October 17, 1910

Death of Julia Ward Howe (b. 1819), American writer and social reformer. Prior to the War Between the States, she helped edit an abolitionist newspaper. During the U.S. Civil War, she wrote the hymn that became the theme song of the Union armies: “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”.

September 25, 1493

Twelve Spanish missionaries set sail for the New World to formally introduce Christianity to the Americas.  Their initial chapel was built at Port Conception on Hispaniola (the island of present day Haiti and the Dominican Republic) where in December of 1493 they conducted a Christian worship service for the first time in the New World.

September 3, 1776

Anglican hymn writer John Newton asserted in a letter:  “The love I bear Christ is but a faint and feeble spark, but it is an emanation from Himself.  He kindled it and He keeps it alive; and because it is His work, I trust many waters shall not quench it.”

August 24, 1759

Birth of William Wilberforce, English philanthropist, in Yorkshire, England.  He became a Christian in early life and entered politics in 1790.  Wilberforce, John Newton and Thomas Clarkson brilliantly undermined the arguments and efforts of those in favor of slavery.  Complete abolition of slavery in England came just before his death in 1833.  He was also instrumental in the founding of the Church Missionary Society in 1799, as well as the British and Foreign Bible Society in 1804.  Wilberforce College in Ohio (founded in 1856), the second oldest institution for black higher education in the U.S., was named after him.