January 24: Today in Christian History

January 24, 1529

Tatars bind John of Kazan in Kazan (now a Russian Federation city but then under control of the Mongols) and mortally wound him with swords when he refuses to convert to Islam.

January 24, 1539

Belgium issues a mandate against the Mennonites whom it harrasses because of their Anabaptist beliefs.

January 24, 1597

The Dutch rout a Spanish force at the Battle of Turnhout, confirming their resolution to never again submit to Spanish rule. 

January 24, 1722

Harvard appoints theologian Edward Wigglesworth to fill the newly created Thomas Hollis chair at Harvard College, the first divinity professor in America. By casting doubt on Calvinism, Wigglesworth will become a force for the development of Unitarianism in New England. Yale will be founded to counter his liberalism.

January 24, 1831

The London Provisional Committee issues a circular to the secretaries of the county associations of Independent churches in England and Wales, explaining the objects of a proposed union and inviting the associations to send deputies to a meeting to be held in London in May for considering the scheme.

January 24, 1844

Fanny J. Crosby, who will become a notable hymnwriter, is one of seventeen students from the New York Institute of the Blind who give a concert for the United States Congress, and she recites a thirteen stanza original composition calling for the creation of institutes for the education of the blind in every state. This draws “calls for an encore” and earns the congratulations of John Quincy Adams.

January 24, 1886

Thomas De Witt Talmage celebrates his seventeenth year as pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle. A noted orator, he is one of the leading pastors of his day and a crusader against vice in New York City. .

January 24, 1975

Frederick Donald Coggan in his enthronement sermon as Archbishop of Canterbury calls for more people to put themselves forward for ordination.

January 24, 2006

Unknown gunmen assassinate Elijah Yisa, an Anglican pastor, discipleship mentor, and evangelist among Nigeria’s Muslims.