Historical Writings

Death of Constantine, the first Roman emperor to consider himself a Christian. He had issued an edict officially tolerating Christianity and summoned the Council of Nicea to settle the Arian dispute over the nature of Christ.

Liberius, widely regarded as a heretic, is ordained Bishop of Rome (i.e.: pope).

Semi-Arians meet hoping to produce a creed to supercede the Nicene creed. Their product is called the "Dated" creed.

Pope Gregory XI issues a bull against John Wycliffe.

The first Augustinians arrive in Mexico.

In Germany, the Ratisbon (Regensburg) Conference ended, its mission to reunify the Catholic Church having failed. From this time on, the Protestant movement became permanent.

Death of Johann Schutz, a lawyer in high standing on Frankfort's town council. A friend of Philip Spener, Schutz had cheered him on as he spearheaded the Lutheran renewal movement that became known as Pietism. Schutz authored the hymn "Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above."

English revivalist George Whitefield wrote in a letter: 'We must all have the spirit of martyrdom, though we may not all die martyrs.'

Pioneering Presbyterian minister Rev. Joseph Bullen meets with Chickasaw leader Levi Colbert in Mississippi, using another Chickasaw, Joseph Colbert, as interpreter to propose a mission to the Chickasaw Indians—a proposal that is well received.

Birth of William R. Newell, American clergyman and devotional writer. He published expository works on the Bible, and is remembered today as author of the hymn, "At Calvary" (a.k.a. "Years I Spent in Vanity and Pride").

Death in Athens of Dr. Jonas King, missionary to Greece. He had been an outstanding linguist.

The Gospel Mission of South America was founded by William M. Strong in Concepcion, Chile. An interdenominational Protestant missions agency, its headquarters moved to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in 1975.

The General Assembly of the Southern Presbyterian Church (PCUS) adopted the Confession of 1967. It was the first major declaration of faith adopted by this branch of Protestantism since the Westminster Confession of 1647.

Pope John Paul II reaffirms that priestly ordination is for men only.