Today in Christian History   1541 In Switzerland, French reformer John Calvin, 32, established a theocratic government at Geneva, thereby creating a home base for emergent Protestantism throughout Europe. 1572 The first Presbyterian meeting house in England was established at Wandsworth, Surrey. 1850 Blind Fanny Crosby underwent a dramatic spiritual conversion at age 30. Fifteen years later, she began writing her first of over 8,000 hymns texts. Many of these remain popular today, including "Rescue the Perishing," "Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross," "All the Way My Savior Leads Me" and "Tell Me the Story of Jesus." 1872 The hymn penned by Annie Sherwood Hawks, 36 -- "I Need Thee Every Hour" -- was first sung at a National Baptist Sunday School Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio. 1961 The Russian Orthodox Church joined the World Council of Churches. © 1987-2001, William D. Blake. Used by permission of the author, from Almanac of the Christian Church