Yesterday was Reformation Sunday, and today is known as Reformation Day.
Our pastor, Bro. Thornton, preached an excellent message yesterday morning, and he closed the service last night with the congregation singing Martin Luther's majestic hymn, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God!"
Bro. Thornton loaned me an old book of his published in 1870 which contains notices of the most eminent reformers. It is most interesting, so I will try to give a very brief highlight.
Martin Luther was born on November 10, 1483. He seemed destined to be a pillar of the Roman Catholic church, and a patron of all its corruption. However, he had a daring spirit and loved nothing as well as truth. He spoke more boldly when he was assailed by menace and insult. He rejected the despotism of the Pope; he refused obedience to an unlimited and usurped authority.
This was the origin of the Reformation. His friends were few and of no great influence; his enemies were numerous and powerful, and eager for his destruction. He was summoned to plead his cause before the diet at Worms. The assembly soon issued the "Edict of Worms" in which Luther was denounced as an excommunicated heretic, but he allowed no moderation or concession in any matter where Christian truth was concerned.
During the 29 years he was in public life, the principles of the gospel were deeply rooted, so that when he died in 1546, he could depart in peaceful confidence that the objects of his mission were accomplished!
On this Reformation Day, I trust you will take some time to read and meditate again on Martin Luther's powerful hymn, written in 1529 -- eight years after the "Edict of Worms"!!
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