John was a British Baptist Nonconformist minister and politician who became famous as the advocate of passive resistance to the Education Act of 1902. In 1858 he was called to the Praed Street chapel in Paddington, London. Whilst there he went to the university of London gaining 4 degrees (BA, BS, MA and BL 1859-66) At the Praed Street chapel he gradually obtained a large following and in 1877 Westbourne Park was opened. He became a preacher , writer, propagandist and an ardent Liberal politician, he became a power in the Nonconformist body He held a number of important Nonconformist roles 1879 president of the London Baptist Association 1888 & 1899 president of the Baptist 1898 president of the National Council of Evangelical Churches 1899 became a prominent campaigner against the Boer War president of the Stop the War Committee. 1902 Education Act. John was the chief leader of the passive resistant movement. 1906 January - had a share in the defeat of the Unionist Government Efforts now directed to getting a new act which should be nondenominational. In 1883 rewarded an honorary DD by Bates College, USA, and then known as Dr Clifford

Saint Clare was an Italian saint and one of the first followers of St. Francis of Assisi. He inspired her to form the Order of Poor Ladies - a monastic religious order for women in the Franciscan tradition. Aged 12 her parents wanted her to marry a young wealthy man. She protested and sought the help of Francis. On 20th March 1212 she had her hair cut short and had her rich gown replaced by a plain robe. Cutting her hair was a symbolic act showing she was no longer bound by the laws of man or society but rather she followed the will of God, She was then placed with Benedictine nuns in San Paula, near Bastia. Her parents and Monaldo- Clare’s uncle and head of the family, did not accept willingly what had happened. Catarina, her sister, who changed her name to Agnes, joined her. - this caused a tremendous uproar. They finally relented when Clare threw aside her veil to reveal her cropped hair that they left her in peace. ( For more detail read* Life in the convent*) The sisters remained with the Benedictines until a small dwelling was built next to the church of San Damiano. Their lives consisted of manual labour and prayer. The nuns were barefoot, slept on the ground, ate no meat and observed almost complete silence.town of Assisi were attacked For a short time the order was directed by Francis. In 1216 Clare reluctantly accepted the role of abbess at San Damiano. Clare was a shy person and did not like giving orders and referred to herself as a mother, handmaid or servant rather than an abbess, She took care of Francis during his final illness (he died in1226). 1240/1 the monastery at San Damiano and the town of Assisi attacked and successfully defended as Clare prayed to Christ, present in the Blessed Sacrament. Clare wrote the rules for Rule of Life which meant they followed a rule of strict poverty. This was the first set of monastic guidelines written by a woman. In her later years she had a long period of poor health. She died on11th August 1253 at the age of 59, one day having her Rule approved by Pope Innocent 1V. Her last words, to herself, are reported to be Go forth in peace, for you have followed the good road. Go forth without fear, for He who created you has made you holy, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother. Blessed be You, O God, for having created me. After her death the order was renamed the Order of Saint Clare. (Read Legacy) Source Wikipedia

Martin was an eminent second generation German, Evangelical Lutheran, Christian theologian, and a protestant reformer, churchman and confessor. He studied under Martin Luther at the University of Wittenberg , Germany. After Luther death (1546) he transfered to the University of Konigsberg (1547-8). A plague caused him to move swiftly to Saafeld. Returned to Konigsberg (1550) to be employed by Albert, Duke of Prussia as the the court librarian.He now applied himself to theological studies with unrestricted access to what was considered one of the finest libraries in Europe. 1553 returned to Wittenberg where he joined the University faculty.in 1554. 1554 ordained and became co-adjutor of Joachim Morlin. 1567 took over as ecclesiastical superintendent when Morlin resigned. 1575/6 helped establish University of Helmstedt. 1577 Formula of Concord - one of the primary authors 1580 Book of Concord:Confessions of the Evangegelical Lutheran Church instrumental in publication ? Examination of the Council of Trent and On the Two natures of Christ 1586 held post for 19 years, until he died. His works demonstrate his ability as a biblical, doctrinal and historical theologian in the orthodox Lutheran tradition. Martin died in Braunschweig aged 65. In the Evangelical Lutheran tradition he is known as Alter Martinus - the Second Martin. Source Wikipedia

