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I am a retired teacher who wrote 7 photocopiable books for Teachers and one book for children Union Jack Colouring Book. The 7books covered Geography, History (Medieval/ Tudor/ Stuart), Travel and Transport, Myself and Events (this included diaries), Race Against Time Stories (SATS based), Church Dates for Children plus Nature and Seasons (including Sport). These 7 books have been mainly broken into a number of segments. Challenging the Physical Elements, my Geography book, is complete.

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I am a retired teacher who wrote 7 photocopiable books for Teachers and one book for children Union Jack Colouring Book. The 7books covered Geography, History (Medieval/ Tudor/ Stuart), Travel and Transport, Myself and Events (this included diaries), Race Against Time Stories (SATS based), Church Dates for Children plus Nature and Seasons (including Sport). These 7 books have been mainly broken into a number of segments. Challenging the Physical Elements, my Geography book, is complete.
Donald Barnhouse  (1895-1960)
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Donald Barnhouse (1895-1960)

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Donald Grey Barnhouse was a USA Christian preacher, pastor, theologian, radio pioneer and author. He was born in Watsonville, California, USA. After graduating high school he went to the Biola Institute in 1912. He studied at the University of Chicago and Princeton Theological Seminary. He enlisted in the army in 1917 before Completing his studies at Princeton. Ordained in April 1918. He was pastor at Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from 1927 until his death in 1960, a total of over 30 years. .C. Everett Koop, a former US Surgeon General, a regular at the church for 20 years said His authoritive voice held my attention, his physical appearance was arresting, and his preaching was of the highest intellectual order…I always marvelled at the simplicity of the faith of this very intelligent and learned man He was a pioneer in preaching on the radio. The Bible Study Hour was the name of the programme. The programme still continues today on the air as Dr. Barnhouse & the Bible. From 1931- 1950 he published Revelation - which contained his sermons etc… In 1950 he founded Eternity a monthly magazine In 1949 he ran a weekly in depth study on Romans which he continued until his death in 1960 of a large malignant brain tumour. Eternity did a memorial issue tribute to its founder for March 1961 Source wikipedia
Frederic William Farrar (1831-1903)
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Frederic William Farrar (1831-1903)

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Frederic was C. of E. clergyman, school teacher and author. He was born in Bombay, India. He was educated at King William’s college on the Isle of Man, King’s College London and Trinity College Cambridge. In 1856 he accepted an assistant mastership at Harrow school. He was archdeacon of Westminster (1883-94) and Dean of Canterbury Cathedral (1895-03). He spent most of his career associated with Westminster Abbey. He was canon there, then rector of St. Margaret’s -the church next door, and then arch deacon of the Abbey. He was an eloquent preacher. Frederic was a classic scholar and comparative philologist - a historical linguist who applied Charles Darwin’s ideas of branching descent to the relationship between languages. It was on the recommendation of Darwin that he was nominated and elected to the Royal Society in 1866. When Darwin died in 1882 Frederic helped get the church’s permission for him to be buried in Westminster Abbey. He was one of 10 pallbearers at the funeral and preached the sermon. Frederic was also an author. he wrote a number of religious books plus some fiction. religious books included * Life of Christ Life of St. Paul* fiction Eric or Little by Little was a school story (See Works) He married Lucy Mary Cardew in 1860. They had 10 children, five of each. Maud aged 16 married Henry Montgomery - they gave birth to WW11 hero ’ Monty’ Field Marshall Montgomery. Frederic was Monty’s grandfather.
George Fox (1624-1691) and the Quakers
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George Fox (1624-1691) and the Quakers

