This week in Christian history: ‘Second Martin’ born, first black missionary to Africa dies
Pliny Fisk ordained – Nov. 5, 1818
This week marks the anniversary of when Pliny Fisk, an American-born missionary known for his work in the Middle East, was ordained at Tabernacle Church of Salem, Massachusetts.
A student of Andover Theological Seminary and a founding member of the Christian evangelism group Palestine Mission, Fisk was ordained at the age of 26 but did not go overseas until the following year.
After studying language in Turkey, Fisk made his way to Beirut, where he helped to distribute Bibles and engaged in translation work despite opposition from multiple religious groups.
"Catholics in the area instigated the Muslims to buy and burn all copies. Opposition peaked when a Muslim magistrate arrested Fisk and Isaac Bird for dealing in the unlawful books in 1824," noted the Christian History Institute.
"Fisk lived to see only one convert — who was soon martyred. He did manage to nearly complete an Arab-English dictionary. Contracting a fever, the missionary wrote in one of his last letters: 'The history of my life has been a history of mercies, and — of sins! My only hope is in the unmerited mercy of Christ.' He died in October 1825, just thirty-three."