Robert was an English philanthropist and Anglican layman. He was a pioneer of the Sunday School movement although he did not start the first Sunday School. The original schedule for schools -as written by Robert was The children were to come after ten in the morning, and stay till twelve; they were then to go home and return at one; and after reading a lesson, they were to be conducted to church. After church, they were to be employed repeating the catechism till after five, and then dismissed with an injunction to go home without making a noise. He inherited a publishing business from his father and in 1757 he became proprietor of the Gloucester Journal. In 1758 he moved the business to Robert Raikes’ House. He was interested in prison reform, specifically with the conditions in Gloucester gaol and saw that vice would be better prevented than cured. He saw schooling as the best intervention. The movement began in July 1780 in the home of Mrs Meredith and with a school for boys in the slums. The best available time was Sunday- the boys were working 6 days a week in the factories. The teachers were lay people. The text book was the Bible. Later girls also attended. He used his newspaper to publicise the schools and bore most of the cost himself in the early years. Despite controversy and disputes, in the early years, Sunday Schools -some called the schools* Raikes’Ragged School* grew at a phenomenal rate in Great Britain. 1788 - 300,000 children 1831 - `.1,250,000 1910 - 5,500,000 These schools preceded the first state funding schools for the general public. They are seen as the forerunners of the currwnt English school system The money of phianthropist Robert Raikes was not wasted.

Thomas was a Scottish minister, professor of theology, political economist, and a leader of both the Free Church of Scotland and the Church of England. He has been called* Scotland’s greatest 19th century churchman*. Aged 11 he attended the University of St. Andrews studying mathematics. January 1799 he was licensed as a preacher. May, 1803, following further courses of lectures, he was ordained as minister of Kilmany and acted as assistant to the professor of mathematics at St. Andrews. His mathematics lectures roused enthusiasm but were discontinued by the authorities.so he opened mathematical classes of his own which attracted many students. Also gave lectures on Chemistry. and administered his parish. 1805 unsuccessful in application for professorship in mathematics at University of Edinburgh. 1815 became minister of the Tron church in Glasgow. His reputation as preacher in Glasgow spread through out the UK. Read paragraph on Parochial Work. 1823 he accepted the chair of moral philosophy at the University of St. Andrews. 1828 he was transferred to the chair of Theology at the University of Edinburgh. 1834 he became leader and chairman of the evangelical section of the Scottish Church in the General Assembly which stood for ‘non-intrusionism’ ( definition - no minister should be intruded into any parish contrary to the will of the congregation) Also elected fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. 1835-41 he served as Vice-president f the Royal Society of Edinburgh. 1840 unsuccessfully applied for chair of Divinity at the University of Glasgow. Thomas made a number of appeals as leader and by 1841 , 7 years later when he resigned as convener, £300, 000 had been contributed and 220 new churches built. 1844 he announced a church extension campaign for new building. 1846 became first principal of the Divinity Hall of the Free Church of Scotland. On Friday,28th May 1847 he returned to his house at Church Hill. On the Saturday he prepared a report and continued in his usual health and spirits and retired to rest. He died on the Sunday. He was discovered lying dead in bed. His academic years resulted in a prolific literature of various kinds: his writings filled more than 30 volumes. The Thomas Chalmers Centre in Kirkliston is named after him. Thomas Chalmers has been correctly called Scotland’s greatest nineteenth century churchman. He was also an outstanding mathematician. Source Wikipedia

