P S 
 
 3505 
 
 A44 
 
 S27 
 
 1912 
 
 MAIN 
 
GIFT OF 
 Class of 1887 
 
Savonarola c AU r R 
 
 and 
 
 John Knox 
 
 BY 
 
 Donald Cameron 
 
 San Francisco, Cal. 
 1912 
 
.* ..:: 
 
 i V -. ": : : 
 - *. - 
 
s. nevertheless in both cases the truth was preserved 
 and began a new life with the impulse of its immortality. 
 
 Savonarola resembled the reformers in his appeal to Scrip 
 ture. He is modern also in his appeal to personal religious ex 
 perience as opposed to the authority of the ancients. He lived 
 during the Italian Renaissance and protested against the Pa 
 ganism that it brought with it in making the profane writers 
 authorities in the pulpit instead of Christ and His appostles. 
 He held that men in his day were as capable of being directly 
 taught of God with the light of Scripture as those of former 
 times and thus asserted our great Protestant principle that men 
 should think for themselves in matters of religion with the 
 proviso, of course, of heedfulness and divine help. A true re 
 vival must be the result of ripening forces and the culmination 
 of spiritual agencies. 
 
 Savonarola was born September 21, 1452, in Ferrara, Italy, 
 and died at Florence, May 23, 1498, aged 45 years. He was 
 both prophet and statesman rebuking the worldliness and self 
 ishness of the priests, speaking the truth in love tu high and 
 low, showing a noble disregard of personal gain in his work 
 as pastor and patriot. 
 
 The following dialogues present a brief, realistic sketch of 
 the main features of his life and character. 
 
CAST OF CHARACTERS 
 
 SAVONAROLA 
 
 Charles VIII. King of France. 
 
 Savonarola Prior of Saint Marks. 
 
 Arrabratti (Furies literally) Savonarola s political enemies. 
 
 Pignoni (weepers, literally) Savonarola s political friends. 
 
 Piero Deposed head of Florentine state. 
 
 Capponi and Valori Members of Florentine Government. 
 
 Salviati Captain of the guard. 
 
 Domenico A friar and friend of Savonarola. 
 
 F. Cini A member of the Eight. 
 
 Signory, Commissioners, Messengers. 
 
 Act I. Scene 1. Florence. 
 
 Officer: 
 
 The signory since you have been away 
 Have turned your enemies and boldly say 
 You are unfit to rule. 
 
 Piero : 
 
 But I have made the King of France my friend 
 His amity is pledged and he will soon 
 In conquest march through Florence. 
 
Officer : 
 
 You have indeed won Charles, King of France, 
 
 By gifts, of money and surrendering 
 
 Of three stout fortresses into his hands. 
 
 But you have lost the people s love and flamed 
 
 The fire of liberty that smothered lay 
 
 Beneath the fuel of your tyrrany- 
 
 Another Potentate in Florence reigns, 
 
 Shrined in the people s heart whose word is law 
 
 Over the populace and signory. 
 
 I mean Savonarola whom with gifts 
 
 Of fortresses or worlds you cannot buy. 
 
 1 well remember in your father s time 
 
 How oft your father in the convent grounds 
 
 Would walk that he might win a gracious smile 
 
 From the monks lips and when all measures failed 
 
 I carried gold your father gave to me 
 
 To win the friar s favor, who replied 
 
 He had enough ; plain raiment and plain food 
 
 And the blessed privelege of doing good; 
 
 But on the poor by good Saint Martin s guild 
 
 He would bestow the gold ; and so the gift 
 
 Went to the poor. Before your father died 
 
 He called him to restore the liberties 
 
 Of Florence. Thus o er people he hath gained 
 
 An empire tha still grows from less to more. 
 
 Piero : 
 
 But when the King of France in victory 
 
 Rides through the streets of Florence and declares 
 
 His friendship for me then the signory 
 
 Will iind that I am stronger than they deem. 
 
 Officer : 
 
 Tis by Savonarola s prophecy, 
 
 The King of Fnrnce invadeth Italy; 
 
But whether he can turn the hostile flood 
 To his own will and purpose time will prove. 
 
 Act I. Scene 2. Florence 
 
 Second Piagnoni: 
 
 The Signory in council hath declared 
 Piero is unfit to rule. 
 
 Second Piagnon: 
 
 Passing the palace even now I saw 
 Piero driven from the door. I trow 
 The Medici have suffered overthrow. 
 
 (The great bell of the Signory peals the alarm.) 
 Hark the bell sounding, calling us to arms, 
 Hasten, betake ye to the palace all, 
 Florence for aid in dire distress doth call. 
 
