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Friday, March 29th, 2024
Good Friday
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Historical Writings

Today in Christian History

Friday, March 29

1523
German reformer Martin Luther wrote in a letter: 'There has never been a great revelation of God's Word unless God has first prepared the way by the rise and the flourishing of languages and learning, as though these were forerunners, a sort of John the Baptist.'
1547
English reformer John Hooper and his wife are welcomed to Zurich by Heinrich Bullinger, having temporarily left England because of persecution by King Henry VIII. Hooper will perish at the stake under Mary Tudor.
1549
First Jesuits arrive in Brazil led by Father Manuel de Nobrega.
1638
The first Swedish colonists in America established a Lutheran settlement at Fort Christiana in the Colony of Delaware.
1751
Death of Captain Thomas Coram. Appalled at the sight of children dying in London's streets, he had urged the creation of the Foundling Hospital in that city. The orphanage will be claimed as the world’s first incorporated charity and in its chapel the captain’s remains will be interred on April 3.
1772
Death in London of Emanuel Swedenborg, a versatile thinker who had made contributions to science, but later in life veered into mysticism. His writings claimed direct revelations from God and angels to restore the true Christian religion. He had also claimed he spoke with extraterrestrials from the moon, Mercury, and other planets in the solar system. Centuries later, his thought will still have adherents and defenders.
1788
Death of Charles Wesley in London. An evangelist like his more famous brother, John, he also wrote many hymns of the highest quality.
1832
The Kentucky Baptist Convention was organized in Frankfort with delegates representing nine congregations within the state.
1847
Birth of Winfield Scott Weeden, American sacred chorister and hymnwriter. During his life he led music and singing schools for the YMCA and Christian Endeavor. Of his several musical compositions, Weeden is best remembered today for the hymn, "I Surrender All."
1882
The Knights of Columbus, founded by Father Michael J. McGivney, was chartered by the General Assembly of Connecticut. Established as a lay fraternal society, the K of C encourages benevolence, patriotism and racial tolerance among its members.
1887
Death at Newark, New Jersey, of hymn writer Ray Palmer. His most famous hymn is “My Faith Looks up to Thee.”
1927
Death of Ambrosius of Georgia in Tbilisi. He had been the partriarch of all Georgia, a historian of his people and their church, and a staunch opponent of Soviet communism. The Soviets had imprisoned him and his death came shortly after his release.
1991
Ezra Lawiri is fatally wounded by an artillery shell as the Sudanese battle around him. An Episcopal priest, educator, author, and translator, he had refused to take refuge in Kenya, saying death would overtake him wherever he was when his time came.
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