Historical Writings

Death of Chrodegang, an eminent French bishop who had labored to bring the French liturgy into conformity with the Roman Catholic; had promoted Gregorian chant; restored and founded churches, abbeys, and other religious institutions; elevated the standard of learning among the clergy; urged use of the Benedictine Rule by monks; and encouraged Pepin (king of the Franks) to protect Rome.

Tommaso Parentucelli is elected pope, and takes the name Nicholas V. Nicholas, a great lover of literature and the arts, will exert much effort to improve Rome as a fitting home for a great Christian civilization. He will grant a charter for the University of Glasgow, Scotland. His Concordat of Vienna will secure the papacy the right to control benefices and sees.

Philip III, King of Spain, issues the Cedula Magna (Great Decree) that says Indians should be as free as Spaniards. Under this and other decrees, Jesuits work among the Indians of Brazil and Paraguay to protect and train Indians.

In Germany, the Edict of Restitution ordered that all church property secularized since 1552 be restored to the Roman Catholic Church.

Pope Urban VIII forbids the reading of Augustinus, a Jansenist book.

English revivalist George Whitefield wrote in a letter: 'The renewal of our natures is a work of great importance. It is not to be done in a day. We have not only a new house to build up, but an old one to pull down.'

English founder of Methodism John Wesley wrote in a letter: 'There is a wonderful mystery in the manner and circumstances of that mighty working, whereby God subdues all things to himself, and leaves nothing in the heart but his pure love alone.'

The New York Evangelist is founded with the assistance of Charles G. Finney for the express purpose of representing revival interests and will soon command a large circulation.

Death in Oslo of Norwegian editor and hymnwriter, Elevine Heede. Altogether she had written or translated more than two hundred hymns.

Amy Carmichael, serving as a missionary in India, shelters her first temple runaway, a young girl dedicated to the Hindu gods and forced into prostitution to earn money for the priests.

Death at Battle Creek, Michigan, of Uriah Smith, a prominent author, pastor, educator, and editor in the early Seventh-day Adventist Church. He wrote Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation that represents their prophetic views, edited their Review and Herald, and helped found Battle Creek College, where he taught Bible classes. Some of his writings included anti-trinitarian views.

Russians slaughter the Turkish 3rd Army, giving no quarter to the men held responsible for the recent massacre of Armenian Christians.

Death of Julia H. Johnston, 70, American Presbyterian Sunday School leader. She penned about 500 hymns during her lifetime, one of which is still sung today: "Grace Greater Than Our Sin" (a.k.a. "Marvelous Grace of our Loving Lord").

Death of Amos R. Wells, 71, pioneer U.S. Christian educator. From l901 until his death, he was editor of "Peloubet's Notes for the International Sunday School Lessons."

Death of Lutheran pastor Martin Niemoller, a founder of Germany's Confessing Church and an opponent of the Nazis, who imprisoned him for many years.

Death in Ghana of Solomon Enoch Yaw Opam, a Seventh Day Adventist leader, who had rejected kingship when his people tried to force him to assume the throne. He said "My kingdom is not of this earth." He had been a pastor, educator, translator, and evangelist among his people.