William was an English official on board the Mayflower in 1620 He was probably born in Scrooby, Nottinghamshire. He studied briefly at Peterhouse, Cambridge before entering the service of William Davison , ambassador to the Netherlands, in1584. He became a Puritan before moving illegally from England to Holland - the departure was a complex matter. They were arrested in 1607 but in 1608 they were successful leaving from the Humber estuary. For the first year they lived in Amsterdam, Holland. After controversy they moved to Leiden. He was first an assistant and later an elder to Pastor John Robinson. He printed and published Puritan religious books and taught English to university students. When the Speedwell sailed to England he was the highest ranked layman of the congregation and was their designated elder for the Plymouth colony. He was also the only pilgrim with political and diplomatic experience. The Mayflower departed Plymouth in England in September 1620. The 100 foot vessel carried 102 passengers and a crew 30/40 in cramped conditions. During the voyage the ship was buffeted by strong winds. After being blown off course by gales it landed first at Cape Cod. It continued on to an area near present day Plymouth, Massachsetts and landed on 21st December 1620. Within months half the passengers had died due to the cold, harsh New England winter. William served as the senior elder and religious leader of the colony until 1629 when pastor Ralph Smith arrived. He continued to preach irregularly until his death on 10th April 1644. 4 of the outer islands now bear his name - Great, Little, Middle and Outer Brewster. Source Wikipedia

William was a Christian minister serving a congregation in Salford, England. In 1800 he established a new congregation in Salford and built the chapel, Christ Church, at his own expense .He founded the Bible Christian Church in 1809. Followers were known as Cowherdites. He was one of the philosophical forerunners of the vegetarian Society founded in 1847. His early ideas and insights into the abstinence from eating meat, provided the basis for early ideas about vegetarianism. On 18th of January 1809 he asked his congregation, during his sermon, to refrain from eating meat. He is credited with being the main figure advocating the theory of vegetarianism. One of the distinct feature of the Bible Christians was a belief in a meat-free ‘vegetable diet’, known today as ovo-lacto vegetarianism, as a form of temperance.

Philip was born in London and became a Congregationalist minister, educator, author and hymn writer. He was the last of Daniek Doddridge’s (died 1715) 20 children. His mother died when he was only 8; his father died 4 years later. Downes became his guardian who squandered Philip’s inheritance. Samuel Clarke of St. Albans took him on and treated him like a son and encouraged his call to the ministry. They remained lifelong friends. ( Years later, he led Samuel’s funeral and gave this tribute To him under God I owe even myself and all my opportunities of public usefulness in the church.) His mother, before he could read, taught him th history of the Bible from chimney tiles on of their sitting room. In his youth he was educated first by a tutor then boarded at a private school in London. In 1712 he attended Kingston-upon -Thames grammar school With independent religious leanings in 1719 he chose, with Samuel’s support to enter the Dissenting academy at Kibworth in Leicestershire. In 1723 he was chosen by a general meeting of Nonconformist ministers to conduct the academy (1723-1751). He initiated a Youth’s Scheme In 1729 he was invited to be the pastor of an independent congregation in Northampton. His sermons were mainly practical in character. In the 1730s and 1740s he continued his academic and pastoral work and developed close relations with numerous early revivalists and independents, through extensive visits and correspondence. This enabled him to establish and maintain a circle of influential independent religious thinkers and writers. He was both an author and hymnist. The Rise and progress of Religion in the Soul was translated into 7 languages. It is said that this work best illustrates his religious genius. Charles Spurgeon called it *that holy book * (See Works) He wrote over 400 hymns. Most of them were written as summaries of his sermons and to help his congregation express their response to the truths they were being taught. * O God of Bethel, by whose hand * continues to be used across the English speaking world. In 1736 both Aberdeen universities gave him a Doctor of Divinity degree. Phillip’s health had never been good and it finally broke down in 1751. He had sailed to Lisbon in September and he died of tuberculosis on 26th October. He was buried in the British Cemetery in Lisbon, where his grave and tomb may still be seen. Philip worked towards a united Nonconformist body that would have a wide appeal, retaining highly cultured elements without alienating those less educated. By Grace he succeeded in his mission. Source Wikipedia

I have put together 10 New Testament profiles which I hope should prove of use. I have included all/many of the biblical references for all of them. Mary and Joseph the parents of Jesus, and Zechariah and John the Baptist are related. Zechariah's wife, Elizabeth, is a cousin of Mary and John the Baptist is their son. I have included a statement explaining what happened normally to illegitimate babies in Israel 2000 years ago. Andrew, Simon Peter and Matthew are three of the disciples of Jesus. Mary Magdalene, according to the gospels, only had seven demons removed by Jesus. There is actually nothing to say what she did before she became a follower of Jesus. Lazarus was raised from the dead and Stephen was the first Christian martyr.

