1537 - Geneva's first Protestant catechism was published. Based on Calvin's "Institutes," it was compiled by John Calvin, 27, and/or by fellow French reformer, Guillaume Farel, 48.
1667 - English poet John Milton, 58, sold the copyright to his religious epic "Paradise Lost" for ten English pounds (less than $30).
1775 - Death of Moravian missionary Peter Bohler, 63. Commissioned by Count Zinzendorf in 1737, Bohler encountered the as-yet-unsaved John Wesley, no doubt imprinting within him the later Methodist characteristics of crisis conversion, joyful assurance of God's acceptance and a Christian lifestyle of self- surrendering faith.
1832 - The American Baptist Home Mission Society was formed in New York City. During its first 15 years, $1.66 million in contributions were raised, 14,426 churches were organized and 1,116 missionaries were sent out.
1950 - The modern state of Israel was officially recognized by the British government.
© 1987-2009, William D. Blake. Used by permission of the author, from
Almanac of the Christian Church
