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

Teresa at the age of 21, against her father’s wishes, professed her vows as a Carmelite at the Spanish Convent of the Incarnation at Avilla. The relaxed rule of the Carmelites began to offend her. But 3 years suffering from a prolonged illness forced her to read books on the spiritual life. The ‘Letters’ of Jerome helped - his strong advocacy of the monastic life for women inspired her to begin again. By 1540 she was ready to ready to resume convent life but she was partly paraiyzed. For 12 more years she struggled to achieve that perfect love of In her autobiography* Life* she wrote ’ I voyaged on this tempestuous sea for almost 20 years with these fallings and risings’ Things began to changed when her glance fell on a statute of the wounded Christ.Jesus broke down her defences to reveal the reason for her spiritual exhaustion- her dalliance with the delights of sin. She broke from her past and under went a final conversion (1555).She dreamed of establishing convents where young women could pursue deep lives of prayer and devotion. In 1559 she had the ‘transfixion’ - a cherub pierced her heart with an arrow leaving her with a burning love of God and an unquenchable desire for his presence. This led her into reform. In 1563, with the blessing of Pope Paul 1V she opened the reformed Carmelite convent of St. Joseph in Avila. There the Discalced (shoeless) Carmelites would live under her new strict rules. Her reforms required utter withdrawal so the nuns could meditate on divine law and through a prayful life of penance, exercise what she termed ‘our vocation of reparation’ for the sins of humankind. She convinced John of the Cross to join her in the work. Her success as an administrator and reformer resulted in her founding 16 monasteries. Rest,indeed! I need no rest; what I need is crosses. She died, exhausted, on 4th October 1582 Yet it is her gift of spiritual direction, practiced personally with nuns and publicly in her writings for which she is known today. She had to be persuaded to put pen to paper- the results were ’ Life’ her autobiography, ‘Way of Perfection’ - practical advice for her nuns, and ‘Interior Castle’ - a theological treatise. Her legacy can be seen in Music, paintings, sculpture, literature , drama and film. Her life and writings restored many of the religious institutions of Spain. The Spanish parliament named her the Patroness of Spain. In 1622 Pope Gregory XV proclaimed her a saint Teresa of Avila was a major figure in the 16th century movement of Roman Catholic reform. Differences between Discaled Carmelites and Carmelites (See enclosed material for more information) Sources used Church History Britannica Online Encyclopedia wikipedia Great Leaders of the Christian Church Woodbridge contribution by Caroline T. Marshall

Elizabeth Prout, a Shrewsbury born nun, is on course to become Britain’s first female non-martyr saint in 800 years after the Vatican ruled she had lived a life of ‘heroic virtue’. Her sainthood cause was submitted to the Vatican in 2008. Elizabeth Prout, also known as Mother Mary Joseph of Jesus (1820-1864) was the founder of the Roman Catholic religious institute originally called the Institute of the Holy Family, but known later as the Passionist Sisters or Sisters of the Cross and Passion. She was received into the Catholic faith in her early twenties-parents opposed it. The so called ‘Mother Teresa of Manchester’, i n 1848. aged 28, became a nun and was given a teaching post in some of th poorest areas of Manchester, working largely among Irish migrants and factory workers who were fleeing the Great Famine. Parts of Manchester in 1844 were described as ‘this hell on earth’. An observer 4 years later described the place where Elizabeth worked - the Angel Meadow district as*the lowest, most filthy, most unhealthy and most wicked locality - the home of prostitutes, their bullies, thieves, codgers, vagrants, tramps and in the very worst sties of filth and darkness- the low Irish. The life of Elizabeth and her female companions was strict They laboured for much of the day in prayer and working for the local poor. Her original companions found it too strict and left. Father Gaudentius Rossi, who greatly influenced her, drew up ’ a rule of life’ for the Institute of the Holy Family. and new recruits joined. On 21st November 1852 the new sisters received a religious habit . At her clothing she became Mother Mary Joseph of Jesus - her religious name. The new institute was criticised for its revolutionary ideas -the nuns had to earn their own wages to support themselves The nuns worked so they became ill. Unable to afford a doctor she nursed them back to health. Conflict within the community took its toll on her work, particularly the finances of the Institution. She went to Ireland to beg for alms for her Institute. On her return things were even worse- the sisters were accused of irregularity. The resulting investigation proved extremely positive because it revealed the deep poverty of the sisters and the sacrifices they had made in their hard work. She opened 9 schools for poor children and homes for the destitute women across the industrial region ( Read ‘Work in Manchester’) The Vatican approved the new order in 1863. The institute was originally called the Institute of the Holy Family, but later known as the Passionist Sisters or the Sisters of the Cross and Passion. The deeply practical Elizabeth was the first Superior General. Elizabeth, aged 43, died the following year,on 11th January, 1864. Her body , with Dominic Barberi and Ignatius Spencer lies in the shrine of St. Anne’s Church, Sutton. The latest up date on her possible saint hood. Elizabeth declared Venerable by the Vatican in January 2021.

