1563 - The Heidelberg Catechism was first published in Germany. Written by Peter Ursinus and Caspar Olevianus, it comprised a balanced statement of Calvinist tradition, and was soon after accepted by nearly all of the Reformed churches in Europe.
1568 - Death of Miles Coverdale, 80, publisher of the first printed English Bible. He completed the translation of the Old Testament which William Tyndale had left unfinished at his death in 1536.
1774 - Pioneer Methodist bishop Francis Asbury wrote in his journal: 'Lord, ever draw my heart after thee! May I see no beauty in any other object, nor desire anything but thee!'
1804 - Anglican missionary to Persia Henry Martyn wrote in his journal: 'To be made fit for the work of a missionary I resigned the comforts of a married life, ...and that was a severe struggle. Now again will I put forth the hand of faith, though the struggle will be far more severe.'
1889 - The Salvation Army split, as one faction within the denomination renounced allegiance to founder William Booth. Booth's son Ballington and his wife Maud led the American splinter group, which in 1896 incorporated itself as a separate denomination known as the Volunteers of America.
© 1987-2011, William D. Blake. Used by permission of the author, from
Almanac of the Christian Church
