This Day in History February 28, 1638

I was quite intrigued by this tidbit in church history.  In 1637, relations were not good between the churches in England and Scotland.  King Charles I and Archbishop Laud tried to bring them together.  As you can expect, the Scottish people weren't too happy with some of the things that were tried since the bishops of England were mandating certain things through books of common prayer and the like.  So the Scottish decided to get together and created a covenant.  This National Covenant was signed on this date in 1638, in the Church of Edinburgh in Scotland.  Leading individuals signed it, and on the next day, even more people signed it.  When the Kind of England would not listen, civil war broke out.  A few years later, Parliament did come up with a similar document that guaranteed a lot of the same rights that the Scots had claimed in this National Covenant.

For more information:
http://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1601-1700/scotland-signed-national-covenant-11630097.html
http://www.british-civil-wars.co.uk/glossary/scots-national-covenant.htm

This Day in History, January 6, 361

By Unknown Master, German (active around 1510 in Cologne) (Web Gallery of Art:   Image  Info about artwork) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

On this date in 361, the first Christian holiday of Epiphany was established.  This is the twelfth day of Christmas, and it is traditionally the day that the three kings came to visit the Christ Child.  It also celebrates His baptism and even the Wedding at Cana.  It was the Eastern Church where this entire tradition began.  There are many traditions associated throughout the world with this Christian holiday.  Many people see this as the end of the holiday season and take down their Christmas decorations.  In Latin America, children dress up like kings and go from house to house singing carols in the days preceding All Kings Day (as it is sometimes called).  In Argentina, they leave wine, fruit, and milk outside their doors for the kings and their camels to enjoy.  In France, they eat All Kings Cake which has a little gift hidden inside of it.  If you get that item, you are king for the day.

Interested in making one of these cakes?  Check out the recipes here.

For more information:
http://www.punchbowl.com/holidays/2013/1/6/three-kings-day
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiphany_(holiday)
http://www.cresourcei.org/cyepiph.html
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05504c.htm

This Day in History October 28, 1949

Today's feature is something that is indeed humbling to me, and I have heard about this amazing story since I was very young.  Have you ever heard of Jim Elliot?  Maybe you are familiar with his wife's work Through Gates of Splendor.  If not, let me tell you just briefly about Jim Elliot.

He was October 8, 1927, in Portland, Oregon.  He became a Christian at a young age, and he attended Wheaton College in Illinois.  He knew he was called to be a missionary, and although he met his future wife, they held off pursuing a relationship due to what they believed was God's will.  They did marry finally in October 8, 1953, as they had discovered it was God's will that they should marry.

Elliot and four other missionaries believed God had called them to the native peoples of Ecuador.  The Waodani people had not been reached with the gospel at this point.  January 8, 1956, he and the other missionaries' bodies were found.  The peoples had killed them.  You might be interested to know that his wife (now widow) had the privilege of leading the one who killed her husband to the Lord.  Talk about an absolute miracle!

It was on this date in 1949, that Jim Elliot wrote one of the most profound sayings that have impacted people all over Christendom.
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."

For more information, please check out:
http://www.christianheroes.com/people/christian_heroes_jim_elliot.asp
http://www.hyperhistory.net/apwh/bios/b4jelliot6ra.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Elliot
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/thisweekinchristianhistory/october28.html

This Day in History July 17, 180 A.D.

As I searched for a topic this morning, I was quite amazed to read about this story.  On this date in 180 A.D., twelve North African Christians were executed for their beliefs.  They are known as the Scillitan Martyrs, and their names were Speratus, Nartzalus, Cintinus (Cittinus), Veturius, Felix, Aquilinus, Laetantius, Januaria, Generosa, Vestia, Donata, and Secunda (5 women, 7 men).  


Speratus was the principal spokesman, and according to his account, the twelve individuals led a quiet life, paid their dues, and they tried to live at peace with all.  When they were asked to swear and oath of allegiance to the emperor, he was the one who answered, "I recognize not the empire of this world; but rather do I serve that God whom no man hath seen, nor with these eyes can see."  They were offered a 30-day reprieve where they could consider changing their minds, but none of them did.  They were beheaded.