Saint Oswald ( c.604-642)was king of Northumbria (634-642) until his death and is venerated as a saint. As a youth he was exiled to Iona, Columbia’s island, in the Scottish kingdom of Dal Riata in Northern Britain, where he was converted to Christianity. His brother Eanfrith became king of Bernicia but was killed by Cadwallon in 633/4 after attempting to negotiate peace. Oswald fought Cadwallon in the battle at Heavenfiels, near Hexham. He had a vision of Columba before the battle which he described to his council. They all agreed to be baptized and accept Christianity after the battle. Before the battle he erected a wooden cross. He knelt down, holding the cross in position until enough earth had been thrown to make it stand firm. He then prayed and asked his small army to join him. In the battle which followed Oswald was victorious. Cadwallon was killed. The tall, fair, blued eyed King Oswald reunited Norhthumbria and re-established the Berniccian supremacy. He established himself as the most powerful king in Britain. Adomnan describes Oswald as ‘ordained by God as Emperor of all Britain’. He was able to speak the 4 languages of Britain- Britons, Scots, Picts and English. He was on good terms with the West Saxons. He stood sponsor tot the baptism of king Cynegils and married his daughter Kyneburga. Oswald asked for a bishop from the Irish of Dal Riata. The first, an ‘austere’ bishop, was not successful. The second, Aidan proved to be very successful. He was given the island of Lindisfarne as his episcopal see. The Venerable Bede mentions that Oswald initially interpreted Aidan’s preaching because he did not know English well. Bede recounts Oswald’s generosity to the poor and strangers. One Easter, while dining with Aidan. he hears from a servant that there is a crowd in the streets begging for alms from the king. Oswald gives his * silver dish full of dainties* to them and the dish is broken up. Aidan is so impressed he takes Oswald’s right hand and says May this hand never perish. Saint Oswald died fighting the pagan Mercians under Penda in 642 in the battle of Maserfoeld. Bede says he ended his life in prayer when he realised he was about to die. His head and limbs were placed on stakes. His bones were dispersed as relics, but his head was buried at Lindisfarne - later taken to Durham when the monks fled before the Danish invasion. . After his death, according to Bede, the site where he died * Oswestry or Oswald’s Tree became associated with miracles and legend. Sources used The Churches Year by Charles Alexander Wikipedia

The Annunciation also referred to as the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Annunciation of Our Lady or Annunciation of the Lady The Annunciation of Mary is when the Archangel Gabriel visits Mary to say that she is going to have a son, who she was to call Jesus. * (See Luke ch. 1 verses 26-38) Mary is surprised because she asks, How can this be I do nor know a man? She is still a virgin who has only recently become betrothed to Joseph. The angel replies with these words The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Gabriel goes on to explain that her cousin Elizabeth, in old age, is going to give birth to a son. (This son is John the Baptist) Mary says Behold the maidservant of the Lord!. Let it be to me according to your word. Gabriel then departed. This is how Mary learned that she was going to give birth to Jesus, the Son of God. Brief information about Mary and the Archangel Gabriel included. Sources The Bible Wikipedia

