Lectionary Calendar
Sunday, December 10th, 2023
the Second Week of Advent
the Second Week of Advent
Attention!
StudyLight.org has pledged to help build churches in Uganda. Help us with that pledge and support pastors in the heart of Africa.
Click here to join the effort!
Click here to join the effort!
Historical Writings
Today in Christian History
Sunday, December 19
1790
Meeting commences in Philadelphia to create the First Day Society, a Sunday school organization.
1808
Birth of Horatius Bonar, Scottish clergyman and poet. He authored several missionary biographies and penned over 600 hymns, including "I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say."
1855
Birth of William Henry Draper, Anglican clergyman and hymnwriter. His words to "All Creatures of Our God and King" are an English translation of a Latin text believed to have been penned by St. Francis of Assisi.
1860
Birth of Frank E. Graeff, American Methodist clergyman. Well-known for his interest in children's ministry and for his storytelling abilities, Graeff also authored over 200 hymns, including "Does Jesus Care?"
1885
Adoniram Judson Gordon speaks to the annual Forefathers' celebration in Old Plymouth. His message takes aim at civilians without conscience, and at clergymen without creed. He had recently been jailed for imitating George Whitefield's practice of preaching on the Boston Commons.
1944
Birth of Andrew Robert Culverwell, American sacred music songwriter. This contemporary music artist has written such popular Christian songs as "Born Again" and "Come On, Ring Those Bells."
1965
American missionary and apologist Francis Schaeffer wrote in a letter: 'God has given us rules not because He is arbitrary, but because the rules...are fixed in His own character... Thus, when we sin we break the law of God...in the direction of destroying what we really are.'
1986
Death of pastor Abel Kolawole in his nineties. He had fled home under threat of death after his conversion, changed his name from Orisagbemi Owoahere, and evangelized among the Yoruba and Nupe peoples of Nigeria, despite threats by Muslims and pagans.
Copyright Statement
© 1987-2020, William D. Blake. Portions used by permission of the author, from "Almanac of the Christian Church"
© 1987-2020, William D. Blake. Portions used by permission of the author, from "Almanac of the Christian Church"
Subscribe
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "Today in Christian History" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Subscribe!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.