When I read things like this, I am always cut to the quick.  God has never asked me to suffer like this.  I realize that the time may come when He does, and I can only say that should I have to face this, I will respond like these men and women of faith.


For more information, please check out:
http://www.bartleby.com/210/7/172.html
http://www.antiochian.org/content/scillitan-martyrs-north-africa
http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/timeline/North_Africa
http://www.dacb.org/stories/tunisia/speratus_.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scillitan_Martyrs
https://homepaddock.wordpress.com/2012/07/17/july-17-in-history-4/

This Day in History June 2, 1615

For my Canadian friends, today's feature concerns Quebec.  It was on this date in 1615 that the first Recollet missionaries arrived in Quebec City from Rouen, France.  It is said that it was the Recollets who brewed the first beer in Quebec in 1620.  They were later succeeded by the Jesuits.  It seems as though they are a breed that eventually died out.

While this may not be an earth-shattering history fact, I have to say that I was pleased to find something a little different.  Quebec is one of those places that has fascinated me since I took three years of French in high school.  Maybe I will go one day.

For more information:
http://www.civilization.ca/virtual-museum-of-new-france/population/religious-congregations/
http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/articles/recollets
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C3%A9collets

This Day in History May 30, 1416

Jerome Prague was born in modern day Czech Republic (Bohemia) in 1379.  He was a prominent philosopher, theologian, and university professor who became a church reformer.  His teachings emphasized that the teachings of God were directly accessible to Christians without a church leader's aid.  This was contrary to the teachings of the Catholic church.  He was a supporter of Wycliff and Hus (martyrs), but his physical ailments did cause him to denounce them and recant his contrary views.

Huss (Jerome's mentor) was eventually burned at the stake.  Jerome denounced the church yet again, and on this date in 1416, he was burned at the stake.  His final words from the throes of the fire were:

"O Lord God, Father Almighty, have mercy upon me, and be merciful unto mine offences, for thou knowest how sincerely I have loved thy truth."

Whenever I read of martyrs such as this, I am reminded of what freedoms I have in this country and at this point in history.  I can only hope and pray that those freedoms will not be taken from me.

For more information, please check out these sites:
http://www.ianpaisley.org/article.asp?ArtKey=prague
http://www.exclassics.com/foxe/foxe108.htm
http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Jerome_Of_Prague
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerome_of_Prague

This Day in History May 23, 1430

When I was a child, I was fascinated by Joan of Arc.  I remember reading lots of books about her, and I saw a couple of movies.  Mark Twain's book about her was one of his finest.  I don't even remember where I heard of her or why she fascinated me so.  It was probably her strong faith and her tragic death at such a young age.

I was fascinated to discover that on this date in 1430, Joan of Arc was captured by the Burgundians who later sold her to the English which later led to her death.  I realize that there is a lot in her life that sounds suspicious or very strange, but I believe quite strongly that no one could have faced death the way she did if she had not truly known God.  I understand that some of what she believed seems rather foreign to us, but when you take into account that she was uneducated and illiterate, perhaps some of what she said makes a little more sense.  And I think her last words as she perished in the flames tell us a lot.  She cried out, "Jesus!"    I believe quite strongly that she found rest in His arms as she passed from this earth.

For more information, please check out:
http://www.maidofheaven.com/joanofarc_long_biography.asp
http://www.french-at-a-touch.com/French_History/saint_joan_of_arc_iii.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_of_arc

This Day in History May 20, 1521

Well, here is another new one for me--never heard of this one.  The man pictured here, Ignatius Loyola, was severely wounded by a canon ball on this day in 1521.  One leg was shattered, and the other was broken.  Amazingly, he lived although he had to undergo several operations (without anesthetics, I might add).

During the time of recuperation, he read a commentary on the life of Christ.  It led to his conversion, and he became a soldier for Christ.  This brings up the age-old question--why do bad things happen to good people?  I don't think anyone would think that getting severely wounded by a canon ball would be a good thing.  And yet God had a purpose in this pain and suffering.,  He prepared one of his most avid Christian soldiers for the work that lay ahead.  Had Igantius not been wounded, he would never have been saved and gone on to great things.