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George was born and raised in Fenny Drayton, Leicestershire. At the age of 11 he remembered experiencing the ‘pureness’ of Divine presence. At the age of 12 he was apprenticed to a local tradesman - a cobbler, then as a partner with a wool and cattle dealer. His integrity brought him commercial success but there was a spiritual rage furiously within. In 1643 he left home to seek the truth. By 1647 he was already a discerning critic of his culture. He turned to Bible reading and prayer. he began to talk to everyone about his ideas. In 1649 he was imprisoned for the first time. At his second trial in Derby (1650/1) a judge used the word ‘quaker’ in a sarcastic manner- according to George that’s whenit was first used. 1652 he climbed Pendle Hill in Lancashire where he had a vision of a’ great people to be gathered together’ waiting for him The beginning of the Society of Friends (Quakers) is dated soon afterwards. George preached on Firbank Fell,near Sedbergh, in Cumbria. Some days later he was at Swarthmoor Hall, home of Judge Fell, Margaret Fell and family. Swarthmoor was to become a vital hub for the Society in Margaret’s capable hands. Many of the new Friends were seekers from various denominations who were disillusioned with state religion. They responded eagerly to his prophetic proclamation of a new Day of the Lord. George and other Friends travelled all over the country. George went to Cornwall, Wales and Scotland. Judge Fell did a lot to protect them until he died in 1658. Charles11 came to throne in 1660. George was imprisoned for 2 years in 1664/6. He began a journal which he continued to write until his death. On October 27th 1669 he married Margaret. There were now had Friends in the Caribbean. In 1671 they set sail for Barbados arriving in October. The Barbadian economy was slave based; some Friends were slave owners. George suggested freedom after 30 years service 1677 they went to to Holland and Germany. In the 1680s he spent a great deal of time lobbying Parliament against the persecution of Quakers. George lived to see the fruits of his labour when the Declaration of Indulgence followed by The Toleration Act of 1689 granted limited freedom to Quakers. The movement gradually took shape as a denomination. Several meeting houses were built before he died in London, on 23rd January 1691. George believed faithful witness to the Kingdom by word and deed would speed the gathering of the world’s peoples to Christ. Sources used Quakers in the World Great Leaders of the Christian Faith Woodbridge contribution by Arthur O. Roberts wikipedia
Blaise Pascal (1623-1662)
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Blaise Pascal (1623-1662)

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Blaise Pascal is held in high esteem in France. The Biblotheque nationale in Paris guards none of its manuscripts more jealously than those of Blaise. Though he died before he was 40, and suffered continually from ill health, he won fame in the 17th century that is still increasing today. At the age of just 16 he began contributing to geometry, physics, applied mechanics and mathematical theory that were of great importance. By some he is regarded as the ‘father’ of computers! Blaise became a devout and committed Christian. (Read Conversion 1 and 2). He was always aware of his sinful nature and knew he needed the grace of the Jesus. He wrote * L*es Provinciales** which Voltaire described as the work of genius. 18 essays regarded as brilliant irony and satire He planned to write an* Apology of the Christian Religion*. He had prepared all the notes- there were nearly 1,000 fragmentary writings, but he died. It was published as* Pensees . Apparently it is such high quality that it can be placed alongside such great works as Augustine’s Confessions. In his youth he proved to be a a genius in scientist. As a born again Christian Blaise , who loved the truth above all else, looked beyond truth to the source of truth, even to God himself, the source of wisdom and truth. Sources used Great Leaders of the Christian Faith editor Woodbridge contribution from Peter Toon Christianity Today
Elizabeth Fry (1780- 1845)   Prison Reformer
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Elizabeth Fry (1780- 1845) Prison Reformer

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Elizabeth Fry was a preacher and reformer. Her maiden name was Elizabeth Gurney and she was born in Norwich into a wealthy Quaker family. She became a member of Plain Friends - a strict religious group who dressed modestly and refrained from singing and dancing. William Savery inspired her to devote her life to helping the needy. Elizabeth Gurney met Joseph Fry in 1799 and married him in 1800. They went to live in his family home in Plashed - now East Ham. In 1811 Elizabeth was acknowledged as a Quaker minister. It was an unpaid post among Friends that nevertheless frequently entailed travelling to serve other meetings. her ministry, which was greatly appreciated on account of her musical voice. She delighted to preach on the theme of the availability of the grace of God for all. When Elizabeth visited Newgate prison in 1813 she found women and children crammed 30 to a cell. There they cooked, washed and slept. To help them she supplied clothes, established a school, chapel and matron. In 1817 Elizabeth, along with 11 other Quakers, established the Association for the Improvement of the Female Prisoners in Newgate. Her brother in law, MP Thomas Fowell-Buxton, raised the issue in Parliament… Elizabeth gave evidence to the Commons committee on prisons. She advocated treating prisoners like human beings. Some MPs saw her as a dangerous radical but the new Home Secretary, Sir Robert peel, was supportive. The 1823 Goals Act was the first step. In a book published in1827 she set down many of her conclusions on penal policy, stating foe example her opposition to capital punishment. Elizabeth became recognised as a well-known , respected figure, consulted by many important men for her professional opinion. In 1824 she founded the Brighton District Visiting Society. In 1840 she created a nursing school at Guy’s hospital. She did not win all the battles. She declared in 1948 the new Pentonville prison, with its dark cells, *should never exist in a Christian and civilized country. * Elizabeth Fry created a lasting improvements for Britain and changed the status of women in society. I found some Bite Size Key stage I pictures which might prove useful for primary work. Sources *Great Leaders of the Christian Church * edited by John D. Woodbridge contribution from David W. Bebbington wikipedia The great British Community BBc Bitesize
Joseph Parker   (1830-1902)
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Joseph Parker (1830-1902)

