Historical Writings

[probable date] Death at Novara of Saint Bernard of Menthon (Bernard of Savoy) who evangelized in the Alps. He was famed for founding monasteries in the mountains to succor travelers - monasteries that sent out monks with large dogs to seek people lost in winter snows.

Joseph Alleine, Puritan author of An Alarm to the Unconverted, is thrown into Lichester prison because he does not comply with England's Act of Uniformity.

Roman Catholic bishop John Carroll of Baltimore issues a pastoral letter, the first document of its sort in the United States. Among its main themes is a call for Christian education.

Death at Newhaven, Connecticut, of Noah Webster, author of an American speller and other works, including a dictionary, that distinguished American English from British. He had been a conservative in politics and religion.

Commencement of the first Latin American Plenary Council, held in Rome, to discuss numerous issues faced by the Catholic churches of Latin America.

Samuel Clement Perry joins the Church of God, Cleveland, where he will do notable work before his exclusion.

Death in Sydney, Australia, of missionary leader, Florence Selina Harriett Young.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill which added the words "under God" to the Pledge of Allegiance.

Wu Weizun, a staunch Christian, who has suffered severely for his faith in Chinese prisons and camps, is formally released from prison. Because of his persistence in faith and refusal to pretend he has accepted the communist line, the authorities decide to take care of him, giving him a hut, official registration, and a monthly allowance.

Release of US Citizen Eddie Jun Yong-Su, who had been arrested while attempting Christian work in North Korea. He had been beaten so severely he can scarcely walk without help