The online Bible teaching ministry of John Brand

Church History

James (Diego) Thomson, the Bible Man of South America (1788-1854)

Of his latest article about Scottish missionaries, Paul James-Griffiths of Christian Heritage Edinburgh writes, “This week we read all about a very energetic Scottish missionary called James Thomson, whom the locals in South America called Diego. I don’t know how he had time to eat or sleep! Everywhere he went Christian schools sprouted up, the Bible was translated…

This Day in HIS-story: March 17

  1780 HT: Christianity.com When the church becomes a state-supported official religion, churchmen tend to become tepid officeholders. The zeal characteristic of the Scottish clergy in John Knox’s day had become diluted by the early 19th century. Hard as it is to believe, the moderate majority of Scotland’s preachers resisted Sunday schools, saying they would put…

This Day in HIS-story: March 16

  1889 HT: Diane Severance Grey dawn was streaking the sky, when they who had so lovingly watched Him to His burying were making their way to the rock-hewn tomb in the garden. Considerable as are the difficulties of exactly harmonizing the details in the various narratives–if, indeed, importance attaches to such attempts–we are thankful…

This Day in HIS-story: March 14

1812 HT: Christian History Institute Anne Hasseltine and Adoniram Judson were married on February 5, 1812. The next day, when Judson was ordained to do foreign mission work, Anne (whom he called “Nancy”) was beside him. Within a few days they boarded the sailing ship Caravan to sail to India. Judson’s eventual success in Burma (now known as…

Dr Robert Kalley, “The Wolf from Scotland” (Part 2)

Of his latest article about Scottish missionaries, Paul James-Griffiths of Christian Heritage Edinburgh writes, “This week I’ve continued with the amazing story of Dr Robert Kalley, who fled persecution in Madeira, and ended up pioneering the first Protestant church in Brazil. I hope it inspires you all.” After the persecution in Madeira, Dr Robert Kalley travelled to Palestine, as…

This Day in HIS-story: March 9

320 HT: Dan Graves Governor Agricola of Armenia was confronted with “mutiny.” Forty soldiers refused to offer the sacrifice ordered by emperor Licinius. The forty who stood before him that wintry fourth-century day in Sevaste were fine specimens of manhood who radiated an aura of courage. He was determined to make them see reason. But…