor of South Carolina will write of General Oglethorpe, “His undertaking will succeed for he nobly devotes all his powers to serve the poor and rescue them from their wretchedness.” The pastor of Ebenezer will confess, “He (General Oglethorpe) bears a great love to the servants and children of God. He has taken care of us to the utmost of his ability.”

23, 1743 --England. After nearly a year since its first introduction to the world, in Dublin, Ireland, George Frederick Handel introduces his oratorio, “The Messiah” to London. When the enraptured king hears the words, “The Lord God Omnipotent reigneth,” he will spring to his feet for the duration of the entire chorus. This is the birth of the custom of rising during the “Hallelujah” Chorus.

 

Previous   Next