The Issues of Life
There are many amazing stories about Peter Cartwright, an American Methodist evangelist in the 1800’s. One time He saw Abraham Lincoln in one of his meetings, and did all he could to bring this great man to Christ. Many responded to his salvation invitation at the close of the preaching but Lincoln was not among them. He took a different tack to bring Lincoln at least part of the way. “All who do not wish to go to hell will stand” he bellowed out. Surprisingly, the only person in the whole meeting not standing was the only one Cartwright was aiming for. Abraham Lincoln remained seated. Not to be put off, Peter Cartwright marched boldly up to Lincoln and before the crowd, addressed him, “May I inquire of you Mr. Lincoln where you are going?” Lincoln rose slowly “I admit that the questions propounded by Brother Cartwright are important. I did not feel called upon to answer as the rest did. Brother Cartwright asks me directly where I am going. I am going to Congress!” At the election held later that year, Lincoln scraped into Congress by 1,511 votes. He would of course go on to become one of America’s greatest Presidents.
Peter Cartwright respected public position but never bowed and scraped to it. The issues of life were all eternal to him. The destiny of a human soul was always paramount. He was bold and brazen, but only for the gospel’s sake. How much we can learn from this relatively little known man of God.
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