Historical Writings

The Council of Chalcedon (located in modern Turkey) adjourned. Begun on Oct 8th, its 17 sessions were attended by over 500 bishops -- more than participated in any other ancient Church council.

Italian Renaissance artist Michelangelo, 37, unveiled his 5,808-square-foot masterpiece, the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. He had been commissioned in 1508 by Pope Julius II to do a work depicting the whole story of the Bible.

German reformer Martin Luther stated during one of his "Table Talks": 'There are many fluent preachers who speak at length but say nothing, who have words without substance.'

John Gill, who will become a leading Baptist pastor in England, makes his confession of faith and is baptized.

Death at Islington, England, of Alexander Cruden, Scottish editor and compiler of Cruden's Concordance, who originally prepared to study for the ministry but after suffering several mental breakdowns was confined to an asylum for brief stays three times over several years.

Baptism of Edward Mote at eighteen years of age, who will write the hymn "My Hope is Built on Nothing Less."

Anne Ayres takes religious vows that will lead her to found the first religious order for women in the Episcopal Church in the United States.

Liu Cho Wan is ordained as a Catholic priest. Skilled with languages and with the wisdom to settle disputes, he will be highly regarded wherever he labors.

Death of Sophie Lichtenfels, a German immigrant and scrubwoman (cleaning lady) in New York City. Told she was too old to become a foreign missionary, she had become a missionary to foreign immigrants in New York City and a well-known speaker. She was associated with A.B. Simpson's Christian and Missionary Alliance to which she gave all that she could afford from her small wages. Many prominent rescue workers from New York and Philadelphia will turn out for her funeral.

Russian evangelists Ivan Prokhanov and Peter Deyneka meet in New York. The two will work closely to win East Europeans for Christ.

Pope Pius XII proclaimed the dogma of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. His Apostolic Constitution "Munificentissimus Deus" taught that, at the end of her earthly life, Jesus' mother was taken, body and soul, into heaven to be united with the risen Christ.

Death of Mordecai Ham, the evangelist under whose ministry Billy Graham was saved.

English linguistic scholar J.R.R. Tolkien wrote in a letter: 'In the last resort, faith is an act of will, inspired by love.'