“The Roman Catholic supremacy was broken by the sixteenth-century Reformation.  The Augsburg Confession of Faith, prepared by Melanchthon and Luther, was formed in A.D. 1530.  This was the first Protestant creed.

“Then followed the great day of Protestantism when creeds and denominations sprang up in every direction and upon many pretenses.  God’s sheep were scattered and divided, as it was foretold in Ezek. 34:11-25.  The true church of Jesus Christ was lost sight of.  It was spoken of as the invisible church, while the denominations were the visible churches.  Men joined churches because they thought that it was the right thing to do.

“About the year 1880, or 350 years after the Augsburg Confession, A.D. 1530, a deep conviction seized a number of earnest, sanctified people that the denominational system was wrong, utterly unscriptural.  They began to preach a pure Bible church of which salvation alone makes men members.”

“When these prophets began to teach the unity of God’s people thousands saw the wrong of remaining in the denominations; so they came out.  In fact, Brother Davis, God’s sheep would naturally stay together if they were not induced to separate.  The denominations have good Christians in them, but there are many members who do not have an experimental knowledge of grace and these have led many churches into worldliness and formality.”

“I see it,” said Robert.  “The church was hidden down through the Catholic and Protestant ages and is just now again coming out and standing aloof and clear for God and her blessed founder, Jesus Christ.  Oh, praise God! it is all so plain now.  Thank God.”

On the third night of the meeting a mob formed to frighten the minister out of town and to destroy the meeting.  Old Peter Newby helped organize it.  The ammunition consisted of a vast assortment of ancient eggs, also stones, brickbats, and a few clubs and sticks.  The mob stormed the house about the time of the close of a powerful sermon on A Better Testament.  Windows crashed, portions of egg bespattered many, several persons were struck by missiles, and a great hubbub was created.  The evangelist was the quietest person in the house, though his clothing bore mute evidence that the egg-brigade had singled him out as their target.

The mob did not come into the house; so after a few temporary adjustments an altar call was given and seven came to the altar, among whom were old Mr. Stephenson and Charley Moss.

On the next day rumors flew thick and fast.  The wildest stories were told.  Some heard that the evangelist was killed, and great excitement stirred the whole community.  That night some were too much afraid to go, others went out of sheer curiosity, while one partisan of the evangelist formed a band of men in favor of him, and they sent word both to the evangelist and to the mob leader that they would be on hand that night to protect the preacher.  Needless to say everything was perfectly quiet and the meeting closed without further disturbance.