 Valori : 
 
 Need have ye citizens to rush and throng 
 
 To rescue Florence from the dreaded foe. 
 
 I have but now come from the King of France, 
 
 To whom they sent me as embassador. 
 
 Piero went before and stole away 
 
 The King s goodwill. Three of our fortresses 
 
 He weakly yielded the invading foe. 
 
 Tis now long time the Medici have robbed 
 
 Our Florence of its precious liberties. 
 
 Third Piagnoni: 
 
 Forth from the city gates your enemy 
 Piero with a few attendants fled, 
 And is declared to be an enemy, 
 TCxiled from Florence by the Signory. 
 
Valori: 
 
 Then half our task is done, the next must be 
 To build the walls that guard our liberty. 
 
 Act I. Scene 3. Florence. The Palace, 
 
 Signory, King Charles and Savonarola 
 Capponi : 
 
 \Yo have extended to our utmost strength 
 The terms of treaty with the King of France. 
 
 King Charles: 
 
 Piero made more generous promise 
 Than doth the Signory. 
 
 Capponi : 
 
 Piero can fulfill no promise made 
 To Charles, King of Prance : he is expelled, 
 And never shall return. We shall fulfill 
 Our promise as we can, but you impose 
 More than our burdened citizens can bear. 
 
 Charles : 
 
 Refuse, and you will hear our trumpets sound. 
 
 Capponi : 
 
 And we will quickly sound our city bells. 
 
 Charles : 
 
 See my cuirassers and my cavalry, 
 Such sight was ne er before in Florence seen 
 or armed host. Behold the flower of France, 
 On their brave steeds caparisoned: behold 
 
 8 
 
My Scottish archers, my Swiss infantry 
 Bright with their burnished steel. 
 
 Savonarola : 
 
 King, beware! The Signory have tried 
 To meet with your demands, be merciful. 
 I prophesied that like the king of old, 
 King Cyrus, you would override your foes: 
 But if you be unmerciful, unjust, 
 You yet may meet defeat. 
 
 Charles : 
 
 Conclude the treaty and in peace join hands, 
 The King of France doth yield you your demands. 
 
 Savonarola : 
 
 Delays are dangerous, no longer stay, 
 But lead your army forth upon its way. 
 Begone from Florence ere your good thoughts die, 
 Drowned in the river of your revelry. 
 
 Act I. Scene IV. Florence. Signory and Savonarola 
 Capponi : 
 
 The Signory return thee heartfelt thanks, 
 Savonarola, for thine aid to them. 
 But for thine aid, the King of France would still 
 Hold midnight revels in our Palace hall. 
 Such awe thy prophecies in him inspired, 
 He harked to thee when other voices failed 
 To move him hence. We joy that he is gone. 
 Thy further counsel we desire to heal 
 The sickness that besets our commonweal. 
 
 Savonarola : 
 
 Kindness and common reason will supply 
 
 9 
 
For present needs a timely remedy, 
 
 With Venice for your pattern, keep the reigns 
 
 Of office firmly in the peoples hands. 
 
 Trust not your liberty to senators, 
 
 Who yield to you the name of liberty, 
 
 But rob you of its power. A council great 
 
 Must be the head and centre of your state, 
 
 To which all officers must give account. 
 
 The Pope eyes Florence that he may secure 
 
 Abundance for his children, while Milan 
 
 And Naples and Piero seek to make 
 
 Of Florence slaves. 0, let the heavens reign; 
 
 Beware of priests, who, with imposing show 
 
 Of chants, processions, ornaments, displace 
 
 The worship of the heart. In former days, 
 
 The chalice was of wood, the prelate gold, 
 
 But now the chalice gold, the prelate wood. 
 
 Let Christ be King of Florence and anon 
 
 Joy will appear and misery be gone. 
 
 Act I. Scene 5, Florence Street. 
 
 First Arrabiati : 
 
 Savonarola bravely mounts aloft 
 
 The signory, his servants, while the king 
 
 Who reigns o er France, trembles before his frown. 
 
 Second Arrabiati: 
 
 Ilo truly hath attained to lofty state, 
 
 But there are dangers that surround the great. 
 
 In league with Florence and Milan, the Pope 
 
 Regards the friar as an enemy 
 
 To his desires. His potent enemies 
 
 \\V shall cin ploy to further our design 
 
 Oi revolution and the friar s fall. 
 
 10 
 
Act II. Scene 7. Saint Marks. 
 
 Savonarola : 
 
 Meekly obedient to authority 
 
 Upon receipt of orders sent from Rome, 
 
 That I should go from Florence and proceed 
 
 To Lucca, I resolved to go when, lo, 
 
 Another message came that said, remain. 
 
