Historical Writings

(or 78) Martyrdom of Apollinaris, bishop of Ravenna, said to have been a disciple of St. Peter.

John V is consecrated as Pope. An easterner, he is consecrated without the usual direct approval of the Byzantine Emperor.

Fontevrault Abbey, France, receives a papal bull of privileges, permitting its women a good deal of autonomy without supervision by men.

Death in Rome of Bridget of Sweden, a Scandinavian mystic and founder of the Briggitine Order. She had written several books of revelations.

Death in London of John Day, the foremost English printer of the Elizabethan era. He had introduced Roman type to replace Gothic fonts. Because he had printed devotional books for the Reformation, and continued to print Protestant books after the accession of Mary Tudor, he was imprisoned and then exiled. When Protestants regained power under Elizabeth, he returned and printed John Foxe's Actes and Monuments (Book of Martyrs).

The Camisards, French Protestants of Languedoc, break into open revolt when they hear a rumor that a priest at Pont de Montvert intends to execute some of his Camisard prisoners, whom he has held and tortured. They burn his house, kill him, and liberate the prisoners. This begins a savage war that leads to their extermination.

Pioneer American Methodist bishop Francis Asbury wrote in his journal: 'I findit of more consequence to a preacher to know his Bible well, than all the languages or booksin the world -- for he is not to preach these, but the Word of God.'

Birth of William R. Featherstone, Canadian Methodist hymnwriter. He penned thewords to 'My Jesus, I Love Thee' before age 16.

Birth of William W. McConnell, missions pioneer. In 1891, he became the firstmissionary sent out by the Central American Mission, after its founding in 1890.

Death of Joseph H. Gilmore, 84, American Baptist clergyman. He is remembered todayprimarily for the hymn, 'He Leadeth Me,' which he wrote at the age of 28.

Nigerian church planter Joseph Adeyemo Taiwo is honored with the title of chieftan. Through his zealous efforts, he enlarged the Baptist presence in Nigeria.

The First National Southern Baptist Charismatic Conference closed. Baptist pastorand charismatic leader Howard Conatser (1926-78) was a speaker at this convention.

Death of Demos Shakarian in Costa Mesa, California. Of Armenian origin, he had founded the Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International.