Historical Writings

Repose (death) of Ignatius of Methymna, a Metropolitan of the Greek Church, and founder of the monasteries of Panagia Myrtidiotissa and Leimonos.

The first punitive legislation in Massachusetts against Quakers was enacted. (The marriage of church-and-state in Puritanism made them regard the ritual-free Quakers as spiritually apostate and politically subversive).

Death of Thomas H. Kingo, Danish hymnwriter.

Methodist pioneer John Wesley first set sail to America, to minister to the Indians under Georgia Gov. Oglethorpe. On this same date, Wesley began keeping his famous, 55-year-long journal, whose last entry was dated Oct 24, 1790.

Baptism of Benjamin Randall as an adult, having switched to Baptist views while in the Continental Army.

Birth of William G. Fischer, American sacred chorister. Three of his compositions later became hymn tunes: FISCHER ("Whiter Than Snow"), HANKEY ("I Love to Tell the Story") and ROCK OF REFUGE ("The Rock That is Higher Than I").

Birth of Harry A. Ironside, American clergyman. Converted at 14, he preached for the Salvation Army, later for the Plymouth Brethren. From 1930-1948, he pastored at the Moody Memorial Church in Chicago.

The Presbyterian Synod of Michigan adopts a resolution that leads to the founding of Alma College, principally to educate ministerial students for the Presbyterian Church.

Slaughter of French Catholic missionary Henri Chanes and eleven Chinese Christians at Boluo in Guangdong Province. The massacre comes at a time of growing anti-foreigner sentiment in China, owing to Western seizures of Chinese ports and one-sided treaties forced on the hapless nation.

Razafindrasoa of Madagascar takes her vows as a nun. Her Protestant family had opposed the move, even with beatings, until the last moment. Sister Marie-Joseph (the name she takes) will work with children and as a family counselor.

Ambrosius is elected Patriarch of All Georgia. As leader of his nation's Orthodox Church, he was noted for his resistance to Soviet tyranny. At the conclusion of his 1924 show trial, his words were "My soul belongs to God, my heart to my country; you, my executioners, do what you will with my body." He was also historian of the Georgian Church.

Death of Edward Thomas Demby, who had been the second African-American bishop of the Episcopal Church, a suffragen (assistant) bishop.

The National Council of Churches issued "The Inclusive Language Lectionary -- " Scripture readings translated to omit or blur gender references. God was thus called "Father and Mother" or "the One"; and "man" was replaced by "humanity" or "humankind." The translation proved shortlived.