Saint Francis was an Italian Catholic Friar, deacon and preacher. He founded the men’s order of Friar Minor, the women’s Order of saint Clare, the Third Order of Saint Francis and the Custody of the Holy Land. He is one of the most venerated religious figures in Christianity. He was born in 1181 in Assisi Italy. He enjoyed life until 1202 when he had a serious illness which changed his behaviour. He turned to God and spent his time and money on helping the poor and sick people especially those with leprosy. In 1209 he started to live like a hermit- he lived in a hovel near the church he was rebuilding. In 1210, with eleven friends, he went to see Pope Innocent 111. They were officially recognised - it was the beginning of the Franciscan Order - now world wide. 1217 saw him involved with the Crusades He preached in the Saracens camp and spoke with Sultan. He attempted to make a truce with the Christians and Muslims. He decided in 1220 to give up the leadership of the Order. His health began to fail but his joyful spirit never failed. He had frequent visions and received the Stigmata - marks on his hands, feet and side in his own flesh. Before he died in 1226 he composed the Canticle of the Sun. Saint Francis was known for his love of nature and animals. He was canonized in 1228, just two years after his death. There is a great deal of information to found about him. Wikipedia gives him 22 pages. I have put together a mixture of different types of data. Ducksters gives children an outline of his life. !2 interesting questions are asked and answered. I have included a translation of the* Canticle of the Sun.* Sources used wikipedia * The Church’s Year* Charles Alexander Encyclopedia.com Canticle of the Sun Biographies for Kids Catholic Encyclopedia

Earnest was originally a British mathematician and scientist. In his late twenties he became a liberal theologian and bishop. He became the leader of the Modernist movement in the Church of England. He was renowned as a pacifist during WW11. 1893 he went to Trinity College, Cambridge. I1897 elected to a Trinity Fellowship. 1902 appointed as a lecturer in Mathematics and ordained as a deacon in the Church of England. 1903 ordained as a priest. 1906/8 appointed junior dean. 1908 appointed tutor. 1915 he left Cambridge, and his career in mathematics, to become Master of the Temple in London. 1918 he received a canonry at Westminster Abbey. 1924 became bishop of Birmingham (1924-53) 1953 retired after nearly 30 years due to poor health. He was perhaps the best known liberal bishop of his time, identified with the modernist or broad church movement. His time as bishop was marked by continual controversy. His book The Rise of Christianity attacked many Christian claims including the virgin birth and the bodily resurrection of Christ. Read Pacifism and Eugenics, Earnest died, aged 79, at his home in Sussex.

William was a Church of Scotland minister, an author, radio and television presenter, and Professor of Divinity and Biblical Criticism at the University of Glasgow. He wrote a popular set of New Testament Bible commentaries -sold 1.5 million. He studied Classics and Divinity at Glasgow University (1925-9). He also studied at the University of Sam Ratulangi Manado (1932/3). 1933-47 He was minister at Trinity Church Renfrew from 1933-1946. In 1947 he returned to the University of Glasgow as a lecturer in New Testament. He became Professor of Divinity and Biblical Criticism in 1963. He then dedicated his life to making the best biblical scholarship available to the average reader. The Daily Study Bible was the result -17 commentaries on the N.T… Today, in its updated version, it is called the New Daily Study Bible series. Also In 2008 Saint Andrew Press took the study series and began to produce pocket-sized thematic titles called Insights. The books are introduced by contemporary authors, broadcasters and scholars. William wrote many other popular books drawing on scholarship but written in a highly accessible style. In his book The Mind of Jesus he states his aim was to make the figure of Jesus more vividly alive, so that we may know him better and love him more.- See list of Worksto appreciate the number of books that he wrote. William described himself theologically as a * liberal evangelical.* Source Wikipedia