 Methought that Papal briefs more weighty were 
 
 Than like a gossamer that floats in air, 
 
 To be thus blown away by people s breath. 
 
 Then why should I esteem of heavy weight, 
 
 What seemeth of itself to be so light? 
 
 Domenico : 
 
 It joyeth me that you shall still remain. 
 
 Savonarola : 
 
 But where, Domenico, the fount and head, 
 Of the authority that rules our lives? 
 With God or Rome, with truth or flattery? 
 But the Arrabiatti and their wrath 
 Shall not divert my feet from virtue s path. 
 
 Act II. Scene 2. Florence. 
 
 First Arrabiatti: 
 
 Clouds gather deeply o er the friar s head, 
 
 A summons from the Pope called him to Rome, 
 
 And he replied that the affairs of state 
 
 Pressed on his shoulders with such grievous weight, 
 
 That he was sick and might, besides, be killed 
 
 By dagger or by poison if he dared 
 
 Essay the journey. Now, a brief hath come, 
 
 That bids him silence : should he violate 
 
 11 
 
By public speach the order thus enjoined, 
 He will more fast be caught within the toils. 
 
 Second Arrabiatti: 
 
 There are so many darts thrown thick and fast, 
 His foes so many are that he must fall. 
 
 Act II. Scene 3. Florence. Saint Marks. 
 
 Savonarola, in his room; enter a servant. 
 
 Servant : 
 
 A priest, arrived from Rome, would speak with you, 
 
 Savonarola : 
 
 Bid him come in. 
 Enter Antonio. 
 
 Antonio : 
 
 Antonio, my name, a priest, from Rome, 
 A messenger I come, sent by the Pope, 
 Expressly to hold friendly conference ; 
 For he hath heard of your consuming zeal, 
 And your obedience to your holy vows. 
 He would approve and honor and reward 
 All generous service of the brotherhood. 
 
 Savonarola : 
 
 I am surprised ; he put me under bond, 
 
 And straitly charged me that I hold my peace. 
 
 Antonio : 
 
 Tis true, your enemies have said hard things 
 Regarding you at Rome, yet wishing not 
 To harm the innocent, he hath enquired 
 To know the truth, that so he might reward 
 Your service, and, therefore, hath sent me here. 
 
 12 
 
Savonarola: 
 
 I wrote what learned fathers wrote before, 
 
 And taught the doctrines of the church, no more. 
 
 Antonio : 
 
 Your writings by a Cardinal at Rome, 
 
 Reported, were as learned, good and wise. 
 
 In charity forgotten be the past ; 
 
 I have come here to make to you amends, 
 
 And set you high among Rome s chief est friends, 
 
 An honor many covet, few receive, 
 
 A gift so great the world would scarce believe 
 
 In the Pope s name I offer. 
 
 Savonarola : 
 
 Offer what? 
 
 Antonio : 
 
 Can you conceive? 
 
 Savonarola: 
 I cannot. 
 
 Antonio : 
 
 In the Pope s name, in token of esteem, 
 I proffer you a Cardinal s crimson crown. 
 Hail, Cardinal Savonarola, hail. 
 
 Savonarola: 
 
 I seek not wealth and honor, but so strange, 
 
 The gift you proffer that I shall reply 
 
 In my next sermon in the Duomo. 
 
 Come there for my reply. Meanwhile, farewell. 
 
 Exit Antonio. 
 mockery ! Profanity more deep 
 
 13 
 
Unfolds itself to my beholding eyes. 
 Priests, princes traffic with the sacred things, 
 Briefs, dispensations, and the papal throne, 
 Favors of priests and princes, all are sold 
 Unto the highest bidder in Rome s mart. 
 One day an excommunicate, and banned, 
 For speaking truth, the next a Cardinal, 
 Bribed to betray it ; what the consequence 
 Of being either when the slightest cause 
 Can make or unmake both? They ill divine 
 Savonarola and his heart who think 
 That he for gold or honor can be bought. 
 "When next I speak, I trow they then shall find 
 How far their plummet failed to reach my mind. 
 
 Act II. Scene 4. Duomo. 
 
 Savonarola: 
 
 How is it, friar, that you have been so long? 
 
 Hath fear detained you? What hath been amiss? 
 
 Listen and I will speak. A youth left home, 
 
 And in a bark went sailing by the shore, 
 
 When lo, the master of the ship steered forth 
 
 Into the darkness, and tempestuous night, 
 
 Far from the sight and safety of the shore. 
 
 That youth now stands before you. Such am I. 
 
 The master let me forth upon the sea, 
 
 And like the fishermen of Galilee, 
 
 I toss on darkling billows. Towering high 
 
 The wrath of Rome is o er me as a flood. 
 
