Historical Writings

Gregory XI issues an interdict against the city of Florence, which had joined a league to abolish the pope's secular power. This interdict gives anyone the right to plunder the city and to make slaves of its people wherever they might be found.

Queen Isabella, having compelled Muslims to convert to Christianity or leave Spain, now signs a similar decree relating to her Jewish subjects, ordering them to convert to Christianity or face expulsion. It will not actually be issued for another month and will allow three months for compliance.

Needing money to rebuild St. Peter's basilica, Pope Leo X announces a sale of indulgences to run for eight years beginning this day. Albert of Brandenberg, deeply in debt after purchasing his position as archbishop, is allowed to keep half the proceeds, but will not profit as greatly as he hopes because the indulgence will anger the friar Martin Luther, who will post his Ninety-Five Theses in response. The Reformation will result.

Death of metaphysical poet John Donne, Dean of St. Paul's. Among his most famous poems, one began with the words "Death be not proud."

Isaac Backus is called to be pastor to Bridgewater, Massachusetts. He will become a notable Baptist evangelist and an advocate of religious freedom.

On Easter Sunday, Fra Junipero Serra founds San Buenaventura, the ninth Spanish mission in California.

English founder of Methodism John Wesley wrote in a letter: 'When the witness and the fruit of the Spirit meet together, there can be no stronger proof that we are of God.... Were you to substitute...reason for the witness of the Spirit, you would never be established.'

Missionary and physician Johannes Van Der Kemp reaches South Africa. He will study the Xhosa and Khoikhoi languages and outrage European opinion by marrying a young African woman.

Death of Francis Asbury, 70, pioneer Methodist bishop. Sent to America in 1771 by John Wesley, he saw the new denomination grow from under 500 members to over 200,000 by the time of his death.

Death of Anglican bishop Henry Ryder, the first of the 19th-century evangelicals to become a bishop of the Church of England.

Death of Russian Orthodox archbishop John Veniaminov (St. Innocent of Alaska), a missionary evangelist to Alaska and archbishop of the far western territories of Russia. He had also served as Metropolitan of Moscow.

Death in Verona, Italy, of John Stainer, composer of much church music, including the cantata The Crucifixion.

Mother Maria" Skobtsova is executed at the gas chamber in Ravensbrück. An unconventional nun of the Orthodox Church, she had been famous for helping "down and out" people, including Jews persecuted by Nazi conquerors in France. She will be declared a saint in 2004.

American missionary and martyr Jim Elliot wrote in his journal: 'How the Savior suffered in the sinner's place! What tormented him in time menaces the sinner for eternity.'

English apologist C. S. Lewis wrote in "Letters to an American Lady": 'What most often interrupts my own prayers is not great distractions but tiny ones things one will have to do or avoid in the course of the next hour.'

American Presbyterian apologist Francis Schaeffer wrote in a letter: 'You must not lose confidence in God because you lost confidence in your pastor. If our confidence in God had to depend upon our confidence in any human person, we would be on shifting sand.'

Death of Tanzanian evangelist Yohana Zebedayo who worked with the Africa Inland Church, preaching Christ-centered sermons.