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Historical Writings
Today in Christian History
Thursday, July 20
833
Death at Fontanella of Ansegis, a monk whom Charlemagne had placed in charge of some of his building operations and who had also compiled a notable collection of Frankish laws. Authority for the date: The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge.
1591
Anne Hutchinson is baptized at Alford, England. She will become a controversial religious figure in New England. Authority for the date: Williams, Selma R. Divine Rebel: The Life of Anne Marbury Hutchinson. Henry Holt & Co, 1981.
1648
The Westminster Larger Catechism was adopted by the General Assembly of the Churchof Scotland at Edinburgh. This and the Shorter Catechism have both been in regular use amongPresbyterians, Baptists and Congregationalists ever since.
1726
Colonial clergyman Jonathan Edwards, 23, married Sarah Pierpont, 16. Theirmarriage prospered for over 30 years, before his premature death in 1758. Sarah herself diedonly six months later, at 48.
1727
Marriage of pastor/theologian Jonathan Edwards and Sarah Pierpont. They will create a godly, cheerful, and peacable home, much remarked upon by contemporaries, and ten of their eleven children will live to adulthood. Authority for the date: Petersen, Wm J. Martin Luther Had a Wife/Harriet Beecher Stowe Had a Husband.
1865
James Harvey Garrison is mustered out of Company G of the 8th Missouri Cavalry and, after attending Abingdon College, will become a publisher, pastor, missionary, and editor with the Disciples of Christ for five decades. Authority for the date: http://ozarkscivilwar.org/photographs/garrison-james-h/
1877
Birth of Jesse Overholtzer, who in 1937 incorporated Child Evangelism Fellowshipin Chicago. Today the CEF mission agency works in over 60 countries worldwide.
1903
Death of Pope Leo XIII. A poet, scholar, and peacemaker, he had defended the divine nature of Christ in all its phases, from Virgin Birth through Resurrection and Ascension. He had also issued encyclicals against socialism and in behalf of Thomism, the philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas. His relations with Catholics in the United States had been close. Authority for the date: Brusher, Joseph. Popes Through the Ages, Third Edition. Neff-Kane, 1980.
1910
The Christian Endeavor Society of Missouri began a campaign to ban all motionpictures that depicted kissing between non-relatives.
1962
Pope John XXIII sent invitations to all 'separated Christian churches andcommunities,' asking each to send delegate-observers to the upcoming Vatican II EcumenicalCouncil in Rome.
1969
Buzz Aldrin, a Presbyterian elder, takes communion on the moon during the Apollo 11 landing. Authority for the date: Aldrin, Buzz. Magnificent Desolation.
2002
Death of Pastor Noble Alexander. He had been the longest held prisoner for Christ in the history of the Island of Cuba, yet his spirit always demonstrated his joyful freedom in Christ. Upon his release he had gone to the United States. Authority for the date: Anbalagan, Job. gloryofhiscross@yahoo.co.in
2016
A Russian law goes into effect denying Protestants the right to share their faith in person or on the internet and banning church services in homes. In the first month of its enforcement, seven evangelical Christians will be charged with violations. Authority for the date: Israel My Glory Jan/Feb 2017.
Copyright Statement
© 1987-2020, William D. Blake. Portions used by permission of the author, from "Almanac of the Christian Church"
© 1987-2020, William D. Blake. Portions used by permission of the author, from "Almanac of the Christian Church"
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