 The citizens of Florence seek my blood; 
 
 They offer me a Cardinal s red hat, 
 
 But I prefer my worn, time-tattered gown, 
 
 A life unstained, a martyr s blood-red crown, 
 
 Mine enemies shall slay me by and by, 
 
 But from the battle I shall never fly. 
 
 14 
 
Act III. Scene 1. Church of the Badia. 
 
 Messenger: 
 
 Here is a brief from Rome. You are informed, 
 You must proclaim the prior of Saint Marks, 
 Savonarola, excommunicate. 
 He hath despised the Pope s authority; 
 For when an order summoned him to Rome, 
 He disobeyed, and when to silence bound, 
 He broke his silence. 
 
 Priest : 
 
 It shall be done as it hath been enjoined. 
 With torchlight and the pealing of our bells, 
 The excommunication shall be read. 
 
 Act III. Scene 2. Duomo. 
 
 Savonarola: 
 
 I care not for their torches and their bells, 
 
 By which with hollow pomp they advertise 
 
 A cause unholy. Light no Pope can quench. 
 
 Is a good conscience in a Christian heart. 
 
 To do a wrong none have a right divine ; 
 
 No law condemns the right; my righteous cause 
 
 Hath the support of earth s and heaven s laws, 
 
 When a Pope errs and doeth grievous ill, 
 
 And worketh not the potter s blessed will, 
 
 An instrument divine no more is he, 
 
 But a base tool, marred, broken and despised. 
 
 Act III. Scene 3. Florence Street. 
 
 First Arrabiatti: 
 
 The Pope a broken tool ! This word will go 
 To Rome and more increase the friar s woe. 
 
 15 
 
Second Arrabiatti: 
 
 Piero, Pope, Milan, all Italy 
 
 Do battle with the friar and his friends, 
 
 He battles bravely, but the end draws near. 
 
 Act IV. Scene 1. Saint Marks. Florence. 
 
 Savonarola: 
 
 According to a custom heretofore 
 Whereby the church when grave occasion was 
 Convened in council to deliberate 
 On its affairs, these letters to the Kings 
 Of England, Germany and France and Spain 
 We have addressed requesting them that they 
 Should call a council to deliberate 
 On present evils and their just reform. 
 Should they convene there will be such a stir, 
 As when the Master drove the trafficker 
 With whip and mandate from the sacred courts. 
 Enter friar. 
 
 Friar: 
 
 A messenger would see Domenico. 
 
 Domenico : 
 
 Let him come in. 
 
 Messenger : 
 
 I am commanded Fra Domenico, 
 To bear a message from the Signory, 
 And from some friars of the Minorites, 
 They say to terminate this long dispute, 
 Between Savonarola and the Pope, 
 They challenge you to ordeal of fire- 
 Our champion, a Minorite and friar, 
 
 16 
 
Doth challenge you Domenico to come 
 
 To ordeal of fire in public view, 
 
 That all may know if ye be false or true. 
 
 He will go through the fire and if unscathed, 
 
 He shall return, his cause shall stand approved; 
 
 You, too, shall pass through flame, should you consent 
 
 To meet his challenge. If unsinged, you come 
 
 Forth from the fire, your cause shall be held just, 
 
 But if you perish, all the world shall know 
 
 Savonarola is a prophet false. 
 
 Domenico : 
 
 Tell thou the friar and tell the Signory, 
 
 Domenico doth champion the cause 
 
 Of truth Savonarola doth maintain, 
 
 And through the flaming fire shall fearless go. 
 
 If I return from the fierce fire unscathed, 
 
 Savonarola is a prophet true; 
 
 If false, I shall be burned. 
 
 Messenger: 
 
 I shall your message so communicate, 
 
 And when the time arrives we shall set forth 
 
 The terms of our dispute in order due. 
 
 Act IV. Scene 2. Florence. The Piazza. 
 
 Two hundred friars of Saint Marks enter the Piazza with a 
 crucifix in front, followed by Fra Domenico, dressed with a 
 cope of red velvet and bearing a crucifix, followed by Savon 
 arola. 
 
 Behind them a crowd with torches singing, "Rise, Lord, and 
 Let Thine Enemies be Scattered/ The Signory and the 
 champion of the Minorites, who is to go through the ordeal of 
 fire with Domenico, are in the palace. Domenico and Savon 
 arola take their place near a brick platform where the fire is 
 
 17 
 
to be placed. A company of soldiers control the crowd and ac 
 as guard to the friars under Salviati. 
 
 Domenico : 
 
 Bring out your champion to essay the fire. 
 
 Savonarola : 
 
 Along the stage the friars both shall pass, 
 Before a burning torch shall be applied, 
 Behind another torch shall close the way, 
 And cut off their retreat. 
 
