This week in Christian history: Polish Protestants to America, John Henry Newman, 3rd Great Awakening

John Henry Newman gives final sermon before conversion - September 25, 1845

A portrait of John Henry Newman (1801-1890), influential churchman who led the Oxford Movement in the Church of England and later became a cardinal-deacon in the Roman Catholic Church.
A portrait of John Henry Newman (1801-1890), influential churchman who led the Oxford Movement in the Church of England and later became a cardinal-deacon in the Roman Catholic Church. | Public Domain

This week marks the anniversary of when notable Cardinal John Henry Newman preached his final sermon as an Anglican minister, in a message aptly titled “The Parting of Friends.”

Newman preached the sermon at St. Mary and St. Nicholas, a church in Littlemore, Oxford that he had helped to found. He was officially received into the Catholic Church the following month.

“Scripture is a refuge in any trouble; only let us be on our guard against seeming to use it further than is fitting, or doing more than sheltering ourselves under its shadow,” declared Newman in the sermon.

“Let us use it according to our measure. It is far higher and wider than our need; and its language veils our feelings while it gives expression to them. It is sacred and heavenly; and it restrains and purifies, while it sanctions them.”

Follow Michael Gryboski on Twitter or Facebook

Was this article helpful?

Become a CP Insider.
Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone.

The truth has a cost, and Insiders help carry it.
A dollar from an Insider comes with no strings attached. It keeps our reporters on the story, keeps our journalism open to everyone, and keeps every editorial decision in the newsroom, where it belongs.

Become a CP Insider and choose the amount you want to pay. You can change, pause or cancel anytime. As a thank-you, you’ll get:

  • The Insider Newsletter, a members-only monthly letter from our newsroom

  • Ad-free reading across christianpost.com


From as low as $8.25/month
Prefer to give once?

We’re sorry to hear that.

Hope you’ll give us another try and check out some other articles.
Return to homepage.

Most Popular

More Articles