On This Day…

✶ Robert Murray McCheyne, born in 1813, was a Scottish minister and disciple of the godly Andrew Bonar. He was a sickly man and died very young, but the spiritual quality of his life and ministry live to this day. On January 27, 1842, he sat down with pen and paper to reply to a young boy named Johnnie who was anxious about his soul. McCheyne began: “I was very glad to receive your kind note, and am glad to send you a short line in return, although my time is much taken up. You are very dear to me, because your soul is precious; and if you are ever brought to Jesus, washed and justified, you will praise Him more sweetly than an angel of light. I was riding in the snow today where no foot had trodden, and it was pure, pure white; and I thought again and again of that verse: ‘Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.’ ”

✶ January 27, 1908, Charles M. Alexander, evangelistic gospel song leader and associate of D. L. Moody and R. A. Torrey, made up his mind to join Wilber Chapman in evangelistic campaigns around the world. The two worked together until Alexander’s death in 1920 and are considered one of the most effective evangelistic partnerships of the twentieth century.

Robert J. Morgan, Nelson’s Annual Preacher’s Sourcebook, 2002 Edition (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2001), 24.

On This Day…

✶ January 20, 1669, is the birthday of Susanna Wesley.
✶ On this date in 1828, early American evangelist David Marks preached all day and retired to bed exhausted. Just past midnight, he felt so ill he thought he was going to die. Marks grew joyous at the prospect of heaven. But suddenly, thinking of sinners bound for hell, he seemed to hear a whisper: “Will you still go and warn them?” Weeping, Marks replied, “Yes, Lord, I will go and warn them as long as it shall be Thy will.” His recovery began instantly, adding years to his evangelistic labors.
✶ On January 20, 1858, missionaries Hudson and Maria Taylor were married.
✶ During the Revival of 1905, a Day of Prayer was proclaimed in Denver, Colorado, on Friday, January 20. So many people flocked to churches and theaters for prayer that most of the city’s stores and schools closed. The impact of the revival was felt for months.
✶ Eliza Davis served many years as the first black woman from Texas to go to Africa as a missionary. At age 65 she was recalled by her denomination, the National Baptist Convention, for retirement. But two years later, Eliza raised her own support and returned to Africa to serve another 25 years. On January 20, 1979, she celebrated her 100th birthday.

Robert J. Morgan, Nelson’s Annual Preacher’s Sourcebook, 2002 Edition (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2001), 16.

On This Day…

✶ Torrential rain on January 13, 1856, kept missionary J. Hudson Taylor confined to a little boat during a preaching tour of China. His diary on that day reads, “The rain was so heavy all day that no one could leave the boats. Thus we enjoyed a delightful day of rest, such as we had not had for some time; and the weather prevented much inquiry being made for us. Had the day been fine we should most likely have been discovered, even if we had not left the boats. As it was, we were allowed to think in peace, and with wonder and gratitude, of the gracious dealings of our God, who had thus led us apart into “a desert place” to rest awhile.
✶ On this day in 1892, Amy Carmichael responded to God’s call to be a foreign missionary.
✶ On January 13, 1915, Mary Slessor passed away at age 66, following nearly 39 years of remarkable missionary service in Nigeria. Her last words were, “Do not weep, do not weep; the Lord is taking me home.”
Robert J. Morgan, Nelson’s Annual Preacher’s Sourcebook, 2002 Edition (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2001), 10.

On This Day…

On January 6, 1519, Martin Luther met with Karl von Miltitz, representing Pope Leo X, in an effort to prevent a church schism. Miltitz left the meeting thinking he had accomplished his purpose, but Luther would not be silenced.

On Sunday, January 6, 1850, the “Prince of Preachers,” Charles Haddon Spurgeon, was converted. A snowstorm forced 15–year-old Charles to duck into a Primitive Methodist Church. Only a few people were there, and not even the preacher showed up. A thin-looking man finally stood and read Isaiah 45:22. Spying Charles in the back, he pointed his finger, crying, “Look, young man! Look! Look to Christ!” Charles did look and was saved.

Robert J. Morgan, Nelson’s Annual Preacher’s Sourcebook, 2002 Edition (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2001), 4.

On This Day…

On July 14, 1785, newly converted William Carey joined the Baptist church.

 

Robert J. Morgan, Nelson’s Annual Preacher’s Sourcebook, 2002 Edition. (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2001), 204.