 Messenger : 
 
 The Signory would know why ye delay? 
 
 Savonarola: 
 
 The two must pass together, are the terms. 
 
 Messenger : 
 
 Is there not some enchantment in the cope 
 Domenico hath on? 
 
 Savonarola: 
 
 We deal not in enchantments. 
 
 Messenger : 
 
 The Signory would have Domenico, 
 
 ve the crimson mantle that he wears. 
 
 Domenico : 
 
 1 lay aside the cope. Without delay, 
 Mrinjc forth your champion. 
 
 Messenger : 
 
 The signory, not satisfied, still fear 
 
 18 
 
Savonarola hath enchantment wrought 
 Upon the clothing of Domenico. 
 
 Savonarola: 
 
 Change garments, then no more delay, but haste 
 To the fulfillment of the ordeal. 
 
 (Domenico changes garments). 
 
 Savonarola : 
 
 I observe your whispering. 
 
 Messenger: 
 
 Savonarola, you must stand away, 
 And come not nearer to Domenico, 
 Lest you again enchant him. 
 
 (Citizen : 
 
 Tis past the hour set for the miracle, 
 It is the miracle that we would see. 
 
 (The Arrabiatti crowd in to kill Savonarola.) 
 
 Salviati: 
 
 Back, dare to cross the line, and you shall feel 
 The whetted point of Salviati s steel. 
 
 Messenger: 
 
 By false delay the time hath been consumed 
 So that the ordeal can not take place. 
 So says the Signory. 
 
 Salviati : 
 
 Back, clear a pathway so that to their home 
 Safely, my soldiers may the friars guide. 
 
 19 
 
Act IV. Scene 3. Saint Marks. 
 
 A riot proceeding. The mob, composed of Arrabiatti, assa 
 the convent which is defended by some friendly Piagnoni. 
 
 Arrabiatti : 
 
 Open your gates and lead the friars forth. 
 They have kept Florence and all Italy 
 In storm and turmoil with their prophecy. 
 
 Piag noni : 
 
 We, with our lives, defend the convent wall. 
 
 Domenico, within: 
 
 Cease friends to further fight in our defense, 
 
 We go, Savonarola and myself, 
 
 To give ourselves up to the Signory. 
 
 Piagnoni : 
 
 Forsake us not ; you will be torn to death. 
 
 Savonarola : 
 
 Then marching to the chapel let us there 
 Take in our hands the mighty shield of prayer 
 And cry, Lord, save thy people. 
 
 (Enter Messenger.) 
 
 Messenger : 
 
 The Signory require that you appear 
 Before them at the palace to account 
 For this night s deeds. 
 
 Savonarola: 
 
 \Ve yield ourselves, lead on. 
 
 20 
 
Girolino Gini: 
 
 Full oft Savonarola have I asked 
 
 To be admitted to your holy house, 
 
 And you have oft refused. Behold the blood 
 
 Flows from my wounds sustained in your defense ; 
 
 Let this red stream prove my sincerity, 
 
 Give thou the robe whereby I pledge myself 
 
 A soldier of the cross. 
 
 Savonarola : 
 
 Bring forth the robe and let him be received. 
 Macebearer lead us to the Signory. 
 
 Act V. Scene 1. The Palace, Florence. 
 
 Commissioner : 
 
 We are appointed by authority, 
 
 To question you that we may truly know 
 
 Your prophecies, seditions, heresies. 
 
 Savonarola : 
 
 I taught none other than the church hath taught. 
 
 Commissioner : 
 
 We are empowered by Rome to wring the truth, 
 By force of rack and pulley from your mouth. 
 Lead the obdurate friar to the rack; 
 Let that persuade him, 
 
 (They apply the rack). 
 Will you confess what base accomplices 
 Have aided and encouraged your revolt? 
 
 Savonarola : 
 
 Against iniquity I made revolt 
 My ally was the truth. 
 
 21 
 
Commissioner : 
 
 Lead him away, another time mayhap 
 He will confession make of his offense. 
 
 Act V. Scene 2, Florence. 
 
 First Arrabiatti: 
 
 Thus far by rack and pulley, they have failed 
 To doom the friar, but from Rome have come 
 Commissioners resolved to see him die. 
 
 Second Arrabiatti : 
 
 Will they succeed? 
 
 First Arrabiatti: 
 
 As they passed through the street the people cried, 
 Death to the friars, and they then replied, 
 Be sure the friar dies. 
 
 Second Arrabiatti: 
 
 Twice they have tried him : What more can they do? 
 
