Historical Writings

Death of Amandus, the founder of Belgian monasticism. During his 95 years, he established eight abbeys, five in the Southern Netherlands.

(Probable date) Death of Photius, Patriarch of Constantinople, one of the most learned scholars of his day. He had been an enemy of Rome and excommnunicated Pope Nicholas I and his associates, one of the events that will lead to the schism between the eastern and western branches of the church.

First auto-da-fé in Spain, a ritual of public penance of condemned heretics and apostates. Such events would often be accompanied by the execution of the "heretics."

Death on the European continent of Jean de Ockeghem, a composer of Christian music, including a well-known requiem and many motets.

John Calvin preaches his last sermon. His mouth fills with blood and he has to leave the pulpit. He had been carried to church in a chair. Three months later he will die.

On a bitterly cold day, Adoniram Judson, Gordon Hall, Luther Rice, Samuel Newell, and Samuel Nott are ordained for foreign service at Salem, Massachusetts, the first foreign missionaries of the United States.

Scottish clergyman Robert Murray McCheyne wrote in a letter: 'Even in the wildest storms the sky is not all dark; and so in the darkest dealings of God with His children, there are always some bright tokens for good.'

Presbyterian minister Edward Norris Kirk arrives in Paris to establish its American Church. He was well-known in the United States as a preacher, revivalist, and author. Among those converted under his ministry was Dwight L. Moody.

Death in Bristol, England, of Mary Groves Müller, the faith-filled and godly wife of George Müller.

Admission of Daniel Olubi as a priest in Nigeria's Anglican Church. He had already shown himself an effective worker in the Anglican mission and will become even more influential as the years pass, establishing the gospel among his people.

Death in Washington, DC, of Harriet Eugenia Peck Buell, author of the hymn "A Child of the King."

Station KFSG (Kall Four Square Gospel) went on the air. One of the earliest radio stations licensed, it broadcast the services of Angelus Temple, the flagship congregation of the International Foursquare Gospel Church, founded by Aimee Semple Mc Pherson in 1923.

Pioneer American linguist and missionary Frank Laubach wrote in a letter: 'There is a deep peace that grows out of illness and loneliness and a sense of failure. God cannot get close when everything is delightful. He seems to need these darker hours, these empty-hearted hours, to mean the most to people.'

American missionary and martyr Jim Elliot wrote in his journal: 'Christianity, disruptive in nature, has nonetheless integrating powers for the individual in the culture, though both he and it may expect revolution.'