June 3 in Church History

[VirginiaHuguenot]

On June 3,

* 1162: Thomas a Becket is consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury;

* 1647: The Puritan British Parliament bans Christmas and other holidays; and

* 1905: Hudson Taylor, English missionary to China and founder of the China Inland Mission, dies.

 

[Texas Aggie]

Just curious... why did the Puritian British Parliament ban Christmas and other holidays? I would also imagine Easter was one banished also.

 

[VirginiaHuguenot]

Yes, Easter observance was among the holidays banned by Parliament too. This legislation was passed at the in the context of the ongoing work of the Westminster Assembly which condemned all Roman Catholic and pagan holidays in the 1645 Directory of Publick Worship as unBiblical because they were contrary to the Regulative Principle of Worship. Similar legislation was passed by the Puritans in Massachusetts in the following decade. Puritans were unanimously opposed to all such holidays as superstitious observances which violated the second and fourth commandments and were contrary to the public welfare, both spiritual and temporal.

 

[Texas Aggie]

Good information. Thanks Andrew.

 

[Authorised]

Hands down the best day in all history.

 

[VirginiaHuguenot]

Originally posted by Texas Aggie
Good information. Thanks Andrew.

You're welcome!

 

[VirginiaHuguenot]