 First Arrabiatti : 
 
 A robber band seized on a messenger 
 
 Savonarola sent the King of France, 
 
 In which he made complaint against the Pope, 
 
 And priests as men of evil lives, 
 
 And calling for a council to reform 
 
 The grievances. The robber band observed 
 
 The contents were of import, and forthwith 
 
 Despatched the letter to Milan and thence 
 
 It was forwarded to the Pope in Rome. 
 
 Be sure the friar dies. 
 
 22 
 
Act V. Scene 3. Palace, Florence. 
 
 Commissioners from Rome and Signory. 
 Commissioner : 
 
 We thank the Signory that they have brought 
 
 The prior of Saint Marks to punishment, 
 
 In recognition of fidelity, 
 
 The Pope remits to Florence payment due 
 
 For tithes of three full years. 
 
 We have a full and faithful trial held, 
 
 Touching Savonarola and his friends, 
 
 We find them guilty and decide they die. 
 
 Signory : 
 
 The eight whose custom and whose office is 
 Sentence upon the guilty to pronounce, 
 Shall publicly their confirmation give 
 To this your voice. 
 
 Cini: 
 
 When from your darkened chambers shall go forth 
 To the white light of day, your sentence dark, 
 Cry that I Cini, member of the Eight, 
 Am absent from your company. 
 
 Signory: 
 
 Record his protest but the sentence holds. 
 
 Act V. Scene 4. Florence, Piazza. 
 Stage for execution. 
 
 Priest : 
 
 Put off your robes ; your hands must now be bound. 
 
 23 
 
Bishop : 
 
 Clothe them again that they may be unfrocked, 
 And from their office formally deposed, 
 From the church militant I here declare, 
 That thou art separate. 
 
 Savonarola : 
 
 Not from the church triumphant ; tis not thine, 
 From that no earthty power can separate. 
 How dearly did I long to wear this gown, 
 1 lay it off to take the martyr s crown. 
 
 The Eight: 
 
 There being absent from our company, 
 Francisco Cini; we, The Eight, decree, 
 That ye be hanged and then be burned with fire. 
 
 Domenico : 
 
 Te Deum laudamus. 
 
 Savonarola : 
 
 In earth s last hour my comfort is in God. 
 
 Priest : 
 
 Tell Rome Savonarola s soul hath fled. 
 
 Piagnoni : 
 
 Around this sacred spot sweet flowers to spread, 
 Let us return at dawning of the day. 
 
 24 
 
JOHN KNOX. 
 
 OHN KNOX was born in Scotland in 1515 (or as 
 some say, 1505), seventeen years after the death of 
 Savonarola. There was a striking resemblance be 
 tween the two men. Both were fearless champions 
 of the truth, lovers of their country, and leaders of men. Both 
 distinguished themselves in popular oratory and statesman 
 ship. Both upheld high standards of morality and were plain 
 and fearless in the denunciation of unrighteousness, with a vein 
 of tenderness running through the understrata of their lives. 
 What Savonarola was to the Signory and the Italian princes, 
 Knox was to the Parliament and the Scottish Queen. Luther, 
 bearing a striking resemblance to both men, was born seventeen 
 years before the death of Savonarola. We have thus a cluster 
 of three suns appearing in the ecclesiastical firmament about the 
 same time, and shedding a lustre o er the world. 
 
 Knox has left his imprint on Scotland and seemed a type of 
 his nation, but he is a colossal figure casting his influence over 
 England, France, Switzerland, in all of which countries he 
 labored as an evangelist. While giving out much he also re 
 ceived much, for he was not a pioneer thinker like Luther and 
 Savonarola, but coming later in the day to his task he was 
 rather a mighty warrior wielding the weapons that others had 
 sharpened for his hands. To Calvin, with whom he was per 
 sonally acquainted and associated, he was indebted in a measure 
 for his theology, but he was himself a scholar speaking French 
 fluently and acquainted with ecclessiastical lore. The unity 
 of the church and the Divine origin of the Reformation is 
 strikingly apparent in the interdependence of the nations on 
 each other for its truths and impulses. England, Switzerland, 
 France, Germany, Scotland, were all moved upon at the same 
 time by the same truths, surely an evidence that the move- 
 
 25 
 
ment was of more than human origin and human wisdom or 
 power. 
 
