Missionary Courage

As John Taylor stood on the bow of the ship, sailing from Liverpool to America, waves crashed all around him. Lightening flashed across the sky. The boat rocked sideways. Salt spray spewed his face.  He shivered under the cold wetness.  Licking the salt from his lips, he declared: “I feel as calm as though I were sitting in the parlor at home.” He knew he would reach America.

John Taylor displayed unparalleled courage throughout his life. Wherever he ran into danger, he seemed unshaken by it. Whether dispelling mobsters in Ohio with their tar and feathers or staving off blazing guns in Carthage Jail, his bravery remained constant. He could preach a powerful sermon in Paris, France, and dodge the gendarmes an hour later as he slipped out of town.

His greatest love was to preach the gospel to his fellow men. When he was young, he had a dream where he saw an angel flying through the midst of heaven. He didn’t know what it meant until he was baptized. Then he could not be stopped from sharing this good news.

“And this gospel shall be preached unto every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people. And the servants of God shall go forth, saying with a loud voice: Fear God and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment is come.” 133:37 – 38

This was his cause, and it is ours. May we never forget his example. May we remember his zeal and apply it in our own lives.