The GLIO Site

THE REFORMATION.

     An interesting lecture was delivered on Friday evening, the 12th, in the National School-room, Petersfield, by the Rev. Thomas Field, M.A., our assistant curate, on the ‟Reformation.” After a few preliminary observations, in which the rev. gentleman stated that he found, upon entering on his task, that it would be utterly impossible for him to convey anything like a tolerable idea of the Reformation in one lecture, he must, therefore, confine his remarks to the consideration of the subject, in England alone. He proceeded first to establish the early independence of the British church. The historical facts recorded by the lecturer were quite sufficient to convince the most sceptical that the gospel was planted in this island quite independently of Rome. We felt much gratified to hear it stated in such clear and incontrovertible terms that whilst we owed a debt of gratitude to Augustine and his monks for their assistance in converting the Anglo-Saxons in the southern part of Britain, we were also under great obligations to the zeal and devotion of the Irish church, which lent a willing hand to assist in converting the Saxons. The fact of the Irish Christian church being in such a flourishing condition at that period is a circumstance too frequently overlooked by many English people, whilst a far greater number—those who are not very conversant with church history—would feel half inclined to think a person non compos mentis who would venture to state that we were under any obligation to the Irish church in this respect. We doubt not but the lecturer’s remarks on this subject must have been very pleasing to his hearers who take an active interest at the present time in sending the scriptures in their purity to the native Irish Roman Catholics—as Petersfield, in its many works of charity and piety, does not even forget this labor of love. The lecturer then proceeded to notice the growing errors of the Church of Rome, and the progress of her influence in this country. He noticed the introduction of the different orders of monks, and dwelt at some length upon the disputes and differences between the regular and secular clergy. During the darkest time, however, of England’s night, the truth was never completely England's night, the truth was never completely banished. The word of truth, though frequently well nigh extinguished beneath the corruptions of Rome, occasionally gave symptoms of life and animation. The smouldering embers, however, in these dark ages, no sooner gave signs of flame, than they were smothered by the wiles and tricks of Rome, till the champion of truth and liberty appeared in the person of Wickliffe. So bold were this hero’s measures, and so powerful were his plans for the eradication of error and the establishment of truth that the rotten principles of Rome were forced to yield to his superior sway. No sooner did this ‟Morning Star” of the Reformation appear than brighter days began to dawn for England’s future; no sooner did that increased light, which his translation of the Bible afforded, make its appearance than the baseless fabric of error and superstition began to quake and totter to its fall. It is true that his efforts were not so successful as to show the truth in all its purity, still, they were the harbingers of a brighter light which was to shine forth with greater splendour at the Reformation. This ‟Morning Star” ushered in the dawn of a brighter day, which although sometimes obscured with clouds and threatening storms, still continued with to progress till it reached its meridian splendour at the Reformation in the 16th century. It was very plainly shown that the Reformation in this country was not the work of Henry VIII.; but that the progress of civilisation and the advancement of knowledge at this particular period had opened men’s minds to enable them to see the errors of Rome, and to give them a longing for the truth in its purity. It pleased an Almighty disposer of events, however, to develope to a great extent those germs which had been so long concealed beneath the mask of ignorance, although frequently showing signs of animation, even in the reign of Harry the Eighth; thus showing that He doeth as it seemeth to Him best, and ‟none can stay His hand.”

     In proposing a vote of thanks, our rector, the Rev. J. M. Sumner, M.A., made some very apposite remarks, in which he showed the importance of the study of history, more particularly of that connected with the subject under consideration, as it would have a twofold advantage—not only would it be a means of cultivating and disciplining the mind, but it would also be a means of making us thankful for the many and great privileges we enjoy in this our happy country, and thus feeling more sensible of our privileges, he trusted we would act up to our profession with greater consistency. The vote of thanks was seconded by the Rev. T. Floud, and carried by acclamation.

     The next lecture will be on Friday, the 26th inst., by the Rev. J. Haldane Stewart, M.A., on ‟A Week in the Crimea in 1856.” From the ability of the lecturer, as well as the interesting character of the subject, we hope to have a full house. We are much pleased to be able to state that the last two lectures have been a great deal better attended.