I have put together some sheets about St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. There is a cover followed by two information sheets and two large font sheets detailing basic data. There are two ‘gap’ pieces of work (differentiated), a crossword which requires a picture answer, a word search, sheets about words found in Patrick, pictorial information how St. Patrick’s flag became part of the Union Jack, plus ideas for a diary and a ‘blank’ for the ‘best’ copy diary. David Woodroffe, a professional illustrator, created the art work I have used.

Saint Matthew or Levi was one of the twelve original disciples of Jesus. According to the Gospels Matthew was a 1st century Galilean. He is referred to as being a publican or tax collector in Capernaum before becoming one of the twelve apostles. He would have witnessed first hand Jesus carrying out his miracles and speaking parables. He would have witnessed much of Jesus’ last three years of his ministry including the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension. His ministry after Christ’s resurrection is vague. Christian fathers such as Irenaeus and Clement of Alexandria claim that Matthew preached th gospel to the Jewish community in Judea before going to other countries. The Catholic and Orthodox Churches each hold the tradition that he died a marytr. Did Matthew write the Saint Matthew’s gospel ? The author is not named within the text. Papias of Hierapolis (c60-163 AD) is cited by church historian Eusebius (260-340 AD as saying *Matthew collected the oracles, in the Hebrew language and each interpreted them as best he could. Sources used wlkipedia and The Church’s Year by Charles Alexander.

Joseph Prince is a televangelist, senior pastor and one of the founders (1983) of New Creation Church based in Singapore, plus being an author. Joseph is the son of a Sikh priest and Chinese mother. He was born on the 15th May 1953.His birth name was Xenonamandar Jegahusiee Singh. He adopted the name of Joseph Prince while serving as an IT consultant just before he was appointed senior pastor in 1990. He spent his primary school years in Perak, Malaysia. He studied at Commonwealth Secondary School and completed his ‘A’ levels at Our lady of Lourdes, a private school. Joseph prior to 1997 had preached at churches across the world - Europe, Canada and USA and Australia. In 1997, while on holiday in the Swiss Alps with his wife, Wendy, God spoke to him. He was told he had not been preaching grace. God gave him a mandate to preach grace- pure and unadulterated *If you don’t preach pure, unadulterated grace, people’s lives will never be gloriously blessed and gloriously transformed. Desiring to see his congregation liberated, empowered and blessed by the Lord, Joseph fully embraced the mandate and has not looked back. The Singapore church numbers in 1997 were 2,000. Today there are 30,000 members. Since 1997 he has spoken in Israel, Norway, Germany, Holland, the UK. the USA, Canada, Australia and Asia. Impacting on both believers and church leaders with practical and revelatory preaching that unveils to the person the grace of Jesus Christ In 2014 Grace Revolution Church was birthed in Dallas. Texas. There is now a vibrant community of grace believers living there. In 2017 the Joseph Prince Ministry launched Decibel - an online channel and digital magazine with bite sized videos, articles and other inspiring contents to reach young people with the Gospel. May it loudly ring. Over the last 13 years (2007-20) he has written Christian books. ( See publications) Reading the paragraph - Compensation - it seems he is well paid… His church - New Creation Church regard his net worth as ‘personal in nature’. Grace is so important . It is an anagram of Great Riches at Christ’s Expense. The world is so much richer for Joseph Prince following God’s mandate to preach pure, unadulterated grace. Sources used Joseph prince Ministries Wikipedia

