-Haldor Lillenas-
The Bible stands like a rock undaunted
‘Mid the raging storms of time;
Its pages burn with the truth eternal,
And they glow with a light sublime.
The Bible stands like a mountain towering
Far above the works of men;
Its truth by none ever was refuted,
And destroy it they never can.
The Bible stands and it will forever,
When the world has passed away;
By inspiration it has been given
All its precepts I will obey.
The Bible stands every test we give it
For its author is Divine.
By grace alone I expect to live it
And to prove it and make it mine.
Chorus:
The Bible stands though the hills may tumble,
It will firmly stand when the earth shall crumble;
I will plant my feet on its firm foundation,
For the Bible stands.
21, 1738--Charles Wesley is converted through hearing a portion of Luther’s COMMENTARY ON GALATIANS.
21, 1832--James Hudson Taylor is born to Mr. and Mrs. James Taylor at Barnsley, Yorkshire, England.
22, 337--Constantine, Emperor of Rome, dies having been baptized just days earlier. It was at this time he promised to live worthy a disciple of Jesus even refusing to wear the Imperial mantle, but retaining his white baptismal robe. Philip Schaff relates that Constantine died trusting the mercy of God.
22, 1498--Jerome Savonarola receives his sentence of death in a quiet manner.
23, 1738--Just two days following his conversion, Charles Wesley pens his famous hymn--
And can it be, that I should gain
"An interest in the Saviour’s blood?
Died He for me who caused his pain,
For me, to Him, to death pursued...?
Years will pass, and when he comes to die, he will recite,
Bold I approach the eternal throne
And claim the cross through Christ my own!
24, 1738--John Wesley is converted through hearing a portion of Luther’s COMMENTARY ON ROMANS. The place is a meeting on Aldersgate Street. At the same moment, he testifies of the faith he has in Christ. Coming to his brother Charles, he cries, "I believe!" and both sing the newly written hymn--
And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Saviour’s blood?
After prayer, they part.
26, 1521--Martin Luther is declared an outlaw by the Pope’s representatives and is, pronounced "WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE,"
27, 1564--As the sun sets, John Calvin rests with Christ. He is heard to utter, "It is enough that to Christ I live and die."
Continued
Savonarola, the lion-hearted preacher of Florence, Italy in the fifteenth century, had been condemned to die with his two faithful followers. His crime lay in his finding the salvation of his soul lay in simple faith in the finished work of Christ upon the cross.
This he actively preached, and his life was of such a nature as to bring conviction of sin upon the pleasure-loving Florentines.
But is the end of men who have been faithful to their Lord to be such as this? Indeed it is! Of such men, God has spoken in His Word that the World is not worthy of them!
Sharp sticks had been thrust between the crevices of the boardwalk to the intent blood would stream from their feet.
Once again their priestly robes were thrown over them and again torn from them in ceremonial fashion. It was done this time by a bishop who repeated the words; "Thus do I sever you from the Church Militant and the Church Triumphant!"
Shall the man of God cower at such fearful words? What is alluded in these awful words but the threat of final damnation! Read, THE TRIUMPH OF SAVONAROLA, part III.