Apr. 19 in Christian History

Apr 19, 2010 11:52 AM EDT

1529 - In Germany at the Diet of Spires (Speyer), a document signed by Lutheran leaders in fourteen cities lodged a "protest" which demanded a freedom of conscience and the right of minorities. Henceforth, the German Lutheran Reformers were known as "Protestants."


1823 - Birth of Anna L. Waring, Welsh Anglican hymnwriter. "In Heavenly Love Abiding" is one of her best-known hymns, and is still sung today.


1887 - The Catholic University of America was chartered in Washington, D.C.


1930 - American pioneer linguist Frank C. Laubach, while serving as a missionary in the Philippines, wrote in a letter: 'Fellowship with God is like a delicate little plant, for a long nurturing is the price of having it, while it vanishes in a second of time, as soon as we try to seat some other unworthy affection beside Him.'


1941 - Robert F. Wagner, Sr. introduced a resolution in the U.S. Senate stating that U.S. policy should favor the "restoration of the Jews in Palestine." The resolution was supported by 68 Senators.


© 1987-2010, William D. Blake. Used by permission of the author, from

Almanac of the Christian Church