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Joseph Parker was an English Congregational minister of the 19th century. Aged 14 he was expected to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a stonemason. He soon tired of it and went back to school. He managed to pick up a fair education which afterwards he constantly supplemented. From the age of 14 he participated in local debates and boys’ meetings. Aged 18 he preached his first sermon on the village green and was enrolled as a lay preacher in the Methodist circuit. The family returned to the Congregational church and Joseph felt he was called into the Christian ministry. Joseph wrote to Dr. John Campbell of Whitefield’s Tabernacle, Moorfields for guidance. He was invited to preach at his church for 3 Sundays. He left such an impression that Joseph became his assistant minister. 9 months later he accepted a call to the Congregational church in Banbury. he was ordained minister on 8th November 1853. His original congregation of 50 soon became so large a new church was built. He initiated open-air services on the cricket ground during the rebuild which causing consternation and some physical danger to himself. On 10 June 1858 he became the minister at the prestigious Cavendish Street Congregational church. By 1863 there were 1000 members including many wealthy leaders of commerce and industry. 1,700 seats were full for the Sunday services. On 19th September 1869 he became the minister at the oldest nonconformist church in London, Poultry Chapel, Cheapside. Under Joseph’s guidance it was soon flourishing. For the third time a new building was built -CIty Temple in Holborn Viaduct It became the most powerful centre of nonconformist influence in the city and beyond. His stimulating and original sermons, delivered with a ready command of vigorous English, made him one of the best known personalities of his time He was there until his death in 1902. For over 30 years he was minister of City Temple. Joseph was a prolific writer and published more than 60 books. Most of his sermons were extemporary which enticed him to make unexplained outbursts that both astonished and attracted hie congregations. His sonorous voice, with its surprising modulations, as well as his dramatic delivery, his humour, his use of dialect and his freshness combined to make his oratory unique in the London of his day. His transcriber commented that he was at his best when he strayed furthest from his loose outline *Joseph’s chief legacy is not his theology but his gift of oratory. Charles Spurgeon praised his originality. Dr. Parker’s track is his own and the jewels he lets fall in his progress are from his own casket. Alexander Whyte He is by far the ablest man now standing in the English speaking pulpit * Margaret Bywater * the most outstanding preacher of his time Angus Watson no one had ever spoken like him The person who wrote the source Introducing: Joseph Parker said Parker was a communicator of genius. Other source use
David Martyn Lloyd-Jones    (1899-1981)
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David Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981)

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David Martyn Lloyd-Jones was a Welsh protestant minister and medical doctor who was influential in the Reformed wing of the British evangelical movement of the 20th century. He was regarded as one of the top 10 preachers of the 20th century. Born in Cardiff he attended a London grammar school from 1914-17. He then went to St. Bartholomew’s Hospital and qualified as a doctor. After struggling for 2 years, with the sense that he had a call to preach, he returned to Wales in 1927. He married Bethan Phillips in the same year. For 10 years he was minister at Aberavon. He returned to London at the beginning of WW11 to become associate pastor at Westminster Chapel, working along side G. Campbell Morgan. In 1943, on Morgan’s retirement he became sole pastor of Westminster Hall. He stayed pastor there for the next 25 years until his retired in 1968 following a major operation. David was well known for his style of preaching. His sermons drew crowds of several 1000s to hear him preach at the Sunday morning and evening meetings, plus talk (!) at Bible studies. In his book * Preaching and Preachers* he defined his style as Logic on Fire. The fire had to do with activity and the power of the Holy Spirit. He believed true preaching was always expository (set forth in argument/discussion). This means he believed that the primary purpose of the sermon was to reveal and expand the primary teaching of the scripture being studied. *Never heard such preaching with the force of electric shock, bringing to at least one of his listeners more of a sense of God than any other man. J.I. Packer - theologian and preacher David did a vast amount of writing during his life time. ( See the list - many not printed during his life time) David preached his last sermon on 8th June at Barcombe Baptist Chapel. He died peacefully in his sleep on 1st March 1981, St. David’s day. He was buried in West Wales. A well attended thanksgiving service was held at Westminster Chapel on 6th April. His tombstone reads *For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him Crucified. * 1 Corinthians 2 v 2 The 10 things you should know about David Martyn Lloyd Jones, written by his eldest grandson Christopher Catherwood. is well worth a read. Sources used wikipedia Crossway Articles 10 things you should know about Martyn Lloyd Jones The 10 greatest preachers of the 20th century - Michael Duduit
John  Charles Ryle  (1816-1900)
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John Charles Ryle (1816-1900)