captain Thomas Coram (c.1668-1751 was a philanthropist who created the London Foundling Hospital in Lamb’s Conduit Fields, Bloomsbury, to look after abandoned children. It is said to be the world’s first incorporated charity. Thomas Coram, while living in Rotherhithe , regularly travelled into London. He was frequently shocked by the sight of infants exposed in the streets, often in a dying . He agitated for the foundation of a foundling hospital. This institution was to be a children’s home for children and orphans who could not be properly cared for. He laboured for 17 years. He induced many ladies of rank to sign a memorial. King George 11, in 1739, finally signed a charter for the Foundling Hospital and considerable sums were subscribed. 20th November 1739 saw the first meeting of the guardians at Somerset House. Later a vote of thanks was given to Coram who requested thanks should also be given to the interested ladies. William Hogarth, a personal friend of Thomas, showed great interest in the undertaking. In May 1740 he presented his portrait of Coram to the hospital. He introduced a portrait of Coram into an engraved power of attorney for receiving subscriptions. He presented a picture of Moses with Pharaoh’s daughter. Finally he gave 157 tickets in the lottery for the ‘March to Finchley’ -one of the 157 tickets won the prize. Some houses were taken and the first children were admitted in 1741. A piece of land was bought for £7,000 in Bloomsbury. Lord Salisbury, the owner insisted that the whole of his ground as far as Gray’s inn lane should be taken. He also subscribed £500. Coram continued to invest in the hospital. Up until 1742 he continued to be elected to the General Committee. But at the May Day meeting in 1742 he did not receive enough votes. As a result he no longer had any say in the management of the hospital. Why? No clear reason is obvious but he is said to have spread defamatory rumours about 2 of the governors or he expressed criticism towards how the hospital was run. 16th September 1742 the foundation stone for the hospital was laid. October 1745 the west wing was finished. Children moved into the new building. Hogarth was among the first governors of the Foundling hospital. Handle gave performances at the hospital in 1749 and 1750. ( See ‘Legacy’) . Today the Foundling Hospital continues as the children’s charity Coram, with a mission to improve the lives of the UK’s most vulnerable children and young people. ( See ‘Coram’ for more info) In 2000Coram Boy - a children’s book about the hospital, by Jamila Gavin was published. Now a play. William Coram died on 29th March 1751, aged 81. He was buried in the chapel of the Foundling Hospital. A statue and inscription was erected in front of the building 100 years later. In 1935 the building was demolished. Today his exhumed remains are in the chapel of Ashlyns School.

Alfred the Great was the king of th e West Saxons from 871-886 and king of the Anglo-Saxons c.886-899. He is venerated as a saint by some Christian traditions. The Anglican community venerate him as a Christian hero with a feast day or commemoration on 26th October. He is often depicted in stained glass windows in C of E parish churches. Alfred was the youngest son of King AEthelwulf. Three of his brothers AEthelbald. AEtheberht and AEthelred, reigned in turn before him. After ascending the throne he spent several years fighting Viking invasions. In 878/9 he had a decisive victory at the Battle of Edington. (He did not win all the battles) With the Vikings he created Danelaw in the North of England. He saw the Viking leader. Guthrum converted to Christianity. He became the dominant ruler in England Alfred had a great love of the church. As a child he had made the difficult journey to Rome to be blessed by the Pope. As king he now turned to rebuilding of civilisation and religion among his people. The Danes had destroyed nearly all th churches and schools in the land. He restored communications with Rome and invited scholars and monks from the Europe and Ireland to come and help in the revival of learning in England. He encouraged the building of churches, monasteries and schools. Alfred studied and translated into Anglo-Saxon the Psalms. He also translated from Latin into Old English certain works that were regarded at the time as providing models of ideal Christian kingship and ‘most necessary for all men to know.’ From his followers he won the title ‘Protector of the Poor’. Bishop Asser of Wales was set the task of writing the king’s biography - he emphasised Alfred’s positive aspects. He presented Alfred as the embodiment of the ideal, but practical, Christian ruler. By the time of the Reformation Alfred was seen as a pious Christian who promoted the use of English rather then the Latin He was given the epithet as ‘the Great’ by writers in the 16th century not by his contemporaries. He reigned for 30 years. He died aged just 50.King Alfred was never canonised (although HenryV1 asked Pope EugeneIV in 1441 to canonise him). History Today published an article The Most Perfect Man in History- I have enclosed most of the article. I desire to live worthily as long as I lived, and to leave after my life, to the men who should come after me, the memory of me in good works Alfred’s translation of passage from* Consolation of Philosophy* by Boethius Source used Wikipedia

