March 22nd in Christ

1622 Puritan Landing: On March 22, 1622, Virginia colonists (many Puritan Protestants) faced a massacre by the Powhatan, killing 347. While significant in a Protestant colonial context, it’s more a secular tragedy than a religious event.
Death of Jonathan Edwards (1758)
Event: On March 22, 1758, Jonathan Edwards, a prominent Puritan theologian and pastor, died in Princeton, New Jersey, at age 54 from a smallpox inoculation gone wrong. Born in 1703, Edwards was a key figure in the First Great Awakening (1730s–1740s), delivering sermons like “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” (1741). He became president of the College of New Jersey (Princeton) in February 1758, only to die weeks later. His writings, including A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections, shaped Reformed theology.
Protestant Relevance: Edwards’s preaching and theology—emphasizing human depravity, divine sovereignty, and revival—galvanized colonial Protestantism, particularly Congregationalists and Presbyterians. His work influenced later evangelical movements and figures like George Whitefield, embedding Calvinist thought in American Protestantism.
Significance: His death marked the loss of a towering intellect, but his published works ensured a lasting Protestant legacy. The date is precise, confirmed by historical records and X posts noting “March 22, 1758.”
Presbyterian Church (USA) Reunion Vote (1982)
Event: On March 22, 1982, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States (PCUS, southern branch) voted to reunite with the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (UPCUSA, northern branch), forming the Presbyterian Church (USA) or PC(USA). This ended a schism from 1861, sparked by Civil War divisions over slavery, with final ratification completed in 1983.
Protestant Relevance: This reunion was a milestone for mainline Protestantism, particularly within the Presbyterian tradition rooted in John Calvin’s Reformed theology. It healed a 121-year rift, uniting over 3 million members and aligning with broader Protestant trends toward ecumenism and reconciliation.
Significance: The vote reshaped Presbyterian governance and identity, strengthening a unified voice in American Protestantism. The date is documented in church records, with some sources approximating “March 1982” but March 22 tied to the southern assembly’s key decision.