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…
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…
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…
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…
1812 HT: Dan Graves At about six in the evening on this day, 11 March 1812, fire broke out in a print shop at Serampore, India. The mission staff there were able to rescue a few deeds and financial records, but could salvage little more. Around midnight, the roof caved in, sending a pillar of fire high…
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…
Of his latest article about Scottish missionaries, Paul James-Griffiths of Christian Heritage Edinburgh writes, “This week we travel from Africa and Asia to Portugal, and to Dr Robert Kalley. This amazing Scottish medical missionary had a significant impact in Portugal, until he was driven out, and then in Brazil.“ Dr Robert Reid Kalley (1809-1888) http://www.robertreidkalley.xpg.com.br/, Public domain, via…
1780 HT: Christian History Institute In spite of stiff opposition from his congregation at Trinity Church, Cambridge, Charles Simeon preached an evangelical gospel. His zeal caused unsympathetic trustees to lock him out of his own church building a few times but also produced a crop of evangelical graduates at nearby Cambridge University, men who became notable churchmen,…
1823 HT: Dan Graves On this day, March 7, 1823, missionary William Carey picked up his pen with a heavy heart and jotted a note to fellow missionaries in Calcutta. “Our dear brother Ward breathed his last about half an hour ago, viz. a quarter before five o’clock and will be committed to the grave tomorrow evening.…
1837 HT: Dan Graves In 1639, a non-conformist preacher named Abraham Pierson landed at Plymouth, Massachusetts. One hundred and ninety eight years later, on this day, March 6, 1837, one of Abraham’s most illustrious descendants, Arthur T. Pierson, was born in New York City. He was the ninth of ten children. Like his forefather Abraham,…