January 7: Today in Christian History

January 7, 312

Lucian, Presbyter of Antioch, is tried and executed for his faith in Nicomedia.

January 7, 1450

Pope Nicholas V issues a papal bull acceding to a request from King James II to establish a university in Glasgow.

January 7, 1715

Death of Francois Fenelon, archbishop of Cambrai, France, who had written on Christian love and perfection.

January 7, 1822

The Tsarist regime, hoping to strengthen Christian presence in the Caucasus and convert Muslims, authorizes separatists (who rejected state Lutheranism) to create missionary colonies in the Caucasus. Basel missionaries soon establish a missionary school and a printing-house in Shusha.

January 7, 1868

Death in Montclair, New Jersey, of William B. Bradbury, composer of the tunes to which we sing many well-loved hymns, including “Jesus Loves Me,” “Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Me,” “Take My Life and Let it Be,” “Sweet Hour of Prayer,” “Just as I Am,” and others. He had published fifty-nine collections of sacred and secular music.

January 7, 1870

Isabella Thoburn of Ohio arrives in India where she becomes a great missionary-educator.

January 7, 1917

Baptism of Elija Titus Latunde at twelve years of age. He will become the third president of the Christ Apostolic Churches in Nigeria, which will experience phenomenal growth under his leadership. He will also spearhead secular development projects and serve as a peacemaker with Muslims.