1894 Rainisoalambo, a diviner on Madagascar, throws away all his amulets and apparatus of divination. The night before, wretched with ulcers, he had called out to the God of Norwegian missionaries and sensed he must get rid of his sorcerous props. Doing so today, he immediately feels a weight lift off him. He knows that…
1605 HT: Dan Graves IN 1548, Theodore Beza became seriously ill. Not yet thirty years old, he stared death in the face. Looking upon his recent conduct, he was ashamed. First was the matter of his faith. At heart he was Protestant but, because he got his income from two benefices of the Catholic…
1876 HT: Dan Graves Harry Ironside was laid aside for dead when he was born on this day, October 14, 1876 in Toronto, Canada. His mother was in a bad state and needed of all the attention she could get if she were to pull through. But God had big plans for the “dead” baby. A nurse…
1747 HT: Stagger and Reel On October 9, 1747, the world lost one of its most fervent and self-sacrificing missionaries, David Brainerd, whose short yet impactful life continues to inspire generations of believers and missionaries. Born in Haddam, Connecticut, on April 20, 1718, Brainerd’s life was marked by deep spiritual struggle, severe physical afflictions, and…
451 HT: Christianity.com When Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” he received a multitude of answers. Some said he was John the Baptist, some said he was Elijah or Jeremiah or another one of the prophets. The disciple Peter came up with the correct answer when he said, “You are…
1873 HT: Dan Graves LOTTIE MOON sailed for China in 1873, on the steamer Costa Rica, to undertake mission work. She suffered seasickness most of the trip. The ship berthed in Japan twenty-five days later. On the next leg of the journey to Shanghai, it encountered a hurricane that ripped up decking, tore off the rudder, and…
1535 HT: Dan Graves The Bible translation that William Tyndale had begun when he was arrested in May, 1535 only included the New Testament, the Pentateuch and a few historical books of the Old Testament. England was still without a complete Bible in the English language. Who would finish the work? Using Tyndale’s work as…
1770 The funeral of George Whitefield is held at the Old South First Presbyterian Church in Newburyport. Thousands of people are unable to get even to the door of the church. 1792 HT: Christianity.com The gathering of young men who met in Mrs. Beeby Wallis’ parlor on this day, October 2, 1792 was not a likely group…
1770 HT: Stagger and Reel On this day, September 30, 1770, the world lost one of the greatest evangelists and preachers of the Gospel, George Whitefield. His fervent proclamation of the Good News shook two continents, crossing the Atlantic 13 times and delivering over 18,000 sermons. Whitefield once said, “I had rather wear out…
1904 HT: Dan Graves EVAN ROBERT’S PUBLIC MINISTRY lasted only about a year. But what a fruitful year it was! Roberts was many years in preparation for his work. Born in Wales in 1878, he proved a good student and avid reader. However, when his father was injured in an accident and in need of…