The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-05-16
KNOX ANNIVERSARY
the Prophet Jeremiah of
the 10th Century.
Presbyterian Church Observes the
4OOth Birthday of The Scotch Re-
fOrmer-.-Strong DiscOurses BY
Or. Alfred H. Moment.

The First Presbyterian church on
Sunday celebrated the 400th anniver-
sary of the birthday of John Knox, the
great Scotch Reformer. Rev. Alfred
II. Moment, d. D., pastor, preached
magnificent sermons at both morning
and evning services, and his themes
were fitting to the spirit of the occa-
sion.
In the morning his theme was:
John Knox the Prophet Jeremiah
of the Sixteenth Century and he
selected as his text: "A Prophet Yea,
More than Prophet" Matt. 11:9.
DR.. Moment stated that in all that
jeremiah said to the Jews of his day,
it was the word of the Lord he de-
clared to them SO was Knox an UNI
compromising preacher of the gospel.
He was also like his Jerusalem pro-
totype in unflinching bravery. On
the day of his funeral it was said he
never feared the face of man. He
had remarkable foresight so that
he often spoke of future things which
actually transpired--as if he possessed
a seer's vision. His attitude toward
Mary Queen of Scots was one of intol-
erance Carlyle says: 1t was unfor-
tunately not possible to be polite with
the Queen of Scots unless one proved
untrue to the nation and the cause of
Scotland. Mr.. Froude says But for
KnoX's intolerance Mary Stuart would
have bent Scotland to her purpose;
and Scotland would have been the
lever, with which France and Spain
would have flung Elizabeth from her
throne and driven professionalism from
England 1t was KnoX's invincibility
that saved the Reformation TO the
Anglo-SaXon race.
Knox was a statesman; a great or
ganzer: one of the first scholars OF
his age; broad minded; the father of
Scotland's splendid educational sys
tenn and the founder of the Scotch
Presbyterian church.
DR.. Moments evening sermons
theme was: "a summary of the re-
suits of the Protestant Reformation,
and his text was taken from Matthew
1920: Wherefore by their fruits we
shall know them" He said that in
the Sixteenth Century, when all vital
Christian doctrine sincere heart
worship and religious and political
freedom were throttled by papal
Rome the voice of a heavenly mes
senger was heard with joy unspeak-
able, prCclaiming: Behold | bring
tidings of salvation: it is divine grace
that shall undermine the throne of
the popes; purify the streams of
Christian doctrine. and reconcile the
fallen world to God"
That heaven sent messenger was
Martin Luther, and the good tidings
was the glorious doctrine of justifca-
ton by faith. This was the force
that upturned Europe. producing thai
memorable religious revolt from the
almost limitless domination of the
popeS and deadening influence of the
papal church: the Protestant Refor
nation. That was not political
movement, nor a philosophical, nor
moral but a religious, being brought
about by the preaching of the one
fundamental doctrine of true religion
salvation by grace. justification by
faith.
\ second prime result of the Re
formation was the bringing foIt of
the Holy Scriptures as the Supreme
Authority on all matters of religion.
The Romish system of religion takes
the Bible from the people and tells
them to listen to the priests. Protest
antism says: 1.-The Word of God
which is contained in the scriptures
of the Old and New Ttestaments, is
the only rule to direct us how we
may gIorify and enjoy Him..
The third result of that great event
was the right of private judgment;
that every man has the liberty of his
own conscience; the right to his own
belief, and is responsible for the sal
walton of his own soul. This was
Luther's achievements at the Diet of
Worm in 1921, when he said My
conscience abides not in the pope or
in his councils; but in Gods Word;
it is lot safe nor innocent, for a man
to act against his own conscience
Then he added: Here / stand: l can
not do otherwise: may God help me"
Out of these three achievements-
justification by faith, the supreme au-
thority of the scriptures, and the re-
gal power of mans own conscience
came a fourth: Puritansm. This
means the practical application of
Christianity to all the affairs of human
life-to a mans own character, to
his home, church, market and State.
Since the triumphs of 400 years ago
the true Puritans of the Protestant
church have been contending for or
thodox doctrine, for the Christian Oh
servance of the sabbath, for religious
tolerance and for political freedom.