Historical Writings

Death of Pope St Celestine I, who had defended the orthodox faith against several heresies and had also supported St. Augustine of Hippo. He may have sent St. Patrick to evangelize Ireland.

Death of Pope Urban II, who had preached the first crusade.

An Act for Promoting and Propagating the Gospel in New England is ordered by English House of Commons, inspired by the work of John Eliot among the American Indians.

Eight Quakers from England arrive at Boston on the Speedwell and are immediately imprisoned by Puritan authorities. The Puritans look upon Quakerism with suspicion, regarding it as theologically apostate and politically subversive.

Scottish Covenanter preacher Donald Cargill is hanged for his faith in Edinburgh.

Birth of Fran‡ois H. Barth‚l‚mon, French Swedenborgian composer. Two of his manyworks later became hymn tunes: AUTUMN (Hail, Thou Once Despised Jesus) and BALERMA (Oh, fora Closer Walk with God).

Death of John Sergeant, missionary to New England's Indians. Among his memorable actions had been enlisting David Brainerd as a fellow-missionary to the Indians.

Death of philanthropist Isabella Graham in New York City. She had trained poor women to learn life skills and habits of thrift, and authored a best-seller, The Power of Faith. Her charities had been inspired by her Christian faith.

Birth of Cyrus H. Nusbaum, an American Methodist clergyman who penned the hymn,'Would You Live for Jesus, and Be Always Pure and Good?' (aka 'His Way With Thee').

Death of B.F. Westcott, 76, English N.T. scholar. In 1881, he and colleague F.J.A.Hort published the most precise critical text of the Greek New Testament ever compiled --still in use today.

Death of Caroline (Lina) V. Sandell Berg, 71. Known as the 'Fanny Crosby ofSweden,' her most beloved hymns (in their English translation) include 'Day by Day' and'Children of the Heavenly Father.'

In Oxford, PA, the first Victorious Life Conference closed. Founder Robert C.McQuilkin, inspired by England's Keswick Movement, emphasized in these meetings anattainment of spiritual freedom from the power of every known sin.

Felix Manalo incorporates Iglesia ni Cristo in the Philippines. It is influenced by Seventh-day Adventist teachings.

William Sangster is ordained in Wesley Chapel. He will become one of the most influential leaders of the British Methodists during the twentieth century and will constantly appeal to Methodists to return to their roots and seek deeper faith. He also will resist anti-Semitism.

Death of Ding Shujing, the first woman to lead China's branch of the Young Women's Christian Association.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer's parents learn of his execution by Nazis at Buchenwald concentration camp through a broadcast emanating from London.