March 6 in Christian History

Mar 06, 2009 12:26 PM EST

1629 - In Germany, the Edict of Restitution ordered that all church property secularized since 1552 be restored to the Roman Catholic Church.


1735 - English revivalist George Whitefield wrote in a letter: 'The renewal of our natures is a work of great importance. It is not to be done in a day. We have not only a new house to build up, but an old one to pull down.'


1759 - English founder of Methodism John Wesley wrote in a letter: 'There is a wonderful mystery in the manner and circumstances of that mighty working, whereby God subdues all things to himself, and leaves nothing in the heart but his pure love alone.'


1919 - Death of Julia H. Johnston, 70, American Presbyterian Sunday School leader. She penned about 500 hymns during her lifetime, one of which is still sung today: "Grace Greater Than Our Sin" (a.k.a. "Marvelous Grace of our Loving Lord").


1933 - Death of Amos R. Wells, 71, pioneer U.S. Christian educator. From l901 until his death, he was editor of "Peloubet's Notes for the International Sunday School Lessons."


© 1987-2009, William D. Blake. Used by permission of the author, from

Almanac of the Christian Church