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John Charles Ryle was an English evangelical bishop. He was the first Anglican bishop of Liverpool. he was a strong supporter of the evangelical school. He was a writer, pastor and an evangelical preacher. John was the eldest son of John Ryle, a member of parliament. His father’s family owned a bank. who was a private banker. He was educated at Eton and at the University of Oxford. He left university with the intention of following in his father’s footsteps. Unfortunately his father’s fortunes took a down turn… They lost the family bank, filed for bankruptcy, and John needed to go in a different direction. He had been converted in 1937 by hearing Ephesians 2 v 8 *God save you by grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift of God. * He decided to be clergyman. He took holy orders (1841-2) and became a curate at Exbury, in Hampshire. ( read 3rd para. on Life ). In 1880 he was designated dean of Salisbury and ‘at once’ 19th April advance to the newly seated see of Liverpool. He was bishop of Liverpool for almost 20 years (1880-1900) until his death at Lowerstoft on 10th June 1900. John was described as having a commanding presence and vigorous in advocating his principles albeit with a warm disposition. He is credited with having some success in evangelizing the blue collar workers. John had a number of published works ( See* Legacy* and ‘Published works’ ) He was buried at All Souls Church, Childwall, Liverpool. Source used wikipedia
Benjamin B. Warfield (1851- !921)
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Benjamin B. Warfield (1851- !921)

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Benjamin Breckinridge Warfield born near Lexington, Kentucky on 5th November 1851. Born into a wealthy family he was taught privately. He entered Princeton University in 1868 and graduated in 1871 with high honours in mathematics and science. While travelling in Europe he decided to theology to the surprise of his friends. He entered Princeton Seminary in 1873 to train to be a Presbyterian ministry. He graduated in 1876 and also married Annie Pierce Kinkead. Together they went to Germany and Annie was struck by lightning - the result being she to a degree paralyzed. (see 10 thing you should know about B.B Warfield.) In 1877 he became professor of theology at Princeton Theological Seminary (1877-1921). He was ordained on 26th April 1879. He served as the the last principal from 1886-1902 . On his death in 1921 Francis Landley Patton became the first president of the seminary. In 1881 he wrote a joint article with A.A. Hodge about the inspiration of the Bible. It drew attention because of the scholarly and forceful defence of the inerrancy ( infalliblity)of the Bible. This article presented basically the position that Benjamen was to defend and elaborate upon for more than 40 years. From 1890 -1902 Benjamin was the editor of the * Presbyterian and Reformed Review.* His own contribution was articles and critical book reviews. He also wrote a number of books and his sermons were turned into 3 volumes. (See Warfield’s writings and Writings) During his time his primary aim thrust was the authoritative view of the Bible. He went against the trend of modernist theology. He therefore preached and believed the doctrine of * sola scriptura * - that the Bible is God inspired and is sufficient for the Christians to live their faith Some conservative Presbyterians consider him to be the last of the great Princeton theologians. The 10 Things you should know about B.B. Warfield by Fred G. Zaspel makes for interesting reading. Sources used Great Leaders of the Christian Church editor John D. Woodbridge contributor Roger Nicole wikipedia Crossways Articles
Henry Ward Beecher  (1813-1887)
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Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887)

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Henry was a prominent liberal U.S. Congregational minister whose oratorical skills and social concern made him one of the most influential Protestant speakers of the mid to late 19th century… Though never distinguished as a scholar he became a superior speaker and popular leader. He came to believe that a sermon succeeds by focusing on the single objective of effecting a moral change in the change of the hearer. In 1847 he accepted a call to Plymouth Church (Congregational), Brooklyn. N.Y., where he drew a weekly crowds of 2,500 by the early 1850s. Abraham Lincoln said no one in history had so productive a mind was in the audience at one point. Mark Twain said, sawing his arms in the air, howling sarcasms this way and that, discharging rockets of poetry and exploding mines of eloquence, halting now and then to stamp his foot three times in succession to emphasize a point Henry’s fiery preaching style led to his becoming editor of several religious magazines including * Christian Union * Among his many books is Evolution and Religion. He became one of the most influential figures of his time. He supported the Free Soil political candidates and later the Republicans. On the out break of of the Civil war his church raised and equipped a volunteer regiment. In a highly publicized scandal he was accused of committing adultery with a friend’s wife. His wife supported him throughout the ordeal.The board of inquiry exonerated him twice but the debacle split his family. Henry died of a cerebral hemorrhage in March 1887.
John Knox        (1514- 1572)
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John Knox (1514- 1572)