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 was popularly known as the ‘Archbishop of Nonconformity’. He was noted for sermons and writings in defence of the principles of Noncomformity, devotional verse and for involvement in the cause of anti-slavery After a short pastorate on the Isle of Wight he moved in 1829 to King’s Weigh House Chapel, London. There he continued to discharge the duties of the ministry until he resigned in 1869 (40 years). During his time there the congregation grew so large that a new chapel on Fish Street Hill was built. In 1834 he personally laid the foundation stone of the chapel. He visited Canada and the USA in 1845 . Between 1857-9 he visited the Australian colonies. He was twice chairman of the Congregational Union of England and Wales. He worked to obtain reunion with the C.of E. He introduced the chanting of psalms into Congregational worship as one step towards this. He gave a special impulse with the publication of The Service of Song in the House of the Lord. (See Books for other of his publications) On the other hand he wrote Twenty -Four Reasons for Dissenting from the Church of England (1848). He was an active member of the British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society formed in 1839. He wrote the biography of Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, a leading parliamentary abolitionist. Thomas’s liberality of view and breadth of ecclesiastical sympathy entitles him to be ranked, on questions of Nonconformity, among the most distinguished. He gave his last sermon in November 1873. Following months of pain Thomas died,aged 76, on 24th February 1874. He wrote the well known hymn Eternal Light! Eternal Light! Source Wikipedia

Dominic is best remembered for his part in St. John Henry Newman’s conversion. He is also commemorated for his work in his efforts to return England to the Catholic faith in the 19th Century. He entered the Passionist Order, about 1814 as a lay brother and in 1818 he was ordained a priest. He lectured and taught at several places in Italy up until 1841 (20+years) when his wish to work in England as a missionary became a reality. During this period he had produced many theological and philosophical works. He arrived in Folkestone in October 1841 - a little Italian priest in ‘comical’ attire. In February 1842 he secured possession of Aston Hall, Staffordshire. for the Passionists in England. In October 1845 he received ( St. ) John Henry Newman into the Roman Catholic Church. Dominic visited Littlemore where Newman made his confession to him. (Newman relates in his ‘Apologia’ how Barberi arrived soaked from rain and as he was drying Newman knelt down and asked to be received into the Catholic Church.) On 27th August 1849 he suffered a fatal heart attack on the train at Pangbourne, just outside Reading. Dominic is buried in St. Anne and Blessed Dominic Church, Sutton, Merseyside. By the time of his death in 1849 he had established 3 Passsionist houses and several chapels in England. He had preached innumerable sermons and received 100s of converts. In 1963 he was beatified by the RC church. Rest in peace Blessed Dominic Barberi Source Wikipedia

Robert was born in King’s Lynn, Norfolk He was educated at Cambridge. He was an English protestant martyr who helped spread Lutheranism in England. He was a prior at Austin Friars. Thomas Bilney influenced him in embracing the teaching of the Reformers and in 1528 he escaped, to Antwerp for Germany where he formed a lasting friendship with Martin Luther. In the summer of 1531, while in Wittenberg, he was commissioned to ascertain Luther and other continental divines opinion on the divorce proceedings between Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon. He spent several years going between England and Germany A little more than a month after his protector, Thomas Cromwell, fell from favour, he was burnt as a heretic with two other Lutherans. On July 1540, along with 5 other religious dissidents - 3 Lutheran and 3 Catholic-. he was drawn on hurdles from the Tower of London to Smithfield to be executed Sources Wilipedia Briannica The Hodder and Stoughton Book of Famous Christians.