For more information, please check out:
http://www.netplaces.com/saints/missionary-saints/st-ignatius-of-loyola-14911556.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignatius_of_Loyola
http://www.skepticism.org/timeline/may-history/5668-ignatius-loyola-wounded-cannon-ball.html

This Day in History December 25, 354 (maybe)

I am sure that today's title throws you--it does me, too. One site assured me that the first definite date that Christmas was celebrated on December 25 was this date in 357.  Three sites say 354.  And other sites give even more dates.  I am not honestly sure, I must admit.

And maybe I don't really care.  After all, Christmas is not truly the date of Jesus's birth.  And we aren't even commanded to remember His birth, are we?  And just look at what Christmas has become!

Don't worry, I still love Christmas.  I still celebrate it.  I even put up decorations and give Christmas presents.  I will even say "Happy Holidays" and not be offended.  After all, we celebrate more than one holiday this time of year--Christmas, New Year's, Hanukkah, Kawanza, and more.  So there is nothing wrong with saying Happy Holidays, as far as I am concerned.

The thing I always come back to is that without the birth of Christ, you can't have his death/resurrection.  I don't like the commercialism that has become associated with Christmas.  Goodness, I don't even really want to be with my family on Christmas this year (pretty pathetic, I know).  But I can thank God for His incomparable gift of Jesus Christ without Whom I would be lost.  Literally!

For more information, check out these sites:

http://www.christianity.com/ChurchHistory/11629658/

http://askville.amazon.com/Christmas-begin-celebrated/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=2952119

http://askville.amazon.com/time-Christmas-celebrated-Santa-gifts-involved/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=408302

http://www.amug.org/~jpaul/dec25.html

This Day in History December 10, 1520

I thought I would throw in something a little different today.  Has anyone reading this heard of Martin Luther?  He is the one who is credited with beginning the Reformation (but others were actually doing it before him).  He is the founder of the Lutheran church, and he is the one who said that salvation is by grace alone.  He completely broke with the Catholic church.

It was on this date in 1520 that he did something quite momentous.  He had already posted his 95 theses--the "official" start of the Reformation by some counts.  You can imagine all the controversy he stirred up, but that was only the beginning.

He took what was called the Papal Bull (the books of church law and others) and burned them.  He is rumored to have said, "Because you, godless book, have grieved or shamed the holiness of the Father, be saddened and consumed by the eternal flames of Hell.".


He had been pronounced a heretic, and he was excommunicated from the Catholic church the following month.  In spite of anything untoward written about Martin Luther, I have to say that I probably would not be the Christian I am today without him.  While he may not have been the first of the Reformers, his views actually brought the Reformation to the notice of the world as a whole.  Or at least the Western world.  I have to say that I respect that he was willing to take some incredible chances for his faith.  I can only hope and pray that if faced with a time when I have to take a stand for my faith that I would be at least as bold as Luther.


For more information, check out:
http://www.cojs.org/cojswiki/Martin_Luther_Burns_the_Papal_Bull%2C_Dec._10%2C_1520
http://www.luther.de/en/bann.html

This Day in History October 26, 1751

Today we celebrate the Puritan hymnwriter of Grace Tis a Charming Sound and O Happy Day--Philip Doddridge.  He was born in London, England June 26, 1702--the youngest of 20 children!  Yikes!  He was not expected to live when he was born, and he struggled with health issues all of his life.  Amazingly, only he and his sister survived infancy. And he was orphaned at the age of 13 when his parents both died in the same year.

To make a long story short, he chose to be a noncomformist minister instead of staying with the Church of England. He was good friends with Isaac Watts and George Whitfield.  He received a Doctor of Divinity Degree from the Univeristy of Aberdeen in 1736.   He died of tuberculosis on this date in 1751.

For more information, check out these sites:
http://www.christianity.com/ChurchHistory/11630258/
http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/Biographies/philip_doddridge.htm

His best-known hymn: