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…
1557 HT: Christian History Institute When Cicely Ormes of St. Lawrence, Norwich, England, was twenty-one years old, she recanted her Protestant beliefs under pressure from a Catholic magistrate. Miserable at her apostasy, she then wrote a letter repudiating her recantation. Arrested a year later, the magistrate said she might go free if she would promise…
1871 HT: Dan Graves The Swiss evangelist and hymn writer Cesar Malan always liked to speak a word for Jesus. One day, while visiting England, he spoke to a young women at his table, saying that he hoped she was a Christian. Charlotte Elliott bristled. She would rather not discuss that question, she said. Malan…
1816 HT: Christian History Institute David Nasmith is famous as the founder of the first Protestant city missions. Here is the first extant letter in which he indicated his desire to be of use for God’s kingdom. It was written on this day 21 September 1816 when he was seventeen years old. “May He who has the hearts…