Historical Writings

Because of clashes between Christian factions, Roman Emperor Marcian issues a law against brawling in churches and against holding meetings in private houses or in the streets.

The armies of the Third Crusade (1189-92), led by England's King Richard ('TheLionhearted'), captured the Syrian seaport of Acre.

As a step in his quest to be crowned Holy Roman Emperor, Frederick II, king of Germany and of Sicily signs the Golden Bull of Eger, renouncing secular authority over the German clergy. This will sometimes be known as the Magna Carta of Hungary.

Death of Jean Charlier Gerson. An educator and bishop, he had been considered a reformer although he joined in condemning Jan Hus at Constance.

Thirteen year old Lady Jane Grey writes a letter to Henry Bullinger asking his advice for her studies.

Death of Arsenius of Novgorod, where he had founded a monastery. He rebuked Ivan the Terrible to his face for destroying the city.

As David Brainerd is walking through a dark grove to his secret place of prayer, God speaks to him and he has a glorious salvation experience. The twenty-one-year-old will live only eight more years but inspire many others through his diary.

Frederick W. Robertson is ordained in the Anglican Church by the Bishop of Winchester. He will bring evangelical passion to his pulpit and be known for his psychological approach to biblical characters, seeking to understand their motivations.

Mormon church founder Joseph Smith announced that a divine revelation had beengiven him sanctioning polygamy among his newly-organized religious followers.

Three thousand miners meet for a revival meeting on Frongoch Hill near Aberystwyth, Wales. It is so hot they pray for relief and God sends a mist. This prayer meeting will become an annual event.

Birth of Peter Deyneka, missions pioneer. The Slavic Gospel Association, whichhe founded in 1934, undertakes evangelistic work in Europe and South America.

Death of Nathan Söderblom, a Swedish Lutheran clergyman, noted for his ecumenism and the formation of groups that will lead to the formation of the World Council of Churches.

Death in Plattsburg, New York, from acute appendicitis, of S. Parkes Cadman, a well-known Christian speaker, radio personality, former president of the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America, and pastor of the Central Congregational Church of Brooklyn.

Following a night of prayer, Bakht Singh and his coworkers are prompted to found indigenous churches with the four-fold task of showing Christ's fulness, unity, wisdom, and glory. The first church, called Jehovah Shammah, is established in Madras on this day. The Lord soon multiplies more churches across India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia, and elsewhere.

Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary was chartered in Mill Valley, CA, undersponsorship of the Southern Baptist Church.

Swiss Reformed theologian Karl Barth wrote in a letter: 'Do not stop testing andcorrecting your insights by holy scripture. Then, being sound in what really counts, youcan live and represent a comforted life.'