 Educated for the priesthood he finally ranged himself on the 
 Protestant side and was soon noted as one fitted to be a leader 
 in the church. Before Knox s day the Scottish Reformation 
 had received a start from the followers of the English Reformer 
 Wyelif. Ahout 1400, Wyclif s followers succeeded in sowing 
 the seed of evangelical truth in Scotland. Even the preaching 
 and martyrdom of Hus, the Bohemian, spread its influence 
 there. By 1525 Lutheran hooks were circulated, and in 1526, 
 Tyndale s translation of the New Testament was distributed 
 in the seaport tow r ns. The Reformation in Scotland, therefore, 
 was not of man, but of God, through many instruments and by 
 seeds of immortal truth that had been carried from Bohemia, 
 Germany and England. It was demonstrated then, as at the 
 first age of gospel history, that the blood of the martyrs was 
 the seed of the church. The immediate predecessor of Knox, 
 as a reformer, was Patrick Hamilton. He learned the Lutheran 
 doctrine at Paris and returning to his native land he preached 
 it and sealed the testimony with martyrdom. 
 
 But such was the effect of his testimony that they said the 
 smoke of the martyr s fire had infected the people on whom it 
 blow with the same doctrine. 
 
 After his conversion, Knox spent some time as an evangelist 
 in England under Archbishop Cranmer, and the patronage of 
 the young King Edward VI. to whom he acted as chaplain. 
 On the death of Edward, with premonitions of coming persecu 
 tion, he passed over to the continent, finally returning to Scot- 
 laud to take up his gigantic struggle in the evangelization and 
 political defense of his native land. In addition to his char 
 acter as a Christian, lie affords us a striking example of un- 
 sdtish self-sacrificing patriotism. 
 
 The two striking figures in the history of Scotland at this 
 HUM are Knox, and Mary. Queen of Scots, the one reigning in 
 
 26 
 
Holyrood, a checquered reign, the other reigning from his pul 
 pit in Saint Giles, his spiritual as well as civil battle. Mary 
 represented the passing Romanism, Knox, the new-horn Re 
 formed faith and practice. 
 
 By reason alike of his scholarship and his seniority in age 
 he had an advantage that more than compensated for the ex 
 alted station of the young queen. Had Mary s policies pre 
 vailed the handles of civilization would have been long delayed 
 on the dial of time, but Knox s energy and intrepidity won the 
 day. He overcame turbulent nobles as he overcame the queen 
 and secured political as well as religious liberty. 
 
 While Knox was certainly an organizer in church and state, 
 it was not till later that the Presbyterian Church assumed its 
 present form of government. Beneath Knox, the ruler and 
 hero, we must look for Knox, the evangelist, and behind Knox, 
 the evangelist, we must look for the other witnesses of the 
 faith, Wyclif and Luther, Savonarola and Hus, and behind them 
 all we must look for Christ. He is the beginning and end, the 
 all in all, the seed from whom all are sprung the root and off 
 spring of David, the bright and morning star. Principles are 
 before politics and the Prince from whom our principles are 
 drawn is Christ. Inspirations are before and above institutions 
 as a political force, and character is more potent than charters. 
 Knox and other reformers inspired men with a sense of Jesus 
 Christ as the king of men in church and state, and this was 
 above all forms and methods of government. The Scotish cov 
 enanters were Knox s natural successors. Their motto was, 
 "Christ s crown and covenant." Even the Parliament and 
 nation of England became subject to their imperial theocracy, 
 the price they were obliged to pay for their military services in 
 their war against the impositions of King Charles. 
 
 As recently as 1844 the disruption of the free church in ;i 
 protest against ecclessiastical patronage was an outgrowth of 
 the Reformation. We must not allow our view of the polity of 
 Presbyterianism to obscure our view of its theology if we would 
 
 27 
 
estimate it aright as a spiritual force in the Kingdom of God 
 among men. Christ is King is the banner of the Presbyterian 
 church today as of the covenanters of yesterday; King of the 
 whole man, heart and reason, life and destiny, individual and 
 national, international and world-wide. 
 
 The King of Reason is not science but Christ, and the probe 
 of the chemist has been as incapable to dethrone Him as the 
 sword of the tyrant. As He becomes Supreme King in the 
 church s heart, church unity will increase and schism cease. 
 
 Having then a great High Priest, who hath passed through 
 the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our con 
 fession. Let us, therefore, draw near with boldness unto the 
 throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace 
 to help in time of need. Hebrews 4 :14, 16. 
 
 KING IMMANUEL 
 
 I 
 
 N Bethlehem s royal city was born the King of love, 
 Prince of Peace, whose ensign royal was the meek and 
 gentle dove ; 
 
 And His coming was in silence, to the world yet unknown, 
 Low His lot, devoid of splendors, that surround an earthly 
 
 throne. 
 
 In the common life He mingled, quiet home, and busy mart, 
 And the conquest He aspired to was the Empire of the Heart. 
 
 From his throne the great Augustus spread his sceptre o er the 
 
 world, 
 
 Over distant fields in triumph Roman eagles were unfurled. 
 Which shall conquer? Sword or spirit? Reign of law or reign 
 
 of love? 
 
