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JANUARY

                               
10, 381 --Turkey. The praetorian prefect Eutropius is directed by Gregory Nazianzen to expel the anti-Trinitarian heretics from all towns and cities. Sapor is sent to the East to expel the Arian bishops.

10, 1602 --Germany. Daniel Toussain dies at Heidelberg having been persecuted, as was his father, Pierre.
     In 1568, Daniel was forced to flee Orleans, France, with other Protestants. He had been a teacher of Hebrew there, and was an ordained minister of the local Reformed Church. He was soon discovered, however, and was imprisoned for two weeks. He then fled with his family to Montargis where he was protected by the duchess of Ferrara until the French king demanded the expulsion of all Huguenots. He therefore sought refuge in Sancerre and after one year he returned to Montbeliard. It was here that he was charged with teaching Calvinistic and Zwinglian heresies. His reply was an affirmation of his Lutheranism.
     In 1571 he was recalled to Orleans and conducted services there in Isle Castle, only a few miles away. At the news of the Massacre on St. Bartholomew’s Day, he fled barely in time to escape the total massacre and pillage of Isle. He was concealed by a Roman Catholic nobleman at Montargis and later by the duchess in a tower of her castle.
     In November 1572, he returned with his father to Montbeliard, but again Lutheran intolerance drove him out.
     In March the following year he was appointed chaplain to the Count Palatine Frederick III at Heidelberg, but in 1576, the Calvinistic Frederick was succeeded by his son, Louis VI, a Lutheran. Again the Reformed were driven into exile. They found a Calvinistic patron in John Casimir, brother of the count, at Neustadt. Here Mr. Toussain became inspector of churches and also helped to found an academy in which he served as teacher.
      In 1583, Louis VI died and John Casimir became regent. He called Mr. Toussain into his council, and expelled the Lutherans from Heidelberg. Mr. Toussain later became professor of theology and in 1584 the rector.

10, 1645 --England. Archbishop William Laud has performed excellent service in behalf of King Charles I, but he has followed a policy of persecuting the Puritans, which has brought about tremendous opposition. Francis Bacon has said religion is the bond of human society, and Mr. Laud has argued if unity were lost in the church there can be no unity in the state. He has therefore sought to deprive the Puritans both of freedom of the press and freedom of speech-- even in their own church buildings. He has considered criticism of the monarchy to be blasphemy. Queen Elizabeth was of the same conviction and frequently spoke of “turning the churches.” The Puritans, however, in the time of Archbishop Laud, have resented the measures taken by the Royalty observing that the Arminians have suffered no restrictions of any sort. He has proven, however, to be a fierce persecutor of them. He has insisted on all bowing at the name of “Jesus”, and has earnestly contended for the doctrine of Apostolic Succession.
Today, Mr. Laud is beheaded.

10, 1863 --New York. Lyman Beecher dies. He was a student of Timothy Dwight while at Yale. His seven sons have become preachers while his daughters are chiefly known for literary and philanthropic work, best known of his three daughters being Harriet Beecher Stowe.


 

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