Here’s this week’s inspirational delve into the past by Paul James-Griffiths of Christian Heritage Edinburgh. Paul writes, “This week’s focus is about an extraordinary missionary called Alexander Duff, whose model for higher education had a huge impact on shaping India, and whose work inspired many other missionaries to go and do likewise in many parts of the…
1737 Twenty-year-old Benjamin Beddome hears a visiting preacher speak on the text “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent,” and is deeply moved. Within two years he will be studying for…
1708 HT: Dan Graves WE KNOW that Francis Makemie came to the American colonies in 1682 or after—the year Laggan Presbytery in Ireland ordained him to evangelize in America. Where or when he landed, we do not know. Yet he would become a notable Presbyterian founder, preaching in Barbadoes, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New York.…
1872 HT: Dan Graves Although the son of an earl, Ashley Cooper was neglected and abused. His father bullied him. Bringing him to one of the boarding schools which he would attend, his father knocked down the sensitive boy at the door and advised the tutor to do the same. Ashley carried scars of depression…
1555 HT: Dan Graves James Abbes stripped off his clothes and shoes. Where he was going in a few minutes, he would not need them–new and glorious garments would be his. But here on earth, some poor folk might find his old garments helpful. The crowd had come to see one of the burnings that…
1834 Death of missionary Robert Morrison at age 52. The first English Protestant missionary to China, he had translated the Bible into Chinese, constructed a Chinese grammar, founded an Anglo-Chinese college, and edited a six-volume Chinese dictionary. 1883 HT: Dan Graves Harold Schofield was desperately ill. The young doctor, just 31 years old, had contracted…
1820 HT: Christian History Institute The Moravians were among the earliest Protestants to engage in foreign mission work. Their outreach included efforts among the Eskimos of Newfoundland and Labrador. In an outpost at Nain, they saw many conversions with great improvement of character. The mission at Hebron, Labrador, around 1860. Original drawing by Moravian Bishop Levin Theodor…
Herman Bavinck was a leading theologian and educator during the nineteenth century Dutch Calvinist revival. He worked closely with famed politician and theologian Abraham Kuyper for many years. In 1920, Bavinck suffered a heart attack, followed by a second in 1921, dying on this day 29 July, 1921. As he lay dying he was asked if…
1881 HT: Dan Graves J Gresham Machen was born into southern aristocracy in Baltimore, Maryland on this day, July 28, 1881. Through inheritances, he became wealthy as a young man. At one time and another, his grandfather on his mother’s side and his own father each left him $50,000 in a day when a family could…
1620 HT: Christian History Institute Many of the Pilgrims who ventured on the Mayflower had lived for several years as refugees in the Netherlands. They embarked on the Speedwell at Delftshaven in July 1620, leaving the majority of their company behind with pastor John Robinson. John Robinson memorial plaque in Leyden The plan was for the first group to…