National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-06-12
JOHN KNOX AS a REFoRMER.

LECTURE BY REV. PROF. S. J. WILSON
The Metropolitan Presbyterian church was
filed with s(ect audience last evening to listen
TO Rev. Pnof.S. J. Wilson in his lecture on "John
Knox and His Times" Therefersnd gentleman,
in the introductory portion Of his lecture, de-
seribed with much force and vividness the pecu-
liar circumstances which surrounded the days in
which the eminent divine fought his battles for
the sacred principles Of Christianity which were
the groundwork ofthe great reformation. twas,
strictly speaking, an age Of religious persecu-
tions-persecutions which burned and tortured
brave men who were following out the dictates o +
their own conscienees; yet by these burnings and
exeruciatins fortunes there was FIRE kindled
which Will last throughout eternity, and one
which no human power can quenchor destroy.
The hierarchical government, welding . tremen-
dous power, both spiritual and temporal exhibited
n spiriI the evil gloom OF whichw the blackness
lof darkness. Rather than have the people think
and decide for themselves in religious matters
rather than have tbs civiiixinE influence OF the
blessed gospel of God, when preached to the
people, they would have scourged and burned the
ference. Amid all this bitter and deadly hatred
towards all the elements Of the Reformation,
where was there TO arise man who dare grasp
this mighty despotisn andthwart it in its bigoted
designs? In emergencies God always creates 9
man equal to this task. And John Knox was the
chosen instrument The times were fraught with
momentous issues. The days were filled with
wild and startling exhibitions Of ecclesiastical
cruelties. Men, women and innocent children
yo sss Brave @sn held their SrsatS at ts
sad havoc which was sweeping over the land,
more blighting in Its course than pestilence or
The majority OF the new sect recognized In John
Knox the spirit and invinclbe leader Of the mighty
reformation which was moving with such telling
force across the German nation and whose influ-
eni,e had already been felt in France
As chaplain he stood before one Of the Proud
est kings; as court preacher he was fearless,
was the guiding star Of the religious masses in
the new faith. Moses and Elias were no more
called, no more prepared, and no more ordained
as potent Instrument In the hand Of God than
John Knox. He was born In Scotland, the son Of
humble and obscure parents. HIS education In
mre the broad and glorious truths Of Christianity.
He commenced active ministerial duties at an
early age. Becoming popular, he soon won the |
her Court. There he stood the i sttsry and vani
ties Of the courtiers. Mary herself endeavored
to ntlmidate and force him to renounce his feslty
brilliant Court WAS brought to bear upon him,
but he remained as firm and immoyable as the /
Last DRIVEN II the Court snd
England. Hswent to Germany, from thence to
France.
This country was all strife and confusion. The
great religious revolution had touch ed its shore
and the Church and State were conVulsed. Here |
he held communion with noble and heroic mar
cutlons which were hourly forcing men and
women TO the rack, the boiling caldron and the /
stake. He met face to face with the very men /
who we're willing TO make the beautiful and lux |
uriant fields Of France tina plains Of devastation
and death. And yet, amid all Of the scene of in
humanity and Threatened danger, be stood the |
same immovable, fearless and eloquent ex-
FOUNDER and defender Of the faith as when he
stood before the Queen Of England. Afser re-
turning TO- his native land he was actively en-
unuously Prosecuted, yet ever faithful to his
trust After giving description Of his travels
IN scotland and the scenes Of the closing days Of
his life. the lecturer eiosad with an alonuant
peroration on the great influence the work OF the
eminent divine has had on all subsequent time.