by Peter James | Apr 25, 2024 | Catherine of Siena
I hardly know what to make of Catherine of Siena’s (1347-1380) mysticism. While walking with her brother at age six, she had an ecstatic vision of Christ seated in glory. At seven, she devoted her life to Christ and resolved to live a celibate life. She refused...
by Peter James | Apr 24, 2024 | Basil of Caesarea
Asia Minor was afflicted with a severe drought in 368 AD, resulting in a famine in Caesarea, the city where Basil (329-379) served as bishop. He had already given away his substantial inheritance and joined a monastic order. Some of his wealthy friends hoarded their...
by Peter James | Apr 23, 2024 | John Henry Fawcett
The church was filled to overflow an hour before the service. A 1911 headline in The New York Times announced his arrival, so the press was there, expecting to hear a sensational preacher deliver a dazzling oratory. John Henry Fawcett (1864-1923) had preached at Fifth...
by Peter James | Apr 22, 2024 | William Barton
It’s a story about a poor Scrub Lady and a Millionaire who, in the author’s words, was “a self-made man who worshipeth his maker.” This Millionaire walked past the Scrub Lady often but never noticed her, “for his head was high in the air,...
by Peter James | Apr 21, 2024 | Benjamin Silliman
It was a warm, sunny morning in July 1801. They arranged to meet under the shade of elm trees on the lawn of Yale College. The college president, Timothy Dwight, requested the meeting with Benjamin Silliman (1779-1864), a former student at the school. Dr. Dwight...