Epiphany means ‘revelation’, ‘manifestation’ or ‘showing forth’ - it was the revealing of Jesus to those who were not Jewish - the magi, 3 kings, or 3 wise men were Gentiles. January 6th is the feast day January 6th originally was used to celebrate the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. When Jesus received the Holy Ghost it was manifested to the people. The 3 kings are part of the Nativity plays, along with the shepherds, which are part of the birth story of Jesus. Tradition suggests that they arrived days following Halley’s Comet, maybe weeks after, the birth of the baby Jesus. Tradition has named them as Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar and they brought gifts of gold (kingship), frankincense (godship0 and myrrh (for burial0. In orthodox churches Epiphany is also known as The Feast of the Holy Theophany and is important as Christmas. Special cakes are eaten in Spain, France and Mexico. This is also the time that some children from Spain and Italy receive their Christmas presents from the 3 Magic Kings. (Read Epiphany, the Feast of The Three Kings) ( Winter swimming is even mentioned!!) January 6th is also Twelfth Night when the Christmas decorations normally are taken down. Sources used Wikipedia Church Dates for Children by Tony Batchelor

Lent looks at the 40 days leading up to Easter. We think of Jesus spending 40 days fasting in the wilderness before he began his earthly ministry. The word ‘lent’ is the shortened form of the Old English word ‘lencten’ which means spring season. It starts on Ash Wednesday. The day before Ash Wednesday is Shrove Tuesday which is celebrated as Pancake day or Mardi Gras. On this day, the day before fasting begins, the rich, fatty food are eaten up - the last day of ‘fat eating’ or ‘gorging’, in readiness to start fasting. Pancakes are tossed then eaten. On Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, the palm crosses distributed the previous year at the Palm service, are burnt and the ashes places on people’s foreheads during the service. Lent is a penitential season and many people fast - they cut out/cut down or abstain from eating. It could also include abstaining from drinking alcohol or smoking. it could include praying more, reading more Bible studies instead of watching a favourite television programmes. (Read ‘Fasting and abstinence’) I have included list of other 40 days mentioned in the Bible. Source Wikipedia See also Pancake day & Shrove Tuesday Easter

Thomas was born around 1495 in Norwich. He became a protestant martyr. He is believed to be the person who converted Hugh Latimer to the doctrines of the Reformers- he also died a martyr. Around 1550 , aged only 15, he entered Trinity Hall, Cambridge University where he studied law. Conversion He was ‘struck’ by these words from 1 Timothy ch1 v15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came onto the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. ‘Immediately I felt a marvellous comfort and quietness, in so much that my bruised bones lept for joy.’ Scripture became his chief study and In 1519 he took holy orders. In 1525 he obtained a license to preach throughout the diocese of Ely. In 1527 he was arrested for heresy. He recanted and was released but in 1531 he was arrested again for spreading ideas critical of the hierarchical structure of the church and the cult of the saints, For this he was burnt at Lollards Pit, in Norwich,on 19 August 1531. Afterwards it was alleged that his execution had been carried out without the proper authorisation by the state. THe result was Bishop Nix in 1534 was condemned on this charge and had his property confiscated. ( Thomas was nicknamed Little Bilney because of his short stature.) Source Wikipedia

