Vicar's Corner

Vicar's Corner: Choices

Vicar's Corner

Last Updated on Saturday, 05 May 2012 01:40 Saturday, 05 May 2012 01:30

Charles Finney, an evangelist (and lawyer) was speaking in New York in the 1830’s to a huge gathering of great lawyers.

The Chief Justice of America was among them, sitting way up in the gallery. As he listened to Finney proclaiming the gospel he became convinced it was true.

Then this question came into his mind: ‘will you go forward like the other ordinary people?’ Something within him made him think that it would be inappropriate to do so, because of his prestigious social position. He sat there pondering the choice he had to make. Then he thought ‘why not? I am convinced of the truth... I know my duty; why should I not do it like any other person?’

While Finney was still preaching, he got up from his seat in the gallery, went down the staircase, and came up the stairs at the back to where Finney was preaching. Finney turned around and saw the Chief Justice. He asked, “What is it?” The Chief Justice replied, “Mr Finney, if you will call people forward I will come.” Finney stopped his talk and said:

“The Chief Justice says that if I call people forward he will come. I ask you to come forward now.”... The Chief Justice went forward. Almost every lawyer in Rochester followed him!

It is said that 100,000 people were converted in the next twelve months in that area.

One person’s choice affected that lives of numerous others. Life is full of choices. We can make bad choices or we can make good choices. Our choices matter.  Steve.