Historical Writings

The northern provinces of the Netherlands declare their independence of Spain at the Act of Abjuration signed at the Hague. The step came because Spain had oppressed these small states with religious persecution.

James VI of Scotland was crowned King James I of England. He then 'authorized'an English translation of the Scriptures, first published in 1611 and known since as the'King James Version' of the Bible.

Japanese Christians John Mat Suzuki and Paul Tsukamoto are decapitated for their faith.

English revivalist George Whitefield wrote in a letter: 'Venture daily uponChrist, go out in His strength, and He will enable you to do wonders.'

Hieromonk Gedeon begins a short preaching tour among the Kadiak of Alaska which leads many to become Orthodox Christians.

Phoebe Palmer, an American Methodist, receives sanctifying grace and will go on to challenge many others to holy living, including African-American evangelist Amanda Smith.

Death in Shelburne, Massachusetts, of Fidelia Fiske, missionary to the Nestorians of Persia. Her work in the countryside and among mountain tribes had won respect and contributed to the slow improvement of the lot of Persian women.

In England, the Disestablishment Bill was passed, officially dissolving the Churchof Ireland. (Organized opposition to this legislation coined one of longest words in theEnglish language: antidisestablishmentarianism.)

Peruvian officials arrest Methodist missionary Francisco Penzotti while he is having breakfast. He is escorted to prison at bayonet point for converting Catholics to Protestantism. His incarceration creates an international outcry, with his Italian homeland, the United States, and the United Kingdom all calling for his release. Incarcerated three years, Penzotti will win many prisoners to Christ. Because of the international protest at its lack of religious freedom, Peru relaxes its intolerance.

Death of William Reed Huntington, a parish priest in the Episcopal Church. He had been a strong advocate of Christian reunification, authoring The Church Idea (1870) in which he set forth principles later adopted by Anglicans worldwide for discussing union with other churches.

The sanctuary of Our Lady of Victory, in Lackawanna, NY, became the first RomanCatholic church in the U.S. to be consecrated a basilica.

The Open Bible Standard Churches was formed when two smaller revival movementswith similar objectives merged. OBSCI is headquartered today in Des Moines.

Death of Peter Dyneka, evangelist to eastern Europeans. Born in Russia, he was converted in a Billy Sunday service after coming to the US. For his energetic spread of the gospel he had become known as Peter Dynamite.