A famous Methodist evangelist named Peter Cartwright was known for his
uncompromising preaching. However, one day when the President of the United
States, Andrew Jackson, "Old rough and ready," came to Cartwright’s church, the
elders warned the Pastor not to offend the President. In those days, the
President had great power to influence a denomination for good or bad. Content,
that their Pastor would not say anything to discredit their church, the elders
retired to the back of the sanctuary.
When Cartwright got up to speak, the first words out of his mouth were, "I
understand that President Andrew Jackson is here this morning. I have been
requested to be very guarded in my remarks. Let me say this: "Andrew Jackson
will go to hell if doesn’t repent of his sin!" The entire congregation gasped
with shock at Cartwright’s boldness. How could this young preacher dare to
offend the tough old general in public, they wondered.
After the service, everyone wondered how the President would respond to
Cartwright. When Andrew Jackson met the preacher at the door he looked at him in
the eye and said, "Sir, If I had a regiment of men like you, I could conquer the
world!" When we appreciate the power of the word of God and the Holy Spirit
speaking from the lips of people with conviction we will make eternal
differences.
Paul Fritz Ppaulfritz@aol.com
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