Among the many plaques commemorating great Americans, we find: John Winthrop 1588 – 1649 In the early autumn of 1630, Winthrop and his company landed at the foot of Prince Street from Charlestown. Thus was begun the settlement of Boston. The spirit of Winthrop is forever a challenge to America: “To avoid shipwreck and provide for our posterity, we must Read more...

Wikipedia: St. Stephan’s Gate, the Christian name of one of the city gates of the Old City of Jerusalem, also known as the “Lions’ Gate“. A post-Byzantine tradition holds that Stephen’s stoning occurred there, while an older tradition connects the martyrdom to the Damascus Gate, where a church and large monastic complex dedicated to Saint Stephen was built in the 5th century (see above). A modern Read more...

This marker commemorates the French Huguenot landing near this site on May 1, 1562, and their lives as colonists on the land until 1565. Hoping to escape religious persecution in Western Europe, the Huguenots set sail to this un-colonized portion of the New World, establishing La Caroline in June of 1564. Between May 1562 and September 1565, the Huguenots shaped Read more...

From ProtestantAlliance: Statute “De Haeretico Coniburendo”, the “Act for the burning of Heretics” passed in late 1400 or January 1401 was soon implemented – designed to suppress the Lollards, those godly followers of the teachings of John Wycliffe. The Act soon claimed its first victim, William Sawtrey. He was burnt at Smithfield on 26th February 1401. Just how horrific the Read more...

From Wikipedia: John Foxe (1516[1]/1517 – 18 April 1587)[2] was an English clergyman,[3] theologian, and historian, notable for his martyrology Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, telling of Christian martyrs throughout Western history, but particularly the sufferings of English Protestants and proto-Protestants from the 14th century and in the reign of Mary I. The book was widely owned and read by English Puritans and helped to mould British opinion on the Catholic Church for several centuries.[4] Photo The Wub, Read more...

Wikipedia: John Rogers (c. 1505 – 4 February 1555) was an English clergyman, Bible translator and commentator. He guided the development of the Matthew Bible in vernacular English during the reign of Henry VIII and was the first English Protestant executed as a heretic under Mary I. Photo Oosoom CC3.0 Read more...

Within a few feet of this spot, John Rogers, John Bradford, John Philpot, and other servants of God, suffered death by fire for the faith of Christ, in the years 1555, 1556, 1557. Wikipedia: John Rogers (c. 1505 – 4 February 1555) was an English clergyman, Bible translator and commentator. He guided the development of the Matthew Bible in vernacular English during the reign of Henry VIII and Read more...

Jacob Probst’s Report of Hendrik van Zutphen’s Martyrdom Jacob of Ypres, to the true disciple of Christ, Martin Luther: Grace and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who is our only mediator and a priest into eternity [1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 5:6]. What should I say, dearest brothers? Where should I begin? The soul is in Read more...

From Wikipedia: Jan van Essen and Hendrik Vos or Voes, were the first two Lutherans martyrs, executed by the Council of Brabant for their adherence to Reformation doctrine. They were burned at the stake in Brussels on 1 July 1523.[1] Background Essen and Vos were friars of the Order of Saint Augustine resident at the Augustinian priory in Antwerp, now St. Andrew’s Church. When in 1522 all the friars there publicly professed Lutheran doctrine, the Bishop of Cambrai had them all arrested Read more...

Hymn History: I Know Whom I Have Believed & Author: Daniel Webster Whittle     “Many years have passed since that night in the Richmond Hospital, and I am still trusting and confessing the Lord Jesus Christ, and purpose by God’s grace to continue doing so until He calls me Home.” (Daniel Webster Whittle)   The Origins of the Hymn Read more...

Hymn History: I Am Resolved & Author: Palmer Hartsough “His full life of ministry and continual service are a testament to what he suggests in this very hymn—that he spent his days working for things to come.” (Cameron Frank) The Origin of the Hymn “I Am Resolved” The hymn “I Am Resolved” has long served as a call to commitment Read more...

Hymn History: His Eye Is on the Sparrow & Author: Civilla D. Martin “Civilla Durfee Martin … was a schoolteacher with a modest musical training. She and her husband, Walter Stillman Martin, often wrote gospel songs for revival meetings.” (C. Michael Hawn)   The Origin of the Hymn “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” Few hymns have touched as many Read more...

Hymn History: Hiding in Thee & Author: William O. Cushing “It must be said of this hymn [‘Hiding in Thee’] that it was the outgrowth of many tears, many heart-conflicts, and soul-yearnings, of which the world can know nothing. The history of many battles is behind it.” (William O. Cushing)   The Origin of the Hymn “Hiding in Thee” Few Read more...

Hymn History: He Leadeth Me & Author: Joseph H. Gilmore “I set out to give the people an exposition of the 23rd Psalm, which I had given before on three or four occasions, but this time I did not get further than the words ‘He Leadeth Me.’ Psalm 23:2, ‘he leadeth me beside the still waters,’ became the theme of Read more...

Hymn History: Grace Greater than All Our Sin & Author: Julia Harriette Johnston “Julia Harriette Johnston served as president of the Presbyterian Missionary Society of Peoria for 20 years, and wrote more than 500 hymns.” (The Cyber Hymnal)   The Origin of the Hymn “Grace Greater Than All Our Sin” Among the great hymns of the Christian faith that celebrate Read more...