Thomas Bray in 1698 founded the UK based Christian Charity *Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge ( SPCK) and in 1701 the separate Society for the Propagation of the Gospel(SPG). After graduation and ordination he* became a curate at Bridgnorth and then chaplain for Sir. Thomas Price at Lea Marstone. Thomas’s library drew the attention of John Kettlewell, the vicar at Coleshill, who pointed out to him that the poverty of country parsons kept then from owning and reading theological books, which could lead to ignorance and hopelessness and affect their ministry. As a result Thomas wrote and published the first volume of* Catechetical Lectures* The book sold well and drew the attention of Henry Compton, the Bishop of London, who had been impressed by his diligence and library ideas. Thomas as a result was sent to the colony of Maryland, USA to represent him. Maryland wanted an experienced, unexceptionable priest to supervise them. Thomas knew that the clergy willing to accept positions overseas were often among the poorest and unable to bring or obtain religious books, so he conditioned his acceptance upon having funds to supply the parishes with books. In 1699 he sailed to Maryland having started his library work in seaport libraries at Gravesend, Deal and Plymouth on his outward journey. He envisioned a library for each parish in the USA. During his lifetime 39 were established in the Colonies, over 80 were established in England and Wales. His efforts would eventually lead in the founding of nearly 100 libraries in the USA and over 200 in England. In 1706 he became rector of St.Botolph’s, Aldgate where he spent the final decades of his life serving that parish and engaging in other philanthropic and literary activities. *To obtain books for these libraries, requests are to made to the learned author now living, yo give copies of their books, and to others, especially merchants to the foreign plantations, to give money, of all of which there shall be a full amount published, * Steiner 1896 pp59-75 Source Wikipedia

Gideon was an American Presbyterian clergyman, evangelist, educator and missionary to the Cherokee and Creek nations He was born of Scots-Irish descent in Augusta County, Virginia. He was orphaned at the age of 11 and moved to live with relatives in Tennessee in 1787. As a youth he studied at Martin Academy in Washington County, Tennessee. He worked at a sawmill and as a surveyor to obtain an education . In 1792 he received his preacher’s license and 2 years later he was ordained by the Abingdon Presbytery of Virginia. In the 1790s he began his ministerial career as a pastor by founding the New Providence Church in Maryville.For the next 20 years he worked there and was known as a powerful and evangelizing public speaker.came In the early 19th century he raised funds to establish schools for Cherokee children. He became a cultural missionary to the Cherokees (1803-9). and founded 2 schools.Together the schools had an enrollment of about 100 students- mostly bicultural Cherokee-American boys. All his lessons were in English with material on culture and practices of Anglo-American society. (Unfortunately both schools were closed when his reputation was severely damaged due to a scandal related to alcohol.) He moved to Middle Tennessee where he served as an itinerant preacher and headed Harpeth Academy (1811-13). He founded 5 congregations in the area. Over the next 15 years he established new congregations and churches in Tennessee and Kentucky and was very successful as a fund raiser. Blackburn Seminary, in Carlinville, was named after him, in recognition of his life’s labours, in 1859. He was also active with the Kentucky Temperance Society, Gideon died just 4 days short of his 66th birthday. Source Wikipedia

Christopher was born Basil Butler in Reading, Berkshire. He was a convert from the C of E to the Roman Catholic Church, a bishop, scholar and a Benedictine monk. He became the 7th Abbot bishop of Downside Abbey (1946-66), Abbot President of the English Benedictine Congregation and an auxiliary bishop of Westminster (1966). It was in his capacity as Abbot President (1961-66) of the English Benedictine Congregation and as an outstanding scripture scholar, that Christopher was called to Rome to participate in Vatican 11 (1962-65). He was one of maybe 24 (men who made the Council’ contributing, often in fluent Latin, to many of council’s documents. Christopher was a prolific writer. a bibliography of his books, articles and reviews running to some 337 titles. He was a popular guest on BBC’s radio programmes. Brief information included about Vatican11 Source Wikipedia