THE BREAD BASKET

Peter Cartwright (1785-1872) was probably America's most colorful circuit riding preacher. Crowds flocked to hear him. Throughout Kentucky, Tennessee, and Illinois, Cartwright preached to hosts of men and women, speaking three hours at a stretch, several times a week. The conviction in his booming voice could make women weep and strong men tremble. It is said that ten thousand souls were added to the Kingdom as a result of his powerful preaching.

One Sunday as Cartwright was preparing to deliver his sermon, he was told that President Andrew Jackson was in the audience, and he was asked to keep his remarks soothing and inoffensive. As he got up to speak, Cartwright began by saying, "I have been told that President/Andrew Jackson is in this congregation, and I have been asked to guard my remarks. But what I must say, is that "President Andrew Jackson will go to hell if he doesn't repent of his sins." Following the service President Jackson approached Cartwright with the comment, "Sir, if I had a regiment of men like you, I could whip the world!" What holy boldness on the part of this circuit riding preacher!

Such fortitude also characterized the life and ministry of John the Baptist. Being the last of the Old Testament prophets and the forerunner of the Savior, John's fiery preaching of repentance stirred the population greatly, with resulting baptisms and thousands of transformed lives.

Early in his career, John had opposed the marriage of Herod Antipas and Herodias, the divorced wife of Herod's brother. "It is not lawful for you to have her," John had boldly proclaimed. But that bold proclamation cost The Baptist his head! At a huge birthday bash, Herod asked his stepdaughter to dance for the guests. As payment for her sensuous performance, Herod promised to give whatever she wanted. In consultation with her mother, the performer declared, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist" (Matthew 14:8). Despite his tragic ending, Jesus said of The Baptist, "Among those born of women, there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist" (Matthew 11:11).

So—have you been bold in the proclamation of your faith? And if so, what has it cost you? While boldly declaring your faith may not cost your head, Jesus said, "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matthew 10:28).