Isobel Selina Miller Kuhn - Belle - was a Canadian Christian missionary to the Lisu people of Yunnan Province, China and northern Thailand. She served with the China Inland Mission, along with her husband John , as a Bible translator, church planter, Bible teacher, evangelist and author of 9 books about her experiences. Rainy Seasons Bible Schools was opened by Isobel. During the dry season her ‘pupils’ worked hard on the land. When the floods came they were able to study. From 1930-1954 Isobel and John were missionaries in China. Their missionary work was put on hold from 1950-2 because of the Chinese communist revolution. In 1954 Isobel was diagnosed with cancer and she concentrated on writing her books. Her first book By Searching is an autobiography of her early life in a Christian home and her eventual conversion, aged 20, to being a born again Christian. ISBN 978-0853639111 Irene Howat in her book Gold from Dark Mines looks at Isobel 's searching and 5 other well known Christians and their build-up to their conversions. Isobel died on March 20th 1957 with her John at her side. Her funeral was held at Wheaton College Church. When I get to heaven they aren’t going to see much of me but my heels, for I’ll be hanging over the golden wall keeping an eye on the Lisu church! Isobel Kuhn (Note Her father was a roentgenologist - a person who uses x-rays in the diagnosis of illness an disease.) Sources Wikipedia 4 excellent pages of notes Gold From Dark Mines Irene Howat ch7 p173-p203 (ISBN 1 -85792-943-8)

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

St. Birinus was the first bishop of Dorchester. He was known as the ’ Apostle to the West Saxons’ for his conversion of the Kingdom of Wessex to Christianity. H e was a Benedictine monk. He was made bishop by Asterius in Genoa. Pope Honorius created the commission to convert the West Saxons. In 635 King Cynegils, who had allowed St. Birinus to preach and baptise his son and grandson, was trying to create an alliance with Oswald of Northumbria, a pagan king. to fight the Mercians. The ‘sticking point’ was that Oswald was a pagan. When Oswald was converted and baptised the alliance was made. St.Birinus was then given Dorchester-on-Thames as his episcopal see. He established several churches in Wessex - he supposedly aid the foundations for St. Mary’s in Reading. There is a church to St. Birinus in Calcot, Reading. That was our local church when we lived there. St, Birinus died in Dorchester on 3 December c649. Source Wikipedia

Samuel and Henrieta Barnett were social reformers, educationists and authors. They married in 1873 and the young couple went to the impoverished parish of St.Jude’s, a slum area, in Whitechapel intent on improving social conditions. The Barnetts worked hard for the poor of their parish- opening evening schools for adullts, providing them with music and entertainment, and serving on the local boards of guardians and on managing committees of schools. The Barnetts improved conditions and co-ordinated the various charities by co-operation with the Charity Organisation Society and the parish board of guardians. Between them they set up a number of organisations. 1876 The Metropolitan Association for Befriending Young Servants 1877 Children’s Fresh Air Mission established 1884 becoming Children’s County Holiday Fund 1880 Homes for Workhouse Girls started and promoted 1884 Founded the first ‘University Settlement’ at Toynbee Hall, where they now lived, in the East End of London 1888 Wrote together* Practicable Socialism * 1891 Founded London Pupil Teachers Association 1904 Hampstead Garden Suburb a model garden city Samuel served as Canon of Westminster Abbey from 1906 until his death in 1913. After Samuel’s death Henrieta carried on the good work for the next 10 years… 1914 Barnett House at Oxford (in memory of her husband In 1917 Henrietta awarded CBE and in 1924 DBE for services to social reform. Samuel and Henrietta Barnett are remembered on 17th June by C.of E. Source Wikipedia

