Historical Writings

The Fourth Council of Constantinople opens. In six sessions, it will condemn iconoclasm and anathematize Constantinople's Patriarch Photius who held the ancient canons above the pope.

The Fourth Council of Constantinople opens. In six sessions, it will condemn iconoclasm and anathematize Constantinople's Patriarch Photius who held the ancient canons above the pope.

The Gregorian calendar is introduced into Italy and other Catholic countries to replace the Julian calendar, which had lost ten days against the solar calendar. This day becomes October 15.

Solomon Stoddard preaches a famed sermon on the Lord's Supper, saying people should be allowed to partake even if not sure of their salvation.

Following his ordination, David Brainerd, 26, began three years of intense missionary labors among the Indians along the Susquehannah River in New Jersey. Increasing illness from the elements led to Brainerd's premature death, after only three years.

Writing from Guayaquil, Ecuador, James “Diego” Thomson, agent of the British and Foreign Bible Society and of the British and Foreign School Society says, “I firmly believe that the deliverance of this country from bondage and oppression, and the mental emancipation of its inhabitants, depend upon the success of this revolution [independence from Spain]. The Spaniards, as is well known, have greatly impeded, not to say prohibited, the progress of knowledge and of true religion in America.”

Birth of William G. Tomer, American Civil War veteran and Methodist hymnwriter. It is to his tune, FAREWELL, that today we sing the hymn, "God Be With You Till We Meet Again."

Christians take control of the government in Uganda, thanks in large part to the courage of an Anglican believer, Hamu Lujonza Kaddu Mukasa, who had won a decisive victory during the religious wars. Mukasa will become an important chief and advisor to King Mwangi, and will help to give the Anglican Church prominence in his nation.

Death of Harry Emerson Fosdick, 91. He pastored Riverside Church in New York City 1926-46, and authored the enduring hymn, "God of Grace and God of Glory."

Five hundred evangelical pastors in Nicaragua who are associated with the Protestant charitable group CEPAD (Evangelical Committee for Aid and Development), sign a statement saying they support the Sandinista Communist revolution’s aims relative to their first loyalty to Christ.

Ten months after being indicted by a federal grand jury, televangelist Jim Bakker, 50, was found guilty on 24 counts of mail and wire fraud. Three weeks later, on October 24th, Bakker was fined $500,000 and sentenced to 45 years in prison.