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John Knox was an ordained minister successively for 3 Christian churches - Roman Catholic, Church of England and Church of Scotland. And for 19 months he was a galley slave. John in turn became a tutor, preacher at St. Andrews, galley-slave in French bondage and chaplain to the young English king- Edward VI. In the 1540s John came under the influence of converted reformers… He became the bodyguard for fiery Protestant preacher George Wishart. In 1546 Cardinal David Beaton had Wishart arrested, tried ,strangled and burned. 3 months later Beaton was murdered by Protestant conspirators. John was not ‘privy’ to the murder but did approve of it. In 1547 the occupants of St. Andrew Castle, including John, were put under siege. Some occupants were imprisoned; John was sent to the galleys as a slave. Released after 19 months he spent 5 years in England where his reputation for preaching quickly blossomed. During the reign of Mary Tudor (1553-8),when England reverted back to being Roman Catholic, John was exiled in Europe. Whilst there he helped originate the Puritan tradition and worked on an English version of the Bible. In 1559 he returned to Scotland to be proclaimed an outlaw by the Roman Catholic queen regent. The English ambassador, Randolph said, The voice of one man is able in one hour to put more life in us than 500 trumpets continually blustering our ears. Queen Mary arrived in Scotland in 1561. . When Mary was contemplating Don Car;os of Spain John sounded the Protestant alarm bell. John was charged with treason but the privy Council refused to convict him. Aged 50 John married 17 year old Margaret Stewart a distant relative of the queen - that completed the queen’s ‘cup of bitterness’. The Reformation finally came to Scotland. John laid down the right foundations. He aimed at support for the poor, equality of men before God and the advancement of education by having a school in every parish. He and his fellow ministers went to great pains to establish sound doctrine. Parliament ordered John and 5 colleagues to write a Confession of faith, the First Book of Discipline and *The Book of Common Order * . He ended up as preacher in Edinburgh church where he wrote History of the Reformation of Religion in Scotland His power as a preacher lay in his capacity to fuse reason with emotion and to be a passionate logican in the pulpit. He was considered one of the most powerful preachers of his day. John was a minister of the Christian gospel who advocated a violent but bloodless revolution.He was a key figure in the formation of modern Scotland. Sources used *Great Leaders of the Christian Church editor Woodbridge content by J.D. Douglas Britannica Online Encyclopedia Christianity Today
Philipp Jakob Spener (1635-1705) and Pietism
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Philipp Jakob Spener (1635-1705) and Pietism

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Philipp was a German Lutheran theologian who essentially found what woudl becme known as Pietism. He was later named ‘Father of Pietism’. After a brief time at the grammar school in Colmar he moved on to Strasbourg in 1651. He studied philology, history and philosophy. He became the private tutor to the princes Christian and Charles of the Electorate of the Palantinate. He also lectured on philology and history at the university. From 1659-62 he visited various universities and commenced a study of Heraldry - which he pursued throughout his life. He returned to Strasbourg where he was appointed preacher without and pastoral duties. in 1666 he became the chief pastor in the Lutheran church at Frankfurt. A prolific writer here he published his two main worksIn his most famous work Pia Desideria (1675) Philipp assessed contemporary orthodoxy’s weakness and advanced proposals for reform. He gave 6 proposals. (Read ‘Theology’ paragraph to see 6 proposals and also ’ Heart desire’). In 1680 he wrote Allgemeine Gottesgelehrtheit and began the form of pastoral work which resulted in the movement called Pietism. In 1686 accepted invitation to the first chaplaincy at Dresden. In 1691 he became rector of St. Nicholas in Berlin with the title of counsellor of the Marcher Consistory. Philippe died aged 70, on 5 th February 1705. After Philipp the leadership of German Pietism passed to August Hermann Francke. Pietism emphasized personal faith against the main Lutheran church’s perceived stress on doctrine and theology over Christian living. ( See notes) Sources wikipedia Christianity Today Britannica Online Encyclopedia
Ulrich  (Huldrych) Zwingli    (1484-1531)
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Ulrich (Huldrych) Zwingli (1484-1531)

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Ulrich Zwingli has been called the third man of the Reformation; third behind Martin Luther and John Kalvin. Ulrich was a scholar, priest and reformist. Ulrich born a couple of months after Martin Ulrich graduated from the University of Basel in 1506. and became the parish priest in Glarus. From the beginning he took his priestly duties seriously. The feeling of responsibility motivated him to show an increasing interest in the Bible. He bought a copy of Erasmus’s New Testament Latin translation He began to teach himself Greek and bought Erasmus Greek N.T. and started to memorize long passages. Privately he started to challenge the customs of medieval Christendom he thought were unbiblical. Ulrich moved to Zurich in 1518 just a year after Martin Luther began the Reformation in Germany with his famous 99Theses. Ulrich had his own equivalent the 67 conclusions. He struggled with celibacy. He secretly married in 1522. In January 1523 he was ready to share his ideas. Before the Zurich City Council he gave the what is now called the FIrst Disputation. The second Disputation happened in October. The reforms which followed were the removal of images of Jesus and Mary, saints removed from churches, the Bible to have preeminence. In 1524 he was publicly married. In 1525 he and others convinced the city to abolish mass and replace it with a simple service that included the Lord’s Supper but only as a symbolic memorial. Under the leadership of Ulrich the Swiss Confederation was creating a parallel movement to what Martin Luther was creating in Germany. The German Prince Philip of Hesse saw the potential of an alliance between Ulrich and Martin. In 1529 they met at his castle - now known as the Colloquay of Marlburg . The two movements agreed on 14 points of doctrine, the 15th point they disagreed over the Lord’s Supper. Luther preached consubstantiation - actual body and blood of Christ, Ulrich said it was only representative and memorial. It was evident no alliance was going to work. Ulrich died two years later in a battle defending Zurich against Catholic forces. Under Heinrich Bullinger, Ulrich’s successor, this unique branch of the Protestant Reformation continued to blossom.
Thomas Cranmer     (1489-1556)
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Thomas Cranmer (1489-1556)

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Thomas Cranmer was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1533- 1556. He was the archbishop responsible for successfully getting HenryV111 's divorce from his first wife , Catherine of Aragon. (He also married his next 5 wives.)Henry then declared himself Supreme head of the English church- Thomas became the first Protestant Archbishop of England. (For this piece of work iI have used two main sources Great Leaders of the Christian Church (GL of CC) Britannica Online Encyclopedia (B.O.E) Thomas was born on 2nd July 1489 in Nottinghamshire. He went to Jesus college, Cambridge and received a fellowship in 1523. Early on he rejected the claims that the Pope had supremacy over the ruler of each country. (read Cranmer the Erastian - GL of CC). In August 1529 a plague known as the sweating sickness swept the country and Thomas went to stay at his father’s house in Waltham, Essex. HenryV111 was visiting the area and two of the king’s councillors met Thomas - they discussed the future divorce. The king called Thomas for an interview. Thomas agreed to create a treatise. (Read* Entry into Royal Service* - B.O.E.) When William Warham, the aged archbishop of Canterbury died in August 1532, a replacement was needed. Stephen Gardiner, the obvious candidate was out of favour. Thomas, now chief adviser on ecclesiastical matters, was chosen. In March 1533 he was consecrated and instituted at Canterbury. In May he declared the marriage to Catherine of Argon void and pronounced the marriage to Anne Boleyn valid. He did as he was told with regards to the other marriages that followed. With regard to church matters he created the Book of Common Prayer in the language of the people - English replaced Latin. He provided the church with one book containing all services for daily, Sunday and occasional use, as well as a Book of Psalms. In the year Henry V111 died, 1517, and Edward V1 became king,Thomas published a Book Of Homilies which was designed to meet the notorious grievance that the unreformed clergy did not preach enough. He was also influential in fixing the doctrinal anchors of the reformed Church of England. The 42 articles of !553 became the 39 articles in 1571. These articles anchor the church in the scriptures , the creeds and Reformed catholicity. On the death of Edward V! and the short 9 day ‘reign’ of Lady Jane Grey - who Thomas had supported Mary1 became queen. Mary was Roman Catholic and wanted Thomas to recant his beliefs on oath. Refusal meant he would be martyred. He briefly agreed but was still burnt at the stake- March 21st 1556 - he made sure his right hand which had signed the paper was first in the fire. Thomas was the leader of the English Reformation and was responsible for establishing the basic structures of the Church of England. He died as a martyr for the English form of R The Britannica Online Encyclopedia article on Thomas Cramner is excellent. .
Saint Thomas  Aquinas  (c.1225-1274)
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Saint Thomas Aquinas (c.1225-1274)

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Saint Thomas Aquinas was recognized as the greatest theologian of his age. He was one of the most influential medieval thinkers of Scholasticism and the father of the Thomistic school of theology. Before he was born a holy hermit predicted to his mother that her son would enter the ‘Order of Friars Preachers’ and become a great learner and achieve unequaled sanctity. Aged 5 he was sent to the Abbey of Monte Cassino. Aged 13 the political climate forced him to return to Naples. He stayed 5 years at the Benedictine house. In about 1239 he went to the local university. In 1243 he secretly joined an order of Dominican monks, receiving the habit a year later. When his parents found out they were so annoyed at his betrayal they held him captive -kidnapped him- for a year in the fortress of San Giovanni at Rocca Secca. On his release in 1245 he returned to the order and stayed with them until 1252. Ordained in 1250 he then earned his doctorate in Theology. he was an exemplary scholar. On completing his education he devoted his time to travelling, writing, teaching, public speaking and preaching. Institutes yearned to benefit from the wisdom of ‘The Christian Apostle’. For his ‘Theology and Philosophy’ please read relevant paragraphs. He wrote nearly 60 known works. Handwritten copies were distributed to libraries across Europe! (Read ‘Major Works’) During the feast of Saint Nicholas in 1273 he had a mystical vision which made him think writing was unimportant. Father Reginald of Piperno urged him to write but he never wrote again. In 1274 Thomas decided to walk to the Second Council in Lyon, France. He fell ill on the way and stayed at the Cistercirn monastery of Fossanova in Italy .He died at the monastery on March 7th 1274. If the Lord wishes to take me away, it is better that I be found in a religious house than in the dwelling of a layperson. *Thomas provided the Roman church with reasoned statements of its interpretation of Christian faith. H. Dermot McDonald Thomas was canonized by Pope John XX11 in1323. Sources used Life, Philosophy & Theology- Biography Great Leaders of the Christian Faith Woodbridge contirbution by H. Dermot McDonald
Phoebe Palmer  (1807-1874)  Holiness Movement
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Phoebe Palmer (1807-1874) Holiness Movement

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Phoebe Palmer was an American Methodist evangelist and writer who promoted the doctrine of Christian perfection. She is considered to be one of the founders of the Holiness movement withing Methodist Christianity. Phoebe was born Phoebe Worrall in New York City. Her father Henry was a a devout Methodist who during the Wesleyan Revival in England had a religious conversion before immigrating to the U.S.A… Phoebe’s mother was Dorethea Wade Worrall. Phoebe married Walter Palmer, a physician and devout Methodist in 1827. They became interested in the writings of John Wesley, especially his doctrine of Christian perfection - a belief that a Christian can live a life free of sin. 26th July 1837 Phoebe experienced an ‘entire sanctification’. Other members of her family later also experienced this ‘sanctification’. They felt they should teach others about how to have it for themselves. Phoebe often preached at Methodist church and camp meetings. Palmer’s sister, Sarah Lankford, began having weekly meetings with Methodist women. 2 years later Phoebe was leading these Tuesday meetings. They became referred to as the Tuesday Meeting for the Promotion of Holiness. They always had the meetings at someone’s home. From 1839 men were also allowed to attend. These meetings eventually influenced the Methodist Church nationwide. The Palmer’s worked as a team and received invitations to speak at churches, conferences and camps. Phoebe was better known than her husband Walter. Sources wikipedia Britannis Online Encyclopedia
Saint Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556) and the Jesuits
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Saint Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556) and the Jesuits

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Ignatius was born Inigo Lopez to a noble and wealthy Basque family. He went to the Spanish court to become a page. He joined the army. In the battle with the Frehch for the town of Pamplona, Spain, he was hit by a cannon ball the size of a fist. The 5 feet 2 inch Inigo five was helped back to Loyola by French soldiers. he underwent surgery but he was left with a limp in his right leg. During the 7 weeks of recovery he began reading spiritual books and visions. By the time he had recuperated he had resolved to live a life of austerity to do penance for his sins. In February 1522 he left for Montserrat, a pilgrim site in N.E. Spain. He confessed his sins and hung up his sword and dagger, donned sack cloth and lived like a beggar. He attend mass daily and spent 7 hours in prayer, often in a cave near Manresa. There he sketched the fundamentals for Spiritual Exercises - a guide to convert the heart and mind to a closer following of Jesus Christ After a pilgrim a to the Holy Land he headed for Europe. He went to Alcala (now Barcelona) to study for 12 years where he acquired followers. Still not ordained he became distrusted by the church hierarchy. 1534 Ignatuis and his followers took vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. 1537, in Venice, they were ordained. 1540, gained Pope’s approval and named Society of Jesus. 1541 Ignatius, aged 50, elected superior general of his new order. The vision and disciplines of the * Jesuits* caught the imagination of Europe. These zealous monks were successful in checking the forces of Protestantism in parts of Europe. They gained a wide spread reputation for their fanatical willingness to do almost anything to advance the cause of the Roman Catholic church. Ignatius’s Spiritual Exercises have been in constant use for nearly 500 years. The Constitution of the Society of Jesus was probably the most important work of his later years. There is no doubt that friend and foe alike saw Ignatius and the Jesuits as a key factor in reviving and strengthening the Roman church after 1550. In 2013 Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina became Pope Francis, the first Jesuit to be elected pope. Sources used Christianity Today Great Leaders of the Christian Church Woodbridge contribution from Robert D. Linder Britannica Online Encyclopedia wikipedia
John Hus  (1369- 1415)
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John Hus (1369- 1415)