Augustine of Hippo is one of the 4 Doctors of the church. He was one of the most intelligent men who ever lived He was born in Numidi (now Algeria) in 354. His parents were Saint Monica and Patricius, a pagan. His father, on his death bed became a Christian and died in 373 when Augustine was just 19. Augustine was rebellious and his mother prayed for 17 years before he became converted. He was educated in Cathage, then went to Rome, followed by moving to Milan where he taught rhetoric. For 10 years he was interested in Manichaeism (see notes). In Milan he listened to the sermons of Saint Ambrose. To his mother’s joy he was converted and baptised. He was 33. He and Saint Ambrose probably composed the * Te Deum.* The year was 387 when Saint Monica died. She had spent many years praying for her son before he was converted. In her last two years she saw her prayers wonderfully answered. Saint Monica died in Ostia as she and her son gazed at the sea and discoursed about the joys of the blessed. He returned to Africa. H e spent several years in communal living, teaching, meditating, fasting and praying. He ended up becoming a priest and went to Hippo as an assistant to bishop Valerius and established a monastic community. On the bishop’s death he became bishop - Augustine of Hippo. He began to write. Many of his books, all in Latin, are still available to read. Confessions and City of God are his most famous books. Confessions looks at his childhood and conversion. (See list of books) He died in 430 ,aged 76, when his city was being besieged by Vandals who had invaded the Roman Empire. Saint Augustine is considered by many to be the greatest teacher of Christian Truth after Saint Paul - writer of the epistles in the New Testament. I have included a list of his books his ideas, plus definitions for Manichaeism and Filique Gold from Dark Mines by Irene Howart ch1 pages 7-44 Sources Wikipedia and The Church’s Year by Charles Alexander Encyclopedia of Saints by Howard Loxton

Amy Carmichael was a girl from Belfast. She , with her two brothers, helped an elderly lady carry a heavy bundle. Aged 18 she, not her brothers, had a revelation, similar to Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus. ‘That day she talked to God, and settled once and for all the pattern of her future life.’ *They found the Secret *by V. Raymond Edman. She was the first missionary appointed under the Keswick .convention. She went initially to Japan, then Ceylon and then spent 55 consecutive years in Southern India. In Japan she learnt the importance of simple dress sense and appearance. In India she always dressed in saris never in western clothing. She felt the calling to save both girls and boys being used in the temples.The children were being sold to ‘marry’ the Brahmin temple priest. She first took girls then boys. The refuge was called DOHNAVUR. With other Indian women she created a hostel and hospital for children. Through her tireless effort laws were put in place to protect the children After an accident, when she broke her leg and ankle, she was confined to bed as an invalid for 20 years. She then began to write - 37 books in total Thing as they are, Meal in a barrel, Gold Cord, Though the Mountains Shake - to name just four. Amy also wrote a great deal of Christian poetry. In 2017 , 150 years after her birth, Roger Carswell, a member of the Association of Evangelists, wrote the article I have photocopied.

Jonathan Goforth,the** flaming preacher**, a Canadian and his wife Rosalind,from England, spent 46 years criss-crossing China in order to preach, teach and make disciples. The Goforths were sent to pioneer the North Henan mission in 1888. They were there during the Boxing War in 1900. Jonathan nearly lost his life - he survived having his head, neck and back being hacked by a long bladed sword when he acted as spokes person for his group. He was very fortunate not to lose his life .They returned to Canada, for a year, for him to convalesce. 1906 Jonathan, whilst preaching, felt he had to reconcile a difference with a Christian colleague. He stopped and promised the Lord he would solve the problem. Instantly the atmosphere changed- people became receptive, the meeting opened in prayer - confessions and repentance spread through the tearful congregation Wherever they ministered unbelievers became Christians. Local people were trained to evangelise, teach the Bible and make disciples. When they left they had 61 full-time Chinese evangelists and Bible teachers, two resident mission stations and 1000s of baptised and disciple converts. My sources for this information are Wikipedia and Ambassadors for Christ. There is an excellent biography of Rosalind Goforth on the wholesome words.org/missions site

Bob Gass, born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, was a Christian with a mission. He was told on his wedding day, to Debbie, that he would reach more people through his writing than his preaching. From small beginnings of 3,5OO copies in 1994 of Word for Today to MILLIONS today. He died earlier this year leaving a legacy of Word for Today, plus several years of Word for Today in note form to be used for several more years.