 Shall it be the Roman eagle? or the Galileean dove? 
 Caesar, with his Roman sword girt, standing o er a prostrate 
 
 foe? 
 
 28 
 
Christ with towel girt for service, as a servant stooping low? 
 Let the ages that have risen since that early Christmas morn 
 When the angels to the shepherd s sang with joy that Christ 
 was born. 
 
 Answer with their flood of voices, voice of age succeeding age, 
 While unrolls the sacred story from the long historic page, 
 Let the nations, let the martyrs, make the world s echoes ring 
 With the spirit stirring answer, loud and joyful, Christ is King. 
 Let the maiden martyr, dying firm, heroic, at the stake 
 Seal in blood and fire the power of the prophet word he spake 
 Let the sage, the king, the peasant, all in one their tribute 
 bring, 
 
 That for heart and home and nation o er the world Christ is 
 King. 
 
 He will make our earth a heaven; God hath come with us to 
 dwell, 
 
 Life immortal to us given ! Prince of Peace, Immanuel. 
 Broader, brighter, gladder, fuller, as time s current forward 
 
 rolls, 
 Grows the splendor of His Kingdom, Lord of glory, King of 
 
 souls, 
 
 Let us hail Him King and Savior, let us of His glory sing 
 In our hearts and lives we throne thee, we adore thee, Christ 
 
 our King. 
 
 29 
 
VENI CREATOR SPIRITUS 
 
 The Latin version of this hymn was written according to some by 
 Gregory the Great in the sixth century; according to others by Rabanus 
 Maurus, a German bishop, in the ninth century. It was sung at the re 
 cent coronation of George V in Westminster Abbey and is always sung 
 at the coronation of kings, consecration and ordination of bishops and 
 priests, association of synods and other ecclessiastical assemblies. 
 
 Creator spirit, come, impart, 
 
 Celestial grace within our heart. 
 
 Fountain of life, of light, of love, 
 
 The gift of God most high, 
 
 Anointing spirit from above, 
 
 To Thee our voices cry. 
 
 Arm of Omnipotence Divine, 
 
 A perfect power of grace is Thine, 
 
 Come spirit sent from heaven, 
 
 Boon of our Father given, 
 
 Unto us now Thy word impart, 
 
 Touch with Thy light 
 
 Our inner sight, 
 
 Thy love pour in our heart, 
 
 Fall on us in reviving dew, 
 
 Comfort our souls, our strength renew. 
 
 30 
 
VENI SANCTE SPIRITUS 
 
 The Latin version of this hymn is by some attributed to Robert II., 
 King of France, and by others to Hermann, the cripple, both belonging 
 to the eleventh century. It is classed among the foremost of Latin 
 hymns: 
 
 Spirit from the heavenly height, 
 Bring to us the life, the light, 
 Fill us with a holy fire, 
 Purge our hearts from earth s desire 
 Till to heaven they aspire. 
 
 Shaded from the world s heat, 
 In our Lord s refreshment sweet, 
 Be our cup of joy complete. 
 
 Spirit be our bosom guest 
 To the weary heart give rest. 
 
 31 
 
MATIN 
 
 Bright morning breaks, herald of coming day, 
 Darkness is thinning, shadows flee away, 
 Mid morning dews we turn a suppliant eye, 
 To Him whose glory gilds the morning sky. 
 
 O Thou, whose sunbeams make the heavens bright, 
 Thou, who art Thyself the light of light, 
 Dawn on our souls in day that hath no night. 
 
 Dawn, and with still increasing glory rise, 
 To fill our hearts, as daylight fills the skies ; 
 fill them till from earthly shadows free, 
 They are transformed in glory like to Thee. 
 
 VESPER 
 
 Daylight is fading, falling eventide, 
 The day is spent, my Lord, with me abide ; 
 While darkness turns the traveler to his home 
 My heart returns to Thee, no more to roam. 
 
 life s abiding rock, I hide in thee; 
 
 Mid changing time my changeless refuge be, 
 
 Hush earthly care and set my spirit free. 
 
 While evening casts its shadows be my guest, 
 Almighty love the pillow of my rest, 
 Staff of my soul, let love make fear to cease, 
 Abide with me, my Lord, my life, my peace. 
 
 32 
 
Tn.j.0 ^ STAMPED D-& 1 -"*- 
 
i Photomount 
 Pamphlet 
 Binder 
 
 Gaylord Bros., Inc. 
 
 Makers 
 
 Stockton, Calif. 
 PAT. JAN. 21, 1908 
 
 U.C.BERKELEY LIBRARIES 
 
 930849 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY