1663 If August H. Francke is not exactly a household word, that is probably as he would want it. Yet he was a man of extraordinary accomplishments who dusted off faith and put it into practice. His desire was “a life changed, a church revived, a nation reformed, a world evangelized.” The orphanage he built…
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…
1528 HT: Stagger and Reel On this day, March 10th, we remember Balthasar Hubmaier, a courageous theologian and reformer who lived and died for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Born into humble beginnings in Augsburg, Germany, Hubmaier rose to become a respected theologian, receiving his Master’s degree from the University of Freiburg and his Doctor…
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…
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,…
1834 HT: Dan Graves Some Christians exhibit an unusual degree of faith. On this day, March 5, 1834 George Müller and Henry Craik announced their intent to form a new society. It was to be called “The Scripture Knowledge Institution, for Home and Abroad.” What made the decision so bold was that the institution had not a shilling to its…
HT: Christian History Institute On this day, 4 March 1963, two missionary couples drove out of Saigon, South Vietnam, crowded into a Land-Rover with their five children. The Makils and Jacobsens were headed north along Route 20, toward the Makil home near Dalat. The Makils were recent arrivals in Vietnam where they planned to engage in…
1877 HT: Dan Graves William Strong was born on this day, March 3, 1877, to Presbyterian parents. His father had done mission work in South America for two years, but a breakdown in health sent him back to America. There he founded an insurance company. Following in his father’s footsteps, William sold insurance, too. He joined a church…