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John Hus or Huss was a pre-reformation reformer. In 1360 the king of Bohemia (similar in size to modern Czechoslovakia) invited Conrad of Waldhausen to come and preach to the corrupt church. From that time there was a national reform movement in Bohemia.John stood firmly within that tradition. John lived during the time of the Great Schism when Europe was divided between 2 or 3 Popes. It was the Council of Constance which brought the Schism to an end and resulted in John’s martyrdom at the stake. John studied theology at the University of Prague. He became a preacher at the Bethlehem Chapel in Prague. In his church the services were conducted in Czech and not Latin, the Bible readings and sermons were also in the common language. He preached actively against the worst abuses of the Roman church of his day-the low morality of the clergy, the Bible read in Latin, sale of indulgences, Pope infallibility. (See The Movarian Church for the full 4 main factors). His criticisms and call for reforms were seen as a stumbling block to reconciling the divided Church. He was excommunicated. Promised safe conduct by Sigismund, the Holy Roman Emperor, he went to the Council of Constance. He was imprisoned (1414-8). He was accused of being a Wycliffe. He was not allowed to defend himself or his beliefs. He refused to recant his beliefs and was called a heretic. On 6th July 1415 he was burned at the stake. Aftermath - Hussite Wars. The Hussites won 4 crusades against them ( Read how his followers rebelled) John was an important member of an ongoing movement which would become a national movement of reform. Martin Luther, many years later, came across some of John Hus sermons. I was overwhelmed with astonishment. I could not understand for what cause they had burnt so great a man, who explained the Scriptures with so much gravity and skill. Sources used Great leaders of the Christian Church edited by Woodbridge contribution from A.N.S. Lane Christian history wikipedia
Thomas Becket  (1118-1173)
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Thomas Becket (1118-1173)

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Thomas Becket is one of the most famous men in English History. Henry11 asked, ‘Who will rid me of this traitor?’ Four of his knights took at his word and went to Canterbury Cathedral and in front of the high altar murdered Thomas. Henry 11 and Thomas had been friends. Henry 11 had appointed him to be his royal chancellor. He performed his duties very capably and became the king’s trusted servant and friend. On the death of of Archbishop Theobald of Canterbury Henry11 appointed Thomas his successor. He believed Thomas would serve the state as well as the church. On appointment Thomas changed his allegiance and his life style. He abandoned his worldly materialistic ways and became a saintly soul living a disciplined , pious and austere life. He steadfastly resisted all efforts to impose the royal will on the church. Discord developed over how the church and state dealt with clerics convicted of crimes. Following a quarrel Thomas, the Archbishop of Canterbury, was forced into exile in France (1164-1170). On his return to England in 1170 he met with his death. Henry11 when he heard the news was distraught - what he had said in anger he now regretted. Henry was forced to do penance because there was such an outpouring of rage from the public Thomas was sainted in 1173 and became the most popular saint in English History. His Legacy is enormous. In the ‘Canterbury Tales’ by Chaucer a group of pilgrims are on their way to worship at his shrine. (Read Legacy) Sources used Great Leaders of the Christian Church - Woodbridge contribution from Robert G. Clouse wipedia BBC History
Henry Gratton Guinness (1835-1910)  evangelist, author and missionary trainer
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Henry Gratton Guinness (1835-1910) evangelist, author and missionary trainer

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Henry, on his 21st birthday, wrote in his diary to live preaching and to die preaching; to live and die in the pulpit;to preach to perishing sinners till i drop down dead The combination of the entrepreneurial Guinness spirit on his father’s side and the Cramers creative, magnetic qualities on his mother’s side was an irresistible combination. 1856 Henry entered New College in London under a tutor called Dr. Harris. In 1857, whilst still a student he began to preach. He became an independent evangelist of the second Evangelical awakening. He spent 15 years travelling and preaching in Britain, Europe and North America. In 1870 he married Fanny Fitzgerald. To be the wife of an itinerant evangelist’s wife was not an easy one. She travelled with him also became a well known speaker. In 1872 because of their age, they were turned down for chance of being missionaries in China by their friend James Hudson Taylor. Undeterred they moved deliberately to East London, a poor and unsavory area. In 1873 they moved to Harley House in Bow. where they established the East London Institute for Home and Foreign Missions. ( closed in 1918) In 1878 they founded the Livingstone Inland Mission. In 1889 they founded the Congo and Balolo Mission which became the Regions Beyond Missionary Union. Also in 1878 Henry started to write the first of many Christian books. Which resulted in him speaking about biblical prophecy. Fanny, ‘Mother of Harley’, and mother of their 6 children died in 1898. He married Grace Hurditch in 1903. Together they travelled widely for 5 years before settling in Bath. In 1910, following a visit to the Congo, Henry died. He was an Irish Protestant Christian preacher, evangelist and author. He was responsible for training and sending 100s of faith missionaries all over the globe. He was the great evangelist of the Evangelical awakening Four of his surviving children from his first marriage worked as missionaries overseas, For further reading read The Guinness Family in Ambassadors for Christ. Sources wikipedia History of Missiology Ambassadors for Christ ( publ. 1994)