Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1939-12-01

Adviser o. P. Simmons
continued to exist. From 1400 to 1868,
England was undergoing great re-
ligious Transformation. The Catholic
Church began to deteriorate and a
movement toward Professionalism COM.
menced. The entire country became
involved in this religious quarrel, the
succeeding kings upholding one side
or the other. Henry VIII was the
first Protestant English king.
About his time, William Caxton
patented an invention which had ut
most prominence in furthering the
Christian religion-the printing press.
This, of course, had tremendous eff
feet on the spread of the Gospel, as
we'll as every form of culture and
education. By means of this new fac
tor, the common people were able to
buy and read the Bible. Two new
versions of the Great Book appeared
about this time-the Coverdale and
King James versions.
At this period, Christianity became
so prominent and wide spread in Eng
land that it influenced many of the
fine arts. A great improvement was
made in music, for beautiful hymns
were written and sung in the big Eng
lish cathedrals. Also, we find that
many of the famous musicians, espec-
ally Handel, wrote lovely oratories
which showed the prominence of the
Christian religion.
AS for architecture, we find that the
most perfect work can be found in the
arches, columns and carvings Of the
lovely English cathedrals.
Besides the Bible, there were, of
course, thousands of books, essays,
poems, etc., written. However, it is
interesting to note that practically
every literary work was influenced,
to certain extent, by Christianity.
This signifies the greatness and neces-
sity of the Gospel.
Finally, we find that Christianity
played very important part in the
beginning of drama. Thus, the first
plays in England were based on Bib
lical events and characters. The mir
acle plays, deriving their name from
the miracles of the Bible, were promi-
nent at this time. In form of dia-
logue, the actors dramatized such stor-
les as Christ's birth, the Prodigal Son,
The Crucifixion, etc.
Thus we see that Christianity in
fluenced English art to such an extent
that music, architecture, literature,
and drama flourished immensely. Con-
sequently as Thanksgiving approach
es this year, we should with due re-
verence and praise, thank Him for
whom Thanksgiving was begun. We
can easily picture our Pilgrim fathers
slated around huge wooden table,
laden with wild vegetable, fruit and
game, with the Indians as their guests,
praising God for His goodness and
mercies during their first year in
America. These honest, devout Christ
ians had courage, as well as great
principles. Let us then not fail them,
but rather may we be equally as
courageous, good, and devout on our
Thanksgiving 1889.
SOCIAL NEWS
A farewell party was given to Shir-
ley Townsend by several of her friends
at Irene Tull's last week. Those pres
ent We're Cordlia Price, Hazel Disha-
room, Mary Alice Wimbrow, Virginia
Chopper, Doris Payne, Janet Haddock,
Florence Laws, Bill Ward, Arthur Han
cock, Howard Taylor, Oakley Hall,
Ohio Mariner, Bill Scott, Stanley
Cropper, Granville Hall and Charles
Jones.
Eleanor Jones spent the Thanksgiv-
ing holidays visiting friends in Tren-
ton.
Betty Jones spent part of the holt
days in Salisbury.
Irene Tull 40 spent the Thanksgiv-
ing holidays at South Hill, Va.
Doris Payne 40 spent several days
in Pocomoke.