14th October: Today in Christian History

14th October, 1566

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

14th October, 1656

Massachusetts enacts a law prohibiting “Quakerism.” The laws decree fines and mutilations for various offenses.

14th October, 1703

On this day in Christian History, Thomas H. Kingo, a Danish hymnwriter died.

14th October, 1735

On this day in Christian History, John and Charles Wesley sail for Georgia on the Simmonds. According to John’s journal, their purpose was to save their souls and to live wholly to the glory of God. However, he soon discovers he is spiritually powerless.

14th October, 1776

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

14th October, 1829 

Alexander and Ann Duff sailed from London for India aboard the Lady Holland. They were the first missionaries of the Church of Scotland to India. The ship was wrecked near Cape Town, South Africa. The Duffs lost everything except the clothes on their backs and their Bible and Psalm book. In May -- eight months and another shipwreck later -- they arrived in Calcutta praising God for the hardships. Duff founded an English-speaking college. By 1844 he had a thousand students.

14th October, 1886

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.

14th October, 1898

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.

14th October, 1916

On this day in Christian History, 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.

14th October, 1921

On this day in Christian History, Ambrosius was 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.

14th October, 1957

On this day in Christian History, Edward Thomas Demby died. In his lifetime, he was the second African-American bishop of the Episcopal Church, a suffragen (assistant) bishop.