The Liturgical Calendar: The Church Remembers

Today the church remembers Frederick Denison Maurice, Priest, 1872.

In 1848 virtually all of Europe was aflame with revolution. Governments were violently overthrown in France, Germany, and Austria. The Establishment in England shuddered and reacted rather fearfully. At least one Christian theologian, F. D. Maurice, responded positively and set to work to apply Christian principles in the acute area of social reform.

Maurice, along with John Ludlow and Charles Kingsley, organized the Christian Socialists. They publicized the use of Christian attitudes in solving social problems. They helped organize trade unions and promoted reform legislation. Their ideas and actions were unpopular with certain persons of the Establishment, and Maurice was forced to resign his post in theology at London"s King"s College.

Undeterred, Maurice founded Working Men"s College in London and pioneered in the field of education for working class people. He wrote and published many volumes, the most famous of which was entitled The Kingdom of Christ.

Maurice laid the groundwork for much modern English theology. He forged contacts between the church and the reforming movements in the state and thereby helped prevent in England the antagonism which typified church-state relations in some countries as these reforming groups began to take the reins of government.

When we desire retreat into our churches, O God, lead us outward to meet the world"s needs. Amen.

Read the Wikipedia article here.

Almighty God, you restored our human nature to heavenly glory through the perfect obedience of our Savior Jesus Christ: Keep alive in your Church, we pray, a passion for justice and truth; that, like your servant Frederick Denison Maurice, we may work and pray